Rising Stars to Keep on Your Radar in February

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fully immersed into the back half of the season, we've gotten the chance to notice who's raising the bar in the box state. Sure, scoring plays a huge role in today's high-volume, fast-paced game, although skilled defenders have made a serious comeback. The perfect mix of offense and defense creates a player with 2-way poise and confidence. Here, we dive deep. Let's talk about it </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["903317"],"_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-698181b9a92d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='903317' first='Taylor' last='Dirden'] has stepped up big time this month, putting up multiple scoring outbursts while focusing on her three-point efficiency. At 5'9, Dirden is a guard who presents height and agility with the rock, allowing her to maneuver around defenders and get off the looks she wants. Surrounded by teammates like G Ari Boyd and G Leilani Gordon, Dirden adds to the already prominent offensive firepower. Currently ranked as the #8 CG in her class, it'll be worth it to stop by Smoky Hill and witness Dirden's confidence on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568867"],"_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-69818f27ce652"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='568867' first='Brittany' last='Booker'] takes pride in communicating with her teammates and enforcing chaos on the defensive side of the ball. With her eyes set on the ball and in between passing lanes at all times, Booker tracks the rock like a hawk. On the other end, Booker is confident and ready to score at all times, utilizing her shifty play style to get crafty, finishing the ball in transition. Applying her all-around IQ and defensive poise, Booker is an all-star that opposing defenses center their gameplan around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["903305"],"_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-69818f27ce698"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='903305' first='Lilah' last='Calabrese'] has honed in on her footwork and control in the post, with a consistent 51% shooting from the field. Where toughness and effort never go unnoticed, Calabrese brings a strong desire to win, and it's clearly been reflected with Horizon sitting comfortably at 14-4 on the campaign. The 6'0 sophomore ends up at the foul stripe several times each game, and doesn't get phased by the noise, knocking down 76% of her free throws. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241275"],"_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-69818f27ce6d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1241275' first='Amelia' last='Avdem'] has been balling out this season across the board, inflicting her presence on her matchup all game long. Acquiring 2 SPG, 3.8 RPG, 11.2 PPG, and 2.5 APG, Avdem plays with an extra gear and an elite competitive level. As only a sophomore, Avdem has begun to master her craft and utilize her strengths as a playmaker. Being able to stretch to SG when needed, there's no questioning Avdem's versatility, which makes her that much more dynamic to colleges seeking a consistent hooper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["631435"],"_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-69818f27ce717"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='631435' first='Katie' last='Moon'] is a sharpshooter who's been letting it rain this season as a junior. Converting on a sizzling hot 36% of her looks, Moon is one of the most confident scorers I've seen in a while. With exceptional shot-creating abilities and a handle on a string, Moon makes the heavily contested looks seem effortless. Ranked as the #9 CG in her class, if Moon can find a way to climb her way back on the stat sheet this month, it will be scary how good the Falcons can get. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->