2023 Class Standouts: District Tournaments

As we are about to head into the Regional tournament, there was some freshman who stood out and helped their teams. In the Blue Ridge and River Ridge District, the 2023 class stepped in and held their own, some starting and some coming off the bench. Here are some 2023 standouts that you should look out for in the coming Regional Tournament: [caption id="attachment_148652" align="alignleft" width="142"] Keslyn Secrist pulls the three over the defender.[/caption] <strong><span style="color: #ff6600">Keslyn Secrist</span>- Guard- Pulaski County</strong> Keslyn has high basketball IQ and she knows how to play well off the ball. She is able to move without the ball to get in position, get set and ready to shoot, in which it allows her to get easy points. She also uses her pump fake to get defenders off their feet so she can penetrate to the basket or pull up for a mid-range jumper. Keslyn has averaged 12.3 PPG throughout the tournament. <strong><span style="color: #ff6600">Sophia Chrisley</span>- Guard- William Byrd</strong> Sophia has been a major contribution to her team scoring 12 points including 2 three-pointers, helping her team advance to the second round of Regionals. She has averaged 11.5 PPG throughout the tournament and is the second leading scorer on her team, averaging 9.5 PPG for the season. Her points come mostly in transition, but can also spot up and hit the three. She is a great all-around player, who knows the game well and is very efficient on both sides of the ball. During the season, she has averaged 3.2 APG, 2.7 SPG, 2.7 RPG and is shooting 82% from the free-throw line, making All-District 2nd Team. [caption id="attachment_148653" align="alignright" width="212"] Abby Smith avoiding the pressure.[/caption] <strong><span style="color: #ff6600">Abby Smith</span>- Guard- Cave Spring</strong> Abby scored 12 points, including 4 three-pointers in a tough loss against the district champions, Patrick Henry (Roanoke). She has a good feel for the game, an exceptional shooter, who stepped up big in games throughout the season, in which, most of her points coming from behind the arc. Abby has earned All-District Honorable Mention this year. She plays with the Outlaws 2023 AAU basketball team, one of the top AAU teams in Southwest Virginia. [caption id="attachment_148656" align="alignleft" width="174"] Ava Hibbs pulls up from behind the arc.[/caption] <strong><span style="color: #ff6600">Ava Hibbs</span>- Guard- Cave Spring</strong> Ava is a 5'7 shooter, who also scored 12 points, including 4 three-pointers in the tough loss against Patrick Henry (Roanoke), who ended up becoming District Champions. She joins Sophia Chrisley and Abby Smith on the Outlaws 2023 AAU basketball team, which has won many tournaments throughout the years. Ava knows how to move around on the floor, knowing where her spots are, being ready to shoot or finishing strong at the rim. [caption id="attachment_148659" align="alignright" width="267"] Nivea Childress from the corner, igniting the run.[/caption] <strong><span style="color: #ff6600">Nivea Childress</span>- Guard- Patrick Henry</strong> Nivea is a sharpshooter, who came off the bench and knocked down 2 big three-pointers from the corner to ignite a Patrick Henry 23-8 rally in the 3rd quarter against Pulaski County to win the River Ridge District Championship, whom they lost twice to in the regular season. She turned it up on defense also, causing turnovers and forcing Pulaski into bad shots around the perimeter. Excited to see her intensity and smooth stroke throughout the rest of the tournament. &nbsp;