Arapahoe/Grandview Fall League Week 1: 2028 Varsity Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was very exciting to watch the Arapahoe/Grandview fall league games get underway on Monday. This league has some of the best teams and players this state has to offer on the girls basketball stage. On night one I was able to watch: Cherokee Trail (2024 6A Final 4), Arapahoe Rock Canyon (2024 6A Final 4), (2024 6A Sweet 16) ThunderRidge (2024 6A Sweet 16), and D'Evelyn (2024 4A Final 4). Amidst all this talent some freshman really stepped up and showed they can more than hang at this level. Let's check it out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='1156412' first='Maily' last='Smith']","_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":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"ThunderRidge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='715876' first='Mountain' last='West 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-66e0a481c00ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have seen [player_tooltip player_id='1156412' first='Maily' last='Smith'] play with [program_tooltip program_id='712469' first='Colorado' last='Premier'] many times over the years and I was very impressed with her aggressiveness and bravery on Monday night. With numbers low due to fall sports Maily got the rare opportunity to start varsity as a freshman and she definitely made the most of it. She recorded 7 points but it was the ball handling, playmaking, and offensive rebounds that were the most stunning. Maily showed no fear - Her "play of the game" came in the first half in the form of a killer right to left crossover that ended with a beautiful pass to a teammate for a layup on the right block. Bright future ahead for this talented player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792765"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-66e0bdc95d2d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graycin does not play like a freshman. In fact, I was already impressed with her game before finding out that this will be her first high school season. Graycin competed hard in the first game against a tough Cherokee Trail team, but really came alive in game #2 against Arapahoe. She scored 7 points and showed a ton of poise, especially in half-court situations. Graycin's high basketball IQ was on full display - She took good care of the ball, was strong with the ball, drove to the rim with confidence and just always seemed to make the right play. The sky's the limit for this impressive frosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792722"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-66e0bdc95d359"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maddie showed a ton of potential on Monday night. She is strong &amp; physical and expressed no fear on the floor. Defensively, she competed hard, often getting on the ground for 50/50 balls. However, Maddie's confidence shooting the 3 ball appears to be her bread and butter right now - She hit 2 tough ones against a quality Cherokee Trail team. A promising career lies ahead for this young guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792721"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-66e0bdc95d3c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to earn varsity time as a freshman, especially at a talented program like Arapahoe - But Maria's basketball IQ, size, length, and raw talent show that she belongs. Trueman led all the freshman varsity contributors on Monday with 11 points, including an effortless, deep 3 ball. Maria moves well without the ball and defensively showed the ability to guard multiple positions. Don't be surprised to see her continue to earn more varsity minutes moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792716"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-66e20a2b4301f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's a lot to be excited about with [player_tooltip player_id='792716' first='Caia' last='Campbell']. She is a lefty shooter with deep range and unlimited confidence. Her play oozes with energy and high level effort. Defensively, Campbell looked comfortable guarding Rock Canyon's lead or off guards and occasionally a small forward, which showed her versatility as an athlete. Combine all that with Caia's willingness to sacrifice her body to get the ball, and you have a special combination. Look for Caia to have a great freshman season at Arapahoe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->