2026 Breakout Candidates 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior rankings are out. The AIA season kicks off in about two weeks from today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we take a look at some of the juniors who can breakout for different reasons but definitely needed to produce for their teams to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754705' first='Ashley' last='Shaw'] Desert Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PG1 this season is one of the top pure passers in the junior class. She will get her opportunity this season and a lot will be on her shoulders to come through when needed. She can shoot it from distance, thread the needle to a teammate and drive it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582389' first='Madison' last='Gordon'] Phoenix Country Day (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A talented small school has two committed seniors with Owens and Kaibara. Gordon has a big opportunity to play off of the two guards and cash in on catch threes. She is mostly a specialist from the arc but can get on the glass to score on put backs and plays a cerebral brand of ball. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489170' first='Brooke' last='Nowak'] Notre Dame Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the loss of a couple starters to the transfer portal and injuries, Nowak is lined up for a big season. Not many shoot it better from the three point line plus from mid-range. She will play off of McCracken perfectly and don't be surprised she has multiple 20+ point games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1052279' first='Angel' last='Amarillas'] Walden Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A newly discovered power forward is skilled with some size. She is basically in the dictionary of a breakout candidate. She is not very well known even in Tucson and will be one of their leaders for the team with her perimeter shooting and rebounding leading to scores with advanced post footwork. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='925238' first='Corri' last='Jones'] Williams Field</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high motored power forward will fill the shoes as much as she can for forward graduate LaToya Brooks. She rebounds the ball at a good clip in and out of her area and then will outlet and sprint the court. She will score in transition, rip thru and runs better then most.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='598325' first='Karis' last='Hurd'] Chandler</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical undersized power forward is another that has to fill some much needed production with one of the top players transferring. She will not back down from contact and will score thru a bump. She plays with a plus IQ, physicality and toughness.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->