Live at The Hive : 15U Standouts
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Some of the state’s rising 9th graders (and a few younger than that) were in action this past Saturday in Edmond at The Hive. Some small school up-and-comers as well as some girls that already have made their mark in…
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Continue ReadingSome of the state’s rising 9th graders (and a few younger than that) were in action this past Saturday in Edmond at The Hive. Some small school up-and-comers as well as some girls that already have made their mark in 6A. I went to check it out and here are a few players that impressed me the most.
Lilly Judd Lilly Judd 5'10" | PF Choctaw | 2027 OK
Lilly Judd Lilly Judd 5'10" | PF Choctaw | 2027 OK
A Freshman at Choctaw, Lilly was tenacious on the glass in the games I watched. There were several shots that as they came off the rim, she was not who I would have envisioned coming up with it, but she got to them anyways. Was able to stop some fast breaks by sheer hustle. Creates space for herself well, and hit one from downtown against OK Legacy. Truly attacks the glass well enough to get ten to twelve easy points a game, pair that with some offensive skills that she is showing and she is going to be very hard to guard going forward.
Conference freshman of the year at Deer Creek, Adriana is a “big” problem. Skies for rebounds, swats shots out of the air, and starts fast breaks with ease. Elite level pick-and-roll instincts, was basically unguardable as the roller.
Terrific shooter off the dribble. Swarm team has good ball movement and Emma consistently had people backpedaling. Hit a few shots from outside, but really excels when she puts it on the floor. Has a free-throw line floater or can take it all the way to the bucket. Has a shoulder-fake post move from the mid-post that is very hard to defend.
Jacky Penaran
Jacky Penaran
Lomega coach Kevin Lewallen once told me that one of the reasons for Lomega’s success is that their players “figure out where the ball should go”. Jacky, who plays for Lewallen at Lomega, exemplifies this mantra well, as players know that when the ball is in her hands good things happen. Great court vision, good skip passes. Was able to make the bottom of the zone shift and throw some no look passes diagonally. Jacky would be a very fun player to play with as a post player, expect big things going forward.
Anna Mitchell
Anna Mitchell
Just a 7th grader, Anna did not look out of place at all in games full of mostly Freshmen. She is part of a terrific dynamic duo at K-8 Middleberg, who made it to the ORES State Semi-Finals this season. Very long for a 7th grader, but really excels as a swingman. Great at guarding the perimeter, capable of bringing the ball down the floor, hit a few shots from outside. As her finishing in the paint improves the sky is the limit.
Jazlyn Menifee
Jazlyn Menifee
Jazz is a matchup problem in a big way for other freshmen. The Swarm, despite having a ton of size, have Jazlyn as their top scoring option on out of bounds plays and she was able to put two points on the board in most situations. A strong guard, once she gets momentum she is tough to stop. Very active hands, killer in the passing lanes.
Okeene 8th grader was mixing it up with freshman this weekend and coming out on top. Plays basketball like a halfback. Really works hard to get downhill, hard for people to keep her out of the lane without fouling her. Very small guard, hopefully she still has a few inches to grow, but it wasn’t stopping her from making things happen in the paint. Fun player to watch.
Highlights
Riley Hicks
Riley Hicks
One of those players that you can immediately pinpoint as a coach’s kid. Father coaches the boys team at Waukomis. Very good passer and game manager, keeps the offense flowing but not afraid to pull it from three. As her strength and motor get better with age, should be able to contribute early in high school.