2028 Rankings Preview

Several sophomores across the state are beginning to show just how much they've developed, stepping confidently into varsity roles and making their presence felt early in the season. This round, we highlight a handful of second-year players who have elevated their game and could make a serious impact as the year progresses.    Emmy is one of those players whose defense operates on another level, both on and off the ball. She is lethal in transition and never shies away from physical play. She's averaging 17 points per game and willingly steps into whatever role her team needs. Her adaptability and motor make her one of the most reliably impactful players on the floor in any matchup. Her ceiling is high, and her basketball IQ is far beyond what her age would suggest.     Mollee is a physical player who has that “grit” you simply can't coach. She's one of the top sophomores in the state and a driving force for a Sky View team relying heavily on her toughness and consistency. She's logging double-digit scoring nights almost every time she steps on the floor, and her continued growth in both size and skill puts her on a clear trajectory toward becoming a legitimate Division I prospect by the time she graduates. As her game expands and her confidence rises, she could become one of the most dominant players in her classification.     Samantha was recently added to our PGH roster, and she's been making waves ever since. She leads the Bears in scoring as a sophomore, but her impact goes well beyond putting the ball in the hoop. She's often the spark in defensive disruptions that swing momentum, reading plays early, and helping Bear River regain possession in key moments. With such a young roster, the Bears will continue to lean on her—and her fellow underclassmen—as they grow and develop.     [player_tooltip player_id='974008' first='Emeli' last='Langi'] is emerging as one of the more intriguing young prospects in Utah girls' basketball, and her recruitment momentum is beginning to reflect it. She combines length, agility, and natural instincts that translate on both ends of the floor. In a recent outing, she added 9 points and 3 steals—numbers that don't just show scoring ability, but also her knack for disrupting plays and turning defense into offense. As her confidence grows and her role expands, Emeli has the tools to become a high-impact contributor and a legitimate college-level target in the coming years.     [player_tooltip player_id='997503' first='Olive' last='Wayland'] has emerged as a standout sophomore guard for Farmington, leading the Phoenix in scoring at 11.0 points per game and providing a strong backcourt tandem alongside Ellie Dorius. She's become a reliable offensive option, consistently hitting double figures while also doing her part on the boards. Her ability to create scoring opportunities, stay active in the paint despite her guard role, and contribute on multiple levels makes her one of the more intriguing young players in Utah this season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1240628' first='Kenaddie' last='Anderson'] || Millard   [player_tooltip player_id='997501' first='Halle' last='Heinberger'] || Juan Diego   [player_tooltip player_id='997504' first='Stella' last='Madsen'] || Timpview   [player_tooltip player_id='879698' first='Lyvia' last='Candilora'] || Judge Memorial   [player_tooltip player_id='1038913' first='Katie' last='Cannon'] || Westlake

Several sophomores across the state are beginning to show just how much they've developed, stepping confidently into varsity roles and making their presence felt early in the season. This round, we highlight a handful of second-year players who have elevated their game and could make a serious impact as the year progresses.