Under the Radar Prospects You Need to Know

<p>New York high school basketball is packed with some of the most exciting and talented players in the country, yet some players still seem to fly under the radar despite their undeniable skills. Let's take a closer look at some underrated New York high school girls basketball players who are making a big impact early this season and who you should be watching.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">If you're looking for a player who can do it all, [player_tooltip player_id='884356' first='Quinn' last='Pence'] is the one to watch. Her all-around game is a coach's dream, and her court vision and high basketball IQ make her an ideal point guard. She acts as the court commander and helps her team get into the flow of the offense. She handles the ball well, draws defenders in and effectively finds her open teammates. Pence is also capable of creating her own shot off the dribble which is extremely valuable, especially with the shot clock in play. She is an excellent passer and consistently opens up offensive opportunities for her teammates. Her pull up jumper is also an impressive move in her toolkit. Additionally, she can catch the ball and attack the rim, finishing strong at the basket thanks to her quickness. I'm not sure there's anything she can't do. Beyond scoring, she is a quick and tenacious defender who challenges players on the ball. She remains highly active off the ball flying in to grab offensive and defensive rebounds and diving for loose balls. In a recent game against Nichols, Pence recorded 11 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Last year, she was a CCAA Division 1 East First-Team pick and averaged 12.9 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.3 steals per game for Randolph.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='415799' first='Molly' last='Keane'] is seriously underrated in my opinion. She's the kind of player who doesn't always grab the headlines, but when you watch her play you quickly realize she's a threat in every aspect of the game. Keane can score at all three levels – from hitting a smooth mid-range jumper to knocking down threes or finishing at the rim. Despite being listed as 5'11" (which I thought might be a bit generous), she can hold her own against players who are 6 feet tall or more, especially on the defensive end. What stands out most about Keane is her poise and patience on offense. She's not one to force shots. She takes what the defense gives her, and she's excellent at using quick bursts of speed to blow by defenders. Her ability to change pace and use crafty fakes makes her a nightmare to guard. She's clever with her footwork and ball fakes which allows her to navigate through traffic and get to the basket with ease. In addition to her scoring ability, Keane is a fantastic playmaker. She has some of the most crisp passes you'll see and always puts the ball in the right spot for her teammates. Her court vision is exceptional, and she consistently makes the correct read to keep the offense flowing smoothly. Keane is a true all-around player who deserves far more recognition.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://vimeo.com/801047178 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Emily Costanzo is a relentless defender who brings so much energy to the floor. Not only does she excel at bringing the ball up and getting the offense flowing, but she's also highly active and engaged in every play. She doesn't take possessions off – she's always in the mix pressuring the ball and making things happen on both ends of the court. Offensively, she's a serious threat from beyond the arc with a smooth three-point shot, and she has the ability to attack the basket and finish with contact. She makes some nice dishes to her teammates when drawing the defense on her drives. On defense, her scrappiness is a game-changer. She's always in the right place at the right time, leading to a ton of steals and fast-break opportunities. She's an absolute hustler diving for loose balls, challenging every shot and never letting up. There's almost nothing more valuable on a team than that kind of effort and energy. Last season, she averaged 9.4 points and 4.3 assists per game for Moore Catholic, and it's clear she brings so much more to the table than just numbers. Whether she's scoring, facilitating, or making plays on defense, her all-around game and relentless hustle make her one of the most valuable players on the floor.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='422278' first='Brooke' last='Pfeiffer'] was named MVP of the Sleepy Hollow Tournament last weekend, and it's easy to see why after her standout performance in the semifinal game where she put up an impressive stat line of 22 points and 14 rebounds. She's another player who can truly do it all. Pfeiffer has a knack for getting to the basket and playing through contact, whether it's on a strong drive or a sharp cut to the basket. She can also catch in the post and make a powerful move on the block. What makes Pfeiffer even more dangerous is her ability to stretch the floor. She's a legitimate threat from the perimeter, but it's her mid-range jumper that really sets her apart. Whether she's catching and shooting or pulling up off the dribble, Pfeiffer's smooth shot is tough to contest. She has great footwork and a quick release, making her a versatile scorer from anywhere on the court. In transition, Pfeiffer is comfortable leading the break and shows excellent court vision and the ability to make the right play at the right time. As a junior, Pfeiffer is only going to get better, and she's someone you'll definitely want to keep an eye on this season.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1267311' first='Arielle' last='Lopez'] is a quick, shifty point guard with some seriously impressive ball-handling skills. Despite her size, she's crafty finishing around the rim and uses a soft touch off the backboard. Her court vision is top-notch — she sees the floor really well and consistently makes great passes that result in assists. Defensively, she's a scrappy player who's always challenging the ball and coming up with steals. Her quickness and ability to pressure the ball make her a constant threat on the defensive end of the floor. On offense, Lopez is tough to guard. She has a variety of moves and uses her handles to deceive defenders and drive to the basket. Lopez also has a beautiful shot. She showcased her shooting range and perimeter threat at the Art Turner Event as she hit shots with confidence. She's one of those players who can impact the game in a variety of ways whether it's setting up her teammates, scoring, or making plays on defense. She is definitely someone to keep an eye on.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtube.com/shorts/959hmI5HEjs?si=pxF-FBgodA6MmRCj </div></figure>    <p></p>

New York high school basketball is packed with some of the most exciting and talented players in the country, yet some players still seem to fly under the radar despite their undeniable skills. Let's take a closer look at some underrated New York high school girls basketball players who are making a big impact early this season and who you should be watching.