Top 5 Players on the Top 5 Teams: A Closer Look at 4A

Revisiting our Top 5 series, where we examine a variety of conferences in the box state to see who's been showing up consistently. From elusive guards who command defensive attention to bigs with detail-oriented footwork down low, we have a lot of players to recognize for their hard work this season. We're going on a deeper dive into the 4A scene in the box state. Let's talk about it.    [player_tooltip player_id='470965' first='Natalie' last='Trujilo'] is an all-around threat you don't want to mess with. Defending the perimeter with poise and awareness, Trujilo has been able to amass 5 SPG this season, affirming how important the ingredient of defense is in a recipe designed for winning. The #4-ranked SG in her class knows how to get downhill quickly and makes on-the-fly reads accordingly. Leading her team in assists, Trujilo distributes the rock effectively (3.4 APG) and takes care of the ball night in and night out.     [player_tooltip player_id='986124' first='Makayla' last='Johnson'] is a relentless defender who swarms her assignment and forces turnovers whenever she gets the chance. Dictating the pace in transition, Johnson is quick with the ball and has a strong handle. Coming up with just under 12 PPG, 2.4 APG, and 4 SPG, Johnson has become a dynamic starter for the Commanders. Getting to the foul stripe comes easily for Johnson, as she loves absorbing contact, attacking the rim, and drawing fouls from opposing defenders.     [player_tooltip player_id='1239620' first='Sam' last='Clevenger'] has transformed into arguably the most dominant hooper on this list. Her numbers do the talking for her, chalking up 13.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and an unfathomable 5.1 BPG. The 6'4 forward loves sending shots away and takes pride in her defensive prowess. Providing a constant flow of second-chance opportunities and crashing the glass with force, Clevenger is the epitome of a defense's worst nightmare to guard and keep up with. Expect Clevenger to make leaps and bounds in the rankings in the coming months.     [player_tooltip player_id='793533' first='Colleen' last='Monahan'] exudes confidence whether she's locking up her assignment or orchestrating an offense. Averaging 13.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and a whopping 4.8 SPG, Monahan provides an energetic spark that has led D'Evelyn to a 17-2 record and the #1 slot in the 4A conference. Surrounded by teammates with high motors, such as G Giada Lampert and F Bobbi Jo Marvel, don't be surprised if D'Evelyn takes their momentum all the way to the Denver Coliseum this year.     [player_tooltip player_id='1198717' first='Olivia' last='Zadeh'] is a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Timnath Cubs, boxing out her matchup and securing plenty of rebounds with her massive wingspan. Contesting shots and communicating on both ends of the ball is what Zadeh does best. Not to mention, she scores 11.2 PPG on 47% from the field. On a 14-3 Cubs squad that looks more and more polished each game this campaign, Zadeh makes sure her teammates get involved, dishing the rock to lights-out shooters such as 33% 3-pt shooter Gretchen Deines.

Revisiting our Top 5 series, where we examine a variety of conferences in the box state to see who's been showing up consistently. From elusive guards who command defensive attention to bigs with detail-oriented footwork down low, we have a lot of players to recognize for their hard work this season. We're going on a deeper dive into the 4A scene in the box state. Let's talk about it.