New Year, New Ballers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout this season I have been really happy to see some new faces pop up across the state. Whether these players are first-time starters or much-improved returners, I wanted to throw the spotlight on a handful of ballers who have turned heads in 2024 compared to their previous seasons. Take note of these hoopers come 2025...they have put the work in in 2024 and it's sure paying off.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Allie Moeller","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Scott","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-67736f2f796de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Scott's Allie Moeller has made huge strides between her sophomore and junior seasons. Across the board, Moeller has seen improvements both offensively and defensively while leading her Lancers squad. Last season as a sophomore, Moeller averaged 10.4PPG, 4.3RPG, 0.8APG and 1.6SPG. This season Allie has leveled up, averaging 16PPG, 10.3RPG, 1.7APG and 3SPG - an increase in every stat for the small forward / guard combo. Moeller has really made an effort to hunt down rebounds on the defensive end and push the ball in transition (where Moeller is great around the rim). Combining that with her confident three ball, she makes for a tough matchup at any 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":"Kruiz Ewoldt","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_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":"North Tama","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-67736f2f797db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kruis Ewoldt has made one of the most impressive jumps from season to season that I have seen in a long time. As a sophomore Ewoldt averaged 3.6PPG and 5.3RPG with less than one assist and steal per game. This year, on the other hand, Kruiz has propelled herself in the Iowa Star South Conference by averaging 16PPG, 6.7RPG, 1.3APG and 2.7SPG - it's obvious Ewoldt has been putting work into her game this offseason. One of her biggest improvements came at the three point line, where she jumped from 14.8% to 40% this season. I'm really looking forward to Ewoldt's progress through 2025.</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":"Caroline Simmons","_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":"null","_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":"Bedford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-67736f2f798b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caroline Simmons has made the jump from new freshman to experienced returner during her sophomore year. Simmons has improved in all aspects of her game, including points (+11.4), rebounds (+1.2), assists (+.5), and steals (+1.9). In addition Simmons has seen a jump in all three shooting percentages, including a head-turning 41.5% from behind the arc. Overall this season Simmons' numbers are solid: 15.9PPG, 2.6RPG, .9APG and 2.2SPG. Coming off of a 26 point, 7 steal performance to finish 2024, I predict Simmons will take 2025 by the horns and continue her hot streak to finish her sizzling sophomore season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["642075"],"_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-67736f2f79925"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='642075' first='Lillie' last='Spicer'] has evolved into a serious scoring threat as a sophomore. Her physicality, nonstop motor, and aggression around the rim makes Spicer a nightmare for defenders and her stats are reflecting her efforts. As a freshman starter last season, Spicer tallied 9.3PPG, .6SPG, and was shooting at a 46.5% clip. This year Spicer has been a force - she's increased all of these stats and is currently averaging 17.1PPG, 2.7SPG and is shooting 56.4% from the floor. Spicer has also boosted her free-throw percentage by 18% this season. I am really looking forward to Spicer's continual improvement throughout her J-Hawk career.</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1216024' first='Hallie' last='Bunkers']","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Remsen St. Mary's","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-67736f2f799cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore slump? [player_tooltip player_id='1216024' first='Hallie' last='Bunkers'] has never heard of it. The 5'8" guard has exploded onto the scene as a sophomore and is currently 59th in the state in scoring. As a freshman, Bunker's numbers were solid: 6.4PPG, 3.2RPG, 2.4APG and 1.7SPG. This season, Bunkers has elevated to 18.2PPG, 7.5RPG, 2.8APG and 2.8SPG. With a smooth 46.2 three point percentage and an increase of 14% at the free-throw line, Bunkers can get it done in the paint, convert at the line, and hit deep shots with a consistent jumper. Keep your eyes on Bunkers to finish out 2025 with a bang.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->