They Got Next: 2028s (and 29) Ready to be Great (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If one has seen the Prep Girls Hoops&nbsp;Kentucky&nbsp;website as of late, one has probably noticed an abundance of content relating to the state's robust 2028 and 2029 classes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fittingly enough, these articles are also being penned around the same time that the Bluegrass State is fresh off hosting its Freshman Showcase in Louisville at MidAmerica Sports Center East. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2024-25 academic and athletic calendars having commenced, it is especially never too early to begin previewing the upcoming season as well. The laundry list of 2028s and 2029s is one of the big stories of the upcoming season and we spotlight a few of them here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["963033"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":658835,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c20872ec64e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The AAU season is in the rear view mirror and Baldwin spent her spring and summer on the travel circuit running with Arctic Rush – an organization that is based in Ohio but has Ohio and Kentucky kids on the roster. One key element to Baldwin's game is her ability to drain 3-pointers. If she has the ball behind the arc, expect her to take and make her attempt from downtown. Baldwin brings a formidable game in the mid-range and also delivers exceptional court vision. She was part of a Shelby Valley team that finished 18-11 last season (11-4 on the road). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1305035' first='Lainey' last='Hall']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Jeffersontown HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c20872ec749"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jeffersontown encountered struggles last season, but a bright spot did emerge for the Chargers that should have the program looking to a very likely bright future. Hall averaged 9.3 points per game. She has the ability to keep defenses guessing. When guarding Hall, one has to ask themselves if she will attempt a long-range jumper or if she will attack the rim. Hall primarily operates at the two in the backcourt. If what she displayed last season is how much her game has developed in her seventh grade season, imagine the problems Hall will present for opponents when she becomes fully established into the high school game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["961289"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c20872ec7e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The stock on Buckman is all buy, buy and buy. She was part of a 2023-24 Bardstown rendition that concluded the season with a 22-7 record along with going 8-1 in their district. Buckman has ran on the grassroots circuit with Kentucky Premier and is a two-sport athlete. Whether it is on the basketball court or the soccer pitch, Buckman is one to watch. She has the ability to score the basketball at all three levels. Her 3-point shooting is definitely appropriate given she plays primarily as a two guard. Buckman's floor running abilities and passing ability compliments her scoring proficiency. She averaged 17.7 points last season for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["961302"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c20872ec860"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> There were not too many 2028s that had more noteworthy seasons than this young up-and-comer from the north-central part of the Commonwealth. Courtney averaged 17.4 points in 2023-24 for an Elizabethtown team that concluded the season with a 17-13 record. Even though she plays for a Kentucky team, she ran on the club circuit with an organization out of the state to the Bluegrass State's south – Tennessee Flight Silver 15U EYBL. Courtney delivers impressive handles with the ball and knows how to find a way to get to the rim. She displays an ability to score at all three levels and a number of the shots she will make can be of the tougher variety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":656950,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='974075' first='Alicia' last='Mangrum']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"DuPont Manual HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='712592' first='Kentucky' last='Premier']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c20872ec92c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mama, there goes that Mangrum. A couple of Kentucky's premier 2028s wore the purple and teal Grace James uniform last season. Mangrum was one of those – and she averaged an astounding 19.2 points per game. In more ways than one, Mangrum was a GEM. She will trade purple and teal for red next season as Mangrum will bring her many talents to DuPont Manual this coming season. The Crimsons finished with a 20-9 record in 2023-24 and a 5-1 district mark. Mangrum is a consistent rim attacker, she can change speeds with the ball and has an accurate 3-point shot. If she continues to put up numbers like she did last season as a GEM, the phrase “offered by…” will be mentioned consistently by her name as her high school career blossoms. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->