Step Up Day: VT's Class of 2028 Watchlist

It's that time of year where the freshmen found out just what the next level is all about. Learn about VT's freshmen class and those poised to separate themselves from the pack.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250020' first='Kayla' last='Cisse'], 5'10 W - South Burlington H.S.   A rangy player with guard skills, smooth athleticism, and the ability to guard 2-4, Kayla is the modern wing. The handle and the jumper are smooth, the IQ is all there, and her frame plus athleticism combined with the skillset is a tough cover. Cisse is unfortunately out with an injury through the new year, but I hope we see her sooner than later. A top player in her class.   Orly Nathan, 5'8 G - Burr and Burton Academy   Orly is a PG with all the ingredients to control a game. Sound facilitation, a good sense of tempo and situation, and the ability to make plays. A dynamic scorer who doesn't force the issue, Nathan creates offense and it flows into everyone's hands on the court. A wise team defender who's measured in her pressure, Orly will likely be an integral part of BBA's Varsity group.   Evelyn Bushey, 5'10 F - Milton H.S.   Coming with toughness paired with a splash of finesse, Evelyn occupies both worlds. She can battle under the rim as a rebounder and finisher, yet she has touch and footwork to go with and a jumper which reaches 15-feet or so. Bushey brings that toughness as a rim protector too, working well in 1-on-1 and in help situations. A fundamental foundation.   Lexi Paquette, 5'7 G - South Burlington H.S.   With her positive wingspan, intensity, and ability to hit the 3 or slash for 2s, Paquette has two-way game. I like her aggressiveness to create offense both in the halfcourt and off her defense, proving herself as a reliable scorer and distributor. That aggressiveness is evident defensively too as she looks to create chaos without gambling too much. I like her upside a lot.   Rowan Thomas-Demeritt, 5'5 G - Burlington H.S.   Rowan is on pace to be that cunning PG with her scoring toolkit, heady approach, and apparent feel for the game. She's someone who doesn't force the issue yet knows when to be aggressive, a tough balance for anyone but especially this age. She's got sound finishing at the rim and her shot is crip off the bounce coming into the mid-range. Plus, she sees the floor well and knows when advantages will open. A tough player with a zest for hoop.   Greta Nolan, 5'5 G - North Country Union H.S.   Scrappy, intuitive and based in fundamental team basketball, Greta is a gluey hustle player who elevates those around her. Nolan's movement off the ball is well-developed and when she gets the ball in a gap she can finish inside or make the next pass for an even better look. Add in her relentless and smart team defense and she's that player who ties the cause together.   Taraji Bradley, 5'6 G - Winooski H.S.   Probably the most explosive athlete in the bunch, Taraji is a blur. Her open court playmaking is special already with emphasis on her highly efficient scoring at the rim going to either hand. In the halfcourt, the slashing doesn't slow down because her handle and quickness create endless opportunities. An impressive athlete who plays both ends.   Owliyo Sharif, 5'7 G - Burlington H.S.   A shifty guard with a knack for getting to the rim, Sharif can get a bucket. Both in transition or by utilizing ball screens, Owliyo is adept at snaking inside and finishing plays either with the pass, the lay, or at the FT line. Plus, she's shown she can hit the 3 too. Defensively, she can disrupt passing lanes with her length and open up plentiful transition opportunities. A scoring guard who distributes well too.   Sophia Derby, 5'10 W/F - Richford H.S.   When I've seen Sophia play it's often been against older kids, yet she plays without fear. Derby's aggression to clean the boards, recover 50/50 balls and defend elicits praise and high intensity play from those around her. While her offensive skillset is still a bit raw, she's shown the ability to drive and finish from the perimeter and move intuitively into gaps around the paint. A fun watch.   Amelia Rockwood, 5'6 G - Windsor H.S.   Amelia has basketball in her blood, and having two older sisters who hoop at a high level means she's been through the gauntlet plenty of times. She's a hardnosed guard with sound ball skills, solidifying herself as an important presence in orchestrating the offense and defending the point of attack. High IQ, fundamental, and a competitor.   Asher Gouala, 5'8 G/W - Burlington H.S.   Asher's steady demeanor fits her steady game. Gouala is ready to fill in wherever is needed, whether she needs to bring the ball up, create offense, or lock in as a defender and rebounder. When she's on the floor she impacts every play, using her wit in addition to her length and athleticism. A fundamental player who finishes plays but doesn't force the issue.

It's that time of year where the freshmen found out just what the next level is all about. Learn about VT's freshmen class and those poised to separate themselves from the pack.