CIF State Playoffs: Underclassmen on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are now at the finish line for the 2025-2026 high school basketball season. Championship weekend is here with several marquee matchups across the board. One major postseason takeaway is the depth and star power of the 2028/2029 classes. The young up-and-coming prospects came to play this year when it mattered most! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309335"],"_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-69acfb0f9f23c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Ezra</strong> had an emphatic 22 points and 4 assists in Round 1 to lead her team to victory against Oak Ridge in a narrow 4pt victory. In the following round, she proved to be a major factor yet again in a 3pt win vs. McClatchy. The young freshman has shown poise and confidence well beyond her years. <strong>Ezra</strong> is a lights out shooter when left open. Sharpshooting lefty with a quick trigger! She is a blur in transition. Disruptor on the perimeter defensively. Shows good anticipation and active hands, leading to deflections and fastbreak opportunities on the other end. <strong>Ezra</strong> is someone to monitor closely in the Richmond, CA area.</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":"Nadaysia Bowlin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"John Adams Academy - El Dorado Hills","_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-69acfb0f9f379"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Nadaysia's</strong> game took flight in the second half of the season. She ended the year with double-digit scoring performances in 12 of the last 13 games for 28-6 John Adams. <strong>Nadaysia </strong>has a quick 1st step and can finish with either hand. She plays with a chip on her shoulder. Her shot is unblockable because of the high release point. She can stop on a dime and hit the middy. Plenty of floaters and tear-drops in her arsenal. <strong>Nadaysia</strong> delivers on-time, on-target passes to open teammates. The potential is off-the-charts on the defensive end! Arguably the top shot blocker in the sophomore class for her position! She swats shots in the paint and on the perimeter due to exceptional timing and athleticism. Expect <strong>Nadaysia </strong>to have a HUGE year next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1278401"],"_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-69b0f338a62a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Legend</strong> led Mater Dei in scoring with 18 points in the regional final of the D1 state playoffs. She will carry that momentum forward to her sophomore season. How does she get it done? <strong>Legend</strong> already has ideal length as a legit combo guard. She is lightning quick in transition. Fearless competitor who plays with a chip on her shoulder. <strong>Legend</strong> is a special talent with ball in her hands. Natural-born scorer who can create her own shot. What stood out in the playoffs was her impact and production off-the-ball. The confidence, the footwork, the mechanics... her potential as a spot-up shooter has been on full display recently. <strong>Legend</strong> is on the verge of turning into a superstar right before our eyes at the high school level.</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":"Kenenna Amajioyi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cornerstone Christian","_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-69acfb0f9f2f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Kenenna</strong> helped lead Cornerstone Christian to a NorCal Division VI State Championship! She can score inside and out. <strong>Kenenna</strong> can handle the ball in the open floor. She can spot-up and make the open jumper. Smooth slasher with a nice euro in the lane. Very hard to stop going downhill. <strong>Kenenna </strong>can do a little bit of everything. If you need her to play point forward, she can. If you need her to be the go-to scorer, she can. The upside is tremendous on the defensive end. Very few weaknesses and a lot to like in this standout sophomore poised for a huge summer.</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":"Breanna Wiseman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lathrop","_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-69accd7cd697c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Breanna</strong> was the leading scorer for 33-2 Lathrop this year. She helped lead her squad to a deep postseason run as the X-factor on both ends. <strong>Breanna</strong> had stretches of elite production in the scoring department throughout the year. She has the ability to be unstoppable in the paint when she is locked in. 1 notable performance earlier this year: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks. <strong>Breanna</strong> is a promising rim protector with good size and athleticism for a freshman. High-IQ player who understands how to play winning basketball. She will be a hot commodity going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->