Arizona 5A – Top Returning 3-Point Leaders: Part 1

With the AAU season coming to a close, it is time to dive in and take a look at some of the state of Arizona’s stat leaders after the conclusion of the 2020-2021 season, while making a few projections for the upcoming season. This article will be covering the first part of the Arizona 5A Top Returning 3-Point makers from last year. Hopefully, this will give a good perspective on some of the knock-down shooters to look out for! <strong>Mackenzie Nielsen - Junior - SG - Sunrise Mountain HS - 49 Made</strong> Nielsen is a 5’10", junior, combo shooting guard that plays for Sunrise Mountain Mustangs in Peoria, AZ. With only 19 games played for her high school, she was able to finish #2 overall in the conference for most 3-pointers made in a season <strong>(43) </strong>! She averages 13.3 points per game and is performing above the national average in points, steals, blocks, and assists, and is tied with the national average for rebounds. With so much time to still grow her skills and knowledge of the game, the future looks bright for young gun, Mackenzie Nielsen. <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="214588" first="Nicole" last="Evenson"] - Senior - F/G - Gilbert HS - 39 Made </strong> Evenson is a 5’11", senior that plays guard or forward for Gilbert High School. She has made it on the list for top returning 3-pointers made with an outstanding <strong>39</strong> three’s made in the 2020-2021 basketball season. This has landed her in the #2 spot for returners and the fourth spot overall. Nicole also secured the MaxPreps AZ Player of the Game six different times throughout last year, as well. As a captain this year for her squad and the 42nd ranked player in the state, Evenson is a player to have your eyes out for in the next few months! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65618" first="Sierra" last="Labuwi"] - Junior - PG - Cactus Shadows HS - 38 Made </strong> As a 5’6", junior, point guard, Labuwi really showed her skills by putting up a total of <strong>38</strong> made 3-pointers throughout the 2020-2021 basketball season for the Cactus Shadow Falcons. She was awarded the MaxPreps AZ Player of the Game three times and is ranked 31st in the state. Leading her team to 10-0 in league play shows the ability Labuwi has to work with her teammates to achieve success. I am looking forward to seeing how she continues to progress over the next couple of years! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65613" first="Mia" last="Amundsen"] - Junior - G - Millennium HS - 36 Made </strong> Mia will be coming into this list as the fourth-best returning 3-point shooter in the state of Arizona, 5A division. Being ranked seventh overall with <strong>36 </strong>three-balls made for the last basketball season as an under-classman is extremely impressive. This stat alone really shows the trust that her coaches and teammates have in her to lead their team. Amundsen will be gearing back up in purple and white again this season to play guard for the Millennium Tigers High School team. With other top players in the league around her as teammates, this team is looking to be one of the top ones to watch in the upcoming 2021-2022 season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205657" first="Madison" last="Reibel"] - Sophomore - PG - Canyon View HS - 30 Made </strong> [player_tooltip player_id="205657" first="Madison" last="Reibel"] was able to secure a spot in the top returning 3-point shooters in her division by making <strong>30 </strong>during her freshman year with the Canyon View Jaguars. As a 5’5" point guard, she saw a lot of time on the court, playing in all 14 games and averaging 11.8 points per game. Reibel exceeds the national average in points, steals, assists, rebounds, and steals and is currently holding the state of Arizona ranking of 71st. After having a stellar first season, I am excited to see how she continues to play now that there is more of a level of comfort. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137281" first="Alani" last="Encinas"] - Senior - PG/SG - Buena HS - 30 Made </strong> Encinas is a 5’8" point guard/shooting guard that will be returning to play her final year for Buena High School. With an outstanding junior year season, she was able to come into the sixth place position for returning 3-point shooters in the division <strong>30 </strong>made. As a captain and leader for her team, she will continue to be a key piece for the Colts. With 45 high school games under her belt, Alani is a veteran on the floor that will continue to shine. &nbsp;