4A & 5A Playoff Prodigies: Underclassmen Steal the Show

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have capped off the high school season with eight state champions, ranging from rural divisions to 7A. While champions were crowned, the postseason also showcased many rising stars. Several underclassmen delivered standout performances through districts and regionals, proving they are next in line. Here are a few from 4A &amp; 5A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["873422"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1214382,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67d0e5be597ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='873422' first='Cherish' last='Wiggins'] is an athletic, slashing wing who is exciting to watch, especially during her playoff run to the regional championship. She scored 27 points in the district championship, 21 in the regional quarterfinals, and 15 in the regional semifinals, recording a double-double in two of those three games. Wiggins is a force when she has the ball in her hands</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221627"],"_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-67d0e5be59819"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='221627' first='Vanessa' last='VanCott'] finished the season ranked 15th nationally in PPG with 31.8 and 21st nationally in free throws made with 180. No matter where you play, those are top-tier stats. And she didn't slow down in the playoffs. Her four-game run leading up to the regional championship included performances of 37, 20, 29, and 30 points, followed by an 11-point outing in the regional final. Those numbers speak for themselves, and as only a sophomore, we have two more years to watch this prolific scorer put up video game-like numbers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727591"],"_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-67d0e5be59864"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">(Cover Photo) [player_tooltip player_id='727591' first='Jaiden' last='Peterson'] is one of the most skilled and smoothest freshmen in the state, leading her team to a regional final appearance. She scored in double digits in six straight games leading up to the regional championship, while also recording at least five assists and three steals in each of those games. Her ability to impact the game in so many ways is incredibly mature for her age, and she will be a name everyone knows heading into next season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880384"],"_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-67d0e5be598d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='880384' first='Jada' last='Clardy'] is one of the top 2028 prospects in the nation and already holds multiple Division I offers. She played a crucial role in leading her team to the regional finals, where she posted 20 points and 6 rebounds. In the regional semifinals, she delivered a dominant 19-point, 20-rebound performance, followed by 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals in the regional quarterfinals. Clardy has been BALLING and has put the entire state on notice—remember the name</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["968076"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1214997,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67d23a9a40d41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='968076' first='Alysya' last='Smith'] has averaged 14.1 PPG this season for a high-scoring Leesburg team—all as a freshman. Her sharpshooting ability and physical presence make her a matchup problem every game, which was evident in the regional semifinals, where she scored 16 points, and in the regional quarterfinals, where she added 13. She is one of the top 2028 prospects who has put everyone on notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["927189"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67d23a9a40da8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='927189' first='Trezure' last='Reese'] played a key role in leading Blanche Ely to the regional final, where they narrowly fell by just two points. She nearly averaged a double-double on the season with 11.4 PPG and 9.3 RPG, and that consistency carried over into the playoffs. In the three games leading up to the regional championship, she grabbed at least nine rebounds in each game and scored in double digits in two of them. Reese left it all on the floor with her gritty, high-energy playstyle, constantly finding ways to impose her will against her matchups</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->