This Season's 5 Fan Favorite Freshmen Pt. 1

Our quarterly rankings are coming for the 2028 class and its almost perfectly aligned with the season's start. Social media is playing a much larger role in exposure, especially in the last few years. Yesterday, there was a post on Instagram inquiring about top freshmen talent and there was an overwhelming response from the community. Below are some popular freshmen names to know as the season approaches.   Be sure to check out our Instagram page: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pghnewengland/">https://www.instagram.com/pghnewengland/</a>   Use code MBG30 for 30% off your first purchase of any subscription    [player_tooltip player_id='979232' first='Zaida' last='Aponte'] (2028) | CG | Rogers   A combo guard that competes at a high level. Zaida is a natural playmaker that gets going quickly off the dribble drive action. She attacks closeouts vigorously. Aponte can find her shot off the dribble or be in a catch & shoot position. Zaida is a stellar defender as well. She picks up ball handlers way out and doesn't mind guarding in isolation possessions. Primary ballhandlers who aren't careful will get the ball plucked if they don't protect the ball. Aponte is a tremendous talent for a freshman. Rogers has a young rising star coming into the year.     [player_tooltip player_id='975844' first='Genesis' last='Castro'] (2028) | CG | Bay View Academy   An athletic bullish guard that operates as a primary ball handler and brings a spark with her dominating scoring. She's able to create angles while getting defenders on her hip with great dexterity. The combo moves Castro can string together are astonishing. She hits big shots out of these dribble moves and then gets back on defense to guard opposing team's best perimeter players. Genesis is agile while in a low defensive stance. She springs into position to make plays on the ball. Castro is a name to know in Rhode Island.     Yet another of Rhode Island's future stars here. Zareia is a sensational young talent with fluent movements laterally with the ball. She has an extraordinarily prominent sequence of dribbles that make it hard for defenders to stay in front of her. Colome hits stunning shots after these mixy dribbles that inject the team with jolting energy. The #5 combo guard in the '28 class is a player with amazing potential. She carves out lanes to the basket and when the help steps up, Zareia can easily dump a pass off to one of her teammates. Pawtucket has one more star that can light the city up.     [player_tooltip player_id='975770' first='Addison' last='Brennan'] (2028) | 6'3 C | WMA   Where to start with the incredibly talented Brennan? Not too long ago she was written about, but that report is now insignificant. Addison has extended her range far beyond what's normal for someone 6'3+. The addition of a reliable 3-point shot has made her even more of a must-know talent. What's scary about Addison's game is she shoots it so well from beyond that she can now confidently raise the volume on the 3-point attempts this year. She's still a great sealer and has a tremendous jump-hook. Brennan likes to make herself available by calling for the ball no matter where she's at on the floor. Point guards can't miss a target like her. Defensively, Brennan provides the necessary presence to deter shots from creators or opposing bigs on the block. She is a true shot-swatter and a security blanket for perimeter players funneling drivers towards her. WMA will encourage Addisson to further her game to new heights as she continues to polish her full offensive arsenal through the season.     McKenna O'Neil (2028) | SG | GCDS   O'Neil is a fantastic 2-way player in the '28 class. She provides stable shooting on the perimeter and can attack the second line of defense after attacking the hard closeouts. McKenna is a multisport athlete, so the athleticism is oozing out. She flies out in transition and can make some timely passes to teammates that put them in the best position to score. On defense, O'Neil uses her athletic frame to dart around the floor. McKenna is super reactive on the balls of her feet. She moves as the ball moves and is everywhere the ball happens to land. O'Neil is relentless when hounding weaker ballhandlers and wants to create turnovers. This is a freshman to keep an eye on as the season progresses. O'Neil already has experience on the varsity level, so she will be able to come in and produce even though she's a young prospect.

Our quarterly rankings are coming for the 2028 class and its almost perfectly aligned with the season's start. Social media is playing a much larger role in exposure, especially in the last few years. Yesterday, there was a post on Instagram inquiring about top freshmen talent and there was an overwhelming response from the community. Below are some popular freshmen names to know as the season approaches.