Dayton area 2022 sleepers

Jim Dabbelt November 13, 2019 @ 07:40 AM

It will be another loaded class in Ohio as the 2022 kids make the transition from their freshman season as newcomers, to a sophomore year where even more is expected of them. The Dayton area is no exception. There are kids in this class who everyone knows... McMahon, Downing, Taylor. But there are so many more who I believe will be a major factor in the success of their teams this season. I have listed a few sophomore names to watch as the season gets underway. [player_tooltip player_id="159381" first="Ava" last="Sholtis"] (Fort Loramie) Ava is a player who is part of a core group of kids who play well together, helping Fort Loramie enjoy the success they have achieved. As a freshman last season, she was overshadowed by the older experienced players, but her talent was not hidden from those who saw the Redskins play. Now a year older, Sholtis expects to play a bigger role as they look to make it over that hump at regionals. This kid can play. Ma’kaylia Lute (Wayne) Like Ava, Lute gets overlooked due to the incredible upperclassmen at Wayne, but this kid can play. Can shoot with anyone, quick and athletic. Moves well without the ball, always looking for the best option. Good on-ball defender, can run north-south in transition well and continues to improve. [player_tooltip player_id="32601" first="Haley" last="Crozier"] (Springboro) I don’t know many kids who work harder than Haley on the game. Always in the gym or playing in whatever event will help her game grow. Can shoot the lights out, and now needs to work on her other aspects. Has a good midrange and handles the ball well. Excited to see her game blossom this season on a team surrounded with multiple next-level kids at Springboro. [player_tooltip player_id="159378" first="Sarah" last="Ochs"] (Carroll) Watch for this kid to shine with a very talented team who advanced to the state runner-up last season. Tough hard-nosed kid both mentally and physically. Sarah has a vey high basketball IQ and is like having a coach on the court. Very good defender, can drive or shoot the three. Not afraid of contact, strives to get better. Paxton Hunley (Miami East) With the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="32370" first="Morgan" last="Haney"], I expect several players to raise their game to keep the Vikings a strong challenger in their conference this season. Paxton is a competitor and can score. She has a mentality to attack and score, can go both directions equally and battles through contact. Working on her perimeter game, but can push the ball in the open court and has good court awareness. Great on ball defender, rebounds well.