Freshman Shinning in Playoffs

Freshmen across the state are proving that age doesn't matter when the lights are brightest. Stepping into high-pressure playoff moments, these young athletes are delivering with confidence, composure, and impact on both ends of the floor.The future of the game is here and it's already shining in the playoffs.    [player_tooltip player_id='1246935' first='Devyn' last='Godfrey'] (Cover Photo) has not let the title of freshman define her game, as she has played like a veteran all season. Not only is she leading her team in scoring at 15.8 points per game, but she is also shooting 50% from the field. The 5'10" guard has been consistent all year. In the playoffs, she posted a game with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals, followed by another with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. These performances show that Devyn is ready now to be a star and the best is yet to come.     [player_tooltip player_id='1756910' first='Ka'Lynn' last='Pound'], as a freshman, is the leading scorer on a team filled with skilled and talented upperclassmen. Pound did not slow down after the regular season—in the playoffs, she has continued to produce impressive numbers: 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in one game, and 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in another. She has also scored in double figures in each of her last four games. Pound has truly shown up night in and night out for her team.     [player_tooltip player_id='912252' first='Naomi' last='Gill'] is one of the smoothest and most controlled guards in her class. She plays with a mature style and shows strong veteran leadership, yet at any point she can take over a game. As a freshman playing behind a roster full of talent, Gill consistently comes in and makes an impact on both ends of the floor through many things that do not show up on the stat sheet. She creates matchup problems and helps exploit defenses, making it easier for her teammates to play their game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1309600' first='Ja'Zaria' last='Walker'] may be a freshman, but she has taken on the role of the go-to option for her team, leading in points, field goal percentage, blocks, and rebounds. She has done this so effectively that she helped guide her team to the Sweet 16 of the 2A Regional Playoffs. In her last four games, she has scored 8, 23, 13, and 18 points while pulling down 5, 13, 14, and 8 rebounds—recording double-doubles in two of those four games. It will be exciting to see how far Walker can lead her team in just her first year as a freshman.     [player_tooltip player_id='1764364' first='Janiyah' last='Span'] uses her athleticism to play shifty and take advantage of her quick first step to blow by defenders and get to the rim. Span has really hit her stride in the playoffs, with games of 20, 19, and 24 points. She has helped her team earn a 19–2 record and advance to the Sweet 16 of the Rural State Championship playoffs. It will be exciting to see how far she can be part of their journey to the state championship game.

Freshmen across the state are proving that age doesn't matter when the lights are brightest. Stepping into high-pressure playoff moments, these young athletes are delivering with confidence, composure, and impact on both ends of the floor.The future of the game is here and it's already shining in the playoffs.