Capital Region-Top Small School Returners for 2026-2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New York Capital Region is a hotbed for high school basketball. Multiple area teams made deep runs in the state championship tournament. Although several great players will turn their tassels to the graduate side in June and move on to college careers, the cupboard will not be empty. Here is my look-ahead at the top small school returners in the New York Capital Region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":1803016,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tanner Eiseman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mechanicville","_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-69f24d4966111"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tanner Eiseman played an important role in Mechanicville, claiming the Section 2 Class B crown this season. Eiseman is listed as a power forward, but she is extremely versatile. She can score in the paint both with her post moves and off of offensive rebounds. Eiseman is very productive around the rim. However, she also possesses a solid midrange game with a silky-smooth touch. Eiseman is also good at putting the ball on the floor and driving past defenders. Her ball-handling skills are superior for a player of her size and strength. </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":"Andie Luskin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Stillwater","_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-69f24d49661f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Andie Luskin is an outstanding overall athlete who also excels on the volleyball court, where she has recorded over 1,000 career kills. Luskin is a solid finisher in the paint. She has a soft shooting touch, and her tall, wiry frame makes her difficult to defend. Luskin is skilled in the low post and displays very good footwork. Her length and wingspan make her an excellent defender and basket protector. Luskin is a tremendous rebounder and a consistent finisher after pulling down boards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1814754"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1829670,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69f24d496627d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1814754' first='Addison' last='Thornton'] led Stillwater to the state championship game a year ago and the sectional final this season. Thornton could potentially be the top-rated small school player in Section 2 in 2027. Thornton is an explosive offensive player who can score at all three levels. Thorton has a smooth shooting touch, whether beyond the arc or from the midrange. Thornton's signature move is a step-back 3-point shot. She is strong, getting to the bucket, and finishing. She is an outstanding ball-handler who can dissect defenses and dish to open teammates. Thorton's long arms allow her to be an outstanding on-the-ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1812283"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1805517,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69f24d49662f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Only a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1812283' first='Maddie' last='Chatt'] is already one of the best outside shooters in Section 2. I saw her play multiple times this season, and she was red hot in all of them. Chat is equally effective shooting 3-pointers from the wing, corner, or top of the key. She can also score by beating defenders off the dribble, can pull up to hit midrange jumpers, or score in transition. Chatt is a stellar defender as well. Chatt is a rising prospect who got stronger and stronger as the season went on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["863717"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1843694,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69f24e7031681"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hellen formed a lethal 1-2 punch with Bailey Briskie for Coxsackie-Athen this season. Hellen averaged 13 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists a game for the Riverhawks. With Briski graduating, Hellen's role and her production should rise next year. The strength of Hellen's game is her ability to get to the rack to score on layups and floaters. She is very good at drawing contact and getting to the foul line. Hellen can also connect from behind the arc and from the midrange. Her long arms serve her well as an excellent defender.</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":1790898,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1276520' first='Sophia' last='Ryan']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saratoga Catholic","_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-69f24e703173a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1276520' first='Sophia' last='Ryan'] may play at a Class D school, but her talent is far above that classification. Ryan's immense talent allows her to stand out at any level. Ryan led Saratoga Catholic to their first-ever sectional title and could carry the Saints even further next year. For Ryan, everything begins with the superior ball-handling skills she uses to attack the lane and finish. She has fantastic court vision that creates scoring chances for her teammates. Ryan is an outstanding perimeter shooter with unlimited range from beyond the arc. She is also a strong defender. Ryan should be the best overall player in Class D in 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->