Class 1A – Region 4: 2021’s Who Should be Valued by Colleges

As we look for other ways to cover prospects we thought it would be beneficial to cover players in a way that allows us to cover those we don’t write much about. We will be using the region’s from last season as they were constructed. Obviously, these regions will change into next season but for these stories it was the easiest way to divide players and teams as equally as possible. We will be writing a series of three stories for each region in the state and the categories are as follows: 2023’s to put on Your Radar, 2022’s who can Breakout, and 2021’s Who Should be Valued by Colleges. We will continue to go through each region and aim to hit as many players as we can that we haven’t talked about previously. Here are five 2021’s that need to be valued by colleges. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165042" first="Anabel" last="Blount"] - Prince of Peace</strong> With all five starters returning from a 13-win season, the prospects at Prince of Peace are high. Senior-to-be [player_tooltip player_id="165042" first="Anabel" last="Blount"] is a big reason for that. Blount scored 334 points last year to lead the team, adding 195 rebounds, 43 steals, 36 assists and 13 blocked shots. Alongside [player_tooltip player_id="129067" first="Lilly" last="Isenhour"], Isabel Hansen, Paige Kuehl and Kaelyn Goodsman, Blount will look to lead the Irish even further next season. <strong>Yani Gutierrez - G - Hillcrest Academy</strong> Not a lot went right for Hillcrest Academy this past year in terms of wins, but Yani Gutierrez was there each and every night giving it her all. Gutierrez led the team with 233 total points, knocking down 37 three-pointers. She also had 160 rebounds, which was tops for the program, to go along with 35 assists and 25 steals. If Gutierrez can get more help in 2020-21, her numbers should improve across the board. <strong>Madeline Jacque - G - Lone Tree</strong> Lone Tree took advantage of a large roster, but junior Madeline Jacque made it difficult for coaches to take her off the floor. Jacque averaged just under 11 points per game, shooting 36 percent from the floor, 42 percent from the 3-point line and 73 percent at the free throw line. Along with her 229 total points, Jacque also had 62 rebounds, 48 steals and 38 assists. <strong>Ellie O’Brien - F - Bellevue Marquette</strong> It was quite the memorable season for Bellevue Marquette this past year, as the  Mohawks reached the semifinal round of the state tournament and went 24-2 overall. To duplicate that feat, they will need more of the same out of senior-to-be Ellie O’Brien. The forward posted 221 total points with 198 rebounds, 67 assists, 49 blocked shots and 31 steals. She shot nearly 41 percent from the floor and 63 percent at the free throw line for Bellevue Marquette, which returns two starters in all. <strong>Emma Fritcher - F - Central City</strong> Central City looks to become a contender in the region next year behind Emma Fritcher. The junior forward posted 10.4 points per game this past season, shooting 46 percent from the field. She did her damage inside the 3-point line, and also at the free throw stripe, getting to the line a team-high 83 times. Fritcher added in 162 rebounds, 49 assists, 39 steals and 18 blocks.