Steady and Ready: 5 Semi Under-the-Radar 2024s I’m High On
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These five 2024’s are battle tested and I’ve had many of them on my personal radar for years. They don’t always get the limelight, often due to their willingness to sacrifice stats for wins. But their time has come. Check…
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Continue ReadingThese five 2024’s are battle tested and I’ve had many of them on my personal radar for years. They don’t always get the limelight, often due to their willingness to sacrifice stats for wins. But their time has come. Check out these five gamers.
Merrill Jacobs Merrill Jacobs 5'7" | SF Champlain Valley Union | 2024 State NewE , 5’9 W – Champlain Valley Union H.S. Class of 2024
Steady, reliable, high-IQ, the list goes on with Merrill. Jacobs is one the most consistent players around and she’s plug and play. I’ve seen her initiate offense, operate from the low or high post and make plays, or make wise reads off ball for cuts and spot-up jumpers. The sound decision maker has steadily contributed around 12-15 ppg. with 5-7 rebounds and a number of assists + steals to go with. CVU is undefeated with two nice wins against out-of-state opponents. Merrill has been integral.
Ruby Dasaro Ruby Dasaro 5'7" Bellows Free Academy | 2024 State NewE , 5’7 G – BFA St. Albans Class of 2024
An athletic PG who thrives in an up-and-down tempo, Dasaro’s two-way play has helped BFA roll into a four-game winning streak. Ruby’s ability to get ahead of the pack in transition, whether its off of turnovers or rebounds, is key to BFA’s success. Moreover, she’s a savvy finisher in the halfcourt and her shot off the catch is solid. Dasaro has contributed around 15+ ppg. this season and a good deal of that is boosted by her defensive activity.
Brooke’lyn Robinson Brooke’lyn Robinson 5'7" | SG Lyndon Institute | 2024 State NewE , 5’8 G – Lyndon Institute Class of 2024
Brooke’lyn has not been messing around. Lyndon is 4-1, only dropping a game to D1 Colchester in the season opener. Robinson’s hot shooting from deep has been a key theme to her success this year, putting together a number of games with 3+ treys including two 28-point performances. Incredibly so, she’s a rather efficient shooter even with all her usage. That stems from smart decision making and quick reads of defensive coverage. I’m excited to see how Brooke’lyn and LI fare as they enter their league schedule.
Kaia Anderson Kaia Anderson 5'9" | SF St. Johnsbury | 2024 State NewE , 5’9 W – St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2024
The swiss-army knife out of the Northeast corner of VT is someone who does a lot of the dirty work to keep this St. J team operating smoothly. Kaia’s a constant force on the glass and a versatile defender who covers 2-4 on the ball while adding heady help defense. On the offensive end, Anderson will put together a quiet 10+ points off of smart dives to the basket, second chance opportunities, and little spot-up jumpers. Yet it’s her passing and movement that greases the wheels most often. St. J is 5-2 and still among my favorites in D1.
Maya Auger Maya Auger 5'8" | CG North Country Union | 2024 State NewE , 5’8 G – North Country Union H.S. Class of 2024
Providing 10-12 ppg., Auger’s a constant threat from deep with microwave tendencies. She’s able to go on a run in a flash whether she’s on the ball or off, and Maya finds her offense with wise spot-ups, cuts in and out of the lane, and savvy misdirection to open space from 3. With all the attention she garners on the perimeter, Auger has demonstrated nice court awareness with skip passes and feeds ahead of rotations. She’s a smart defensive player too, and when she gets gritty on that side it elevates her game. NCU is 5-1 and the only loss is to a close one really good D1 MMU team. Keep watch.