Midseason Review: Scoring Surprises

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='999504' first='Jayda' last='Kempf'] (2027) from Our Lady of Providence High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the new year, most Indiana girls' basketball teams are at about the halfway point in terms of the number of games they've played. With that said, I wanted to take a moment to look back at the action from November &amp; December, and to point out some standout individuals from around the state. These aren't necessarily prospects we didn't see performing well; however, they are performing so well beyond expectations, that I felt it was worth highlighting them. Below is a look at players who fall into this category when it comes to scoring the basketball. I am using what has been provided through MaxPreps, so if your coaches don't enter information for you to be considered, that is why you are omitted here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1144630"],"_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-695293ee2781a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nyomi burst onto the scene last season as a Freshman, averaging 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, helping to rejuvenate a Lady Giants program that had won just 8 games over the previous 4 seasons combined prior to her arrival. This year, she has taken it another step...or should I say leap...forward. The 6-foot wing is averaging 29.5 points so far this season, increasing her output by more than 10 points per game. Additionally, she has nearly doubled her assists (<em>from 2.7 to 4.5</em>), she is shooting an impressive 58% from the field, and she has raised her free throw shooting by 10% as well. I would expect this Class of 2028 member to have several Division I schools interested and in attendance at her games this Spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263959"],"_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-695293ee278cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the toughest things to do going from 8th Grade ball to Varsity action is adjusting to the size and speed of the game. It appears as though Arianna has done that just fine so far for St. Joe. She is averaging a whopping 27.9 points per game so far, incredible for a Freshman, but she has also been consistent. Her lowest output was 12 points, with her high game being 46 points, but most of her outings have been in the high 20s or low 30s. She is definitely a "must see" for general basketball fans. She is long, quick &amp; shifty, and she is a creative playmaker/scorer who is just a joy to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263963"],"_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-695293ee27935"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When evaluating incoming Freshman throughout the Spring &amp; Summer, Riley stood out because of her size and skill. She is a smooth shooter, she has some ball skill, and she is comfortable playing a true wing position or operating in the mid-post. Considering Hamilton Heights has a great deal of young talent, I expected her to make an impact, but at 23.5 points per game against a solid schedule, she has really stepped up above and beyond for a rookie. As she continues to grow her game and becomes more dynamic off the dribble, I would look for her to become a matchup problem with her ability to play around the perimeter so easily.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999504"],"_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-695293ee2799b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Providence had a rare losing season last year, but Jayda is trying to rectify that this year. After starting the season 2-3, they have won five of their last six games, with the lone loss being by a single point in double OT to a strong Brownstown Central program. Jayda is a strong guard who has worked hard on developing her handle and creativity. She has increased her scoring by nearly 9 points per game this year (<em>from 14.1 to 22.9</em>), plus she is averaging a career high in assists (<em>3.4 apg</em>). She is a capable perimeter shooter, but her ability to be effective at all three levels puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. I would expect several elite small colleges to show interest this Spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alexis Harris","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Spencer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695293ee27a80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alexis had a really solid Sophomore year for South Spencer, but her play this season has put her on our radar to potentially be added to our 2027 watch list in the next week or so. She has nice length, some speed &amp; quickness, and she is capable of getting her team into its offense or providing that offense herself. She has increased her scoring from 12.3 points per game as a Sophomore to 20.4 points per game this season, plus she is shooting a blistering 39% (<em>39-101</em>) from 3-point range. With a recent transfer addition at South Spencer eligible in January, look for Alexis to potentially find shots even easier, if that is possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->