Fresh Faces, Real Impact: 2029s Making Noise Early

The jump to varsity can be a tough one, but this group of 2029s has wasted no time carving out meaningful roles for their teams. Whether it's scoring sparks, physical play, or steady all-around impact, these freshmen have shown they belong. Here's a look at a handful of first-year players already leaving their mark.    London is an athletic wing who has flashed the ability to take over ball-handling duties at different points throughout games. She finds ways to put the ball in the basket from multiple areas on the floor, keeping defenses honest. Her versatility and energy have consistently given her team a needed spark on offense.     Sa'lon has been a unique paint presence for <a href="//generic-entity?number=2">Mesa Ridge</a>, making her impact felt on both ends of the floor. She controls the glass, finishes through contact, and does her work in traffic. Her physicality and willingness to mix it up have made life difficult for opposing defenders.     [player_tooltip player_id='1761869' first='Leah' last='Dreessen'] is putting together a strong freshman season for Pine Creek, flirting with a double-double on a nightly basis. What stands out most is how she scores within the flow, not forcing shots and taking what the defense gives her around the rim. She shows maturity in knowing when to be aggressive and when to kick it out and reset the offense.     Kaylee has proven she can step in alongside veterans and impact the game in whatever way her team needs. Some nights it's being a scoring threat, while others it's doing the dirty work defensively. Her ability to defend both in the post and on the perimeter gives her coaching staff valuable flexibility.     For Valor, Elise brings steady production whenever her number is called. She may come in short spurts, but she's always ready to perform at a high level. Attacking the rim, knocking down open shots, and finding teammates in rhythm, she consistently makes the most of her minutes.

The jump to varsity can be a tough one, but this group of 2029s has wasted no time carving out meaningful roles for their teams. Whether it's scoring sparks, physical play, or steady all-around impact, these freshmen have shown they belong. Here's a look at a handful of first-year players already leaving their mark.