Five Juniors to Watch During AAU Ball

It's funny how one summer is the difference between these players being underclassmen and upperclassmen — the kids grow up so fast! Here is a short list of class of 2028 players who are working on their game with AAU ball this summer.    Barron has waited a long time for her shot as a starting big, and she should finally get it this upcoming season for Tualatin. She is currently with the top club in the state in ML20 alongside fellow Timberwolf juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1013738' first='Love' last='Lei Best'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1014114' first='Kendall' last='Dawkins'], and going up against other elite clubs in the summer means she'll be more than ready for the winter. I spoke with her at an Enforcers practice in March and was blown away by her drive and work ethic. She has always had A+ size and played with tremendous hustle, but the relentless work she's done on her post-ups and mid-range touch is going to take her production to new heights and add a new layer to Tualatin's attack. Defensively, she can patrol the paint and deter any weak shots from driving guards.     In Henley's first-round playoff game against Scappoose, Schroeder showed why she is the biggest double-double threat in the 4A classification. She scored 20 and pulled down 13 rebounds in the first half (!), finishing with 27 and 19 en route to a 40-point win. That paved the way for her to make another strong showing in Forest Grove, leading the Hornets to a third-place finish at state. She obviously has the size advantage over many, but she earns her rebounds with hustle, heart, and IQ more than anything else. Henley is just plain fun to watch — blistering pace, plenty of shooters and smart spacing, all surrounding a tenacious interior scorer in Schroeder. She has a plus vertical that allows her to catch the ball on the block and rise up for an unblockable turnaround shot in a quick, fluid motion. I noticed how level-headed she was despite her physical play style; she rarely gets sped up.     Dawson is showing off her exciting versatility this summer for Oregon Overtime. She is letting the mid-range and three-point shot fly more and more with a smooth stroke, which complements her tremendous downhill slashing ability. She is a wing with the frame and toughness to slide inside, plus the feel and fluidity to bring the ball up court and facilitate. She describes herself as a defensive-minded player, and I expect Clackamas to get a huge boost on that side of the floor with Dawson in an increased role.     Westview is on the rise, and Masury is a major part of what they are building. This is a cerebral guard who lets the game come to her. She is a good off-ball mover who can get open on the perimeter and cut to the basket. Her jumpshot is quick and has textbook mechanics, and when she puts the ball on the floor, she is a willing passer and doesn't shy away from driving into the teeth of the defense. She has a sturdy base, plays well off of two feet, and has put some remarkably crafty finishes on tape. She earned second-team All-Metro League honors as a sophomore, and with three first-teamers leaving the conference, she could absolutely slide in next season.     Rice is another player who has a chance to jump off the watchlist and into the rankings soon. She is a highly competitive and driven person who brings a great attitude. She is an athletic guard who can change direction and pace, a skill that translates from the lacrosse field, where she also excels. She has a twitchy handle and can go both left and right with a nice first step and crossover. She can nail threes from the corner and wing, and she's made strides with her range and shot speed. She is with [program_tooltip program_id='713147' first='Oregon' last='Elite'] this summer alongside other exciting Metro League talents like [player_tooltip player_id='1818682' first='Kyle' last='Proulx'] and [player_tooltip player_id='902188' first='Sofia' last='Rodriguez'].

It's funny how one summer is the difference between these players being underclassmen and upperclassmen — the kids grow up so fast! Here is a short list of class of 2028 players who are working on their game with AAU ball this summer.