Unheralded Players in the Class of 2024

Some of the unheralded players in the class of 2024 played in the recent Top Expo 250 in Gilbert. Here’s a profile on some of the players: &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205682" first=<strong>"Melia</strong>" last="<strong>Graham</strong>"] is a five-foot-five sophomore point guard for Hamilton High School in Chandler. This will be her second year playing for Huskies Head Coach Trevor Neider. While only a sophomore, Melia is an experienced guard, having played in quite a bit of AAU competition. She recently played in the Diamond Classic and was outstanding in the Drills for Skills competition. One scout commented on her game. "Melia is a glue-type player who makes sure everyone is involved and engaged. She makes all the hustle plays and she does things that don’t show up in the box scores. Whatever you need, she is intent on delivering. She could transition to the combo guard position for Hamilton due to the size of the 2024 class." With many players returning, Hamilton should be able to take a run at next year’s state championship. The Huskies lost to Valley Vista, 49-41 in last March’s State Championship game. As an unheralded sophomore, Melia is ready for a breakout season. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205680" first="<strong>Saniya</strong>" last=<strong>"Hornbeck</strong>"] is a five-foot-seven sophomore who plays shooting guard for Basha High School as well as her grassroots team, Arizona Elite. Last season the Bears finished a disappointing 5-13 overall and just 2-6 in their conference. She averaged 2.1 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per contest in 17 games as a freshman. This will be her second season playing for Head Coach Nesby Josey. Saniya has years of experience playing for the 15U Arizona Elite team. She is considered an outstanding playmaker and defender as she continues to improve. With a weighted GPA of 4.2, she was a member of the Sports360AZ All-Academic Girls Basketball Team (4A-6A). With three years ahead of her as a high school player, she continues with a strong work ethic to prepare for the next level. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205679" first=<strong>"Sarah</strong>" last="<strong>Hurley</strong>"] is a five-foot-seven small forward who plays for Scottsdale Prep Academy as well as her club team, the Arizona Rebels. Last season the Spartans finished with a 9-9 record overall and 5-7 in the 2A Conference. Sarah, as a freshman, averaged 8.0 points per game, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. SPA lost in the state playoffs to Pima, 82-21. In a win over North Pointe, 63-32, earlier in the season, she had a double-double - 19 points and 12 assists. In 2021, the Spartans Head Coach, Taray Allen-Lisbon, said the team had to concentrate on each game. "We just have to focus on winning the games we should win." Now a sophomore and improving each season, Sarah will be running the offense as well as being a team leader both on and off the court. She has an outstanding work ethic and makes sure that all her teammates are involved in each offensive set. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205669" first="<strong>Taylor</strong>" last="<strong>Hitchcock</strong>"] is a five-foot-seven combo guard from Cienega High School. She also plays for her grassroots team, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Last season Cienega went 5-8 overall and 4-3 in their conference. Taylor played in eight varsity games, averaging 2.5 points per contest. Her team lost in the state playoffs to Millennium last March, 73-26. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-338334" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/16-Taylor-Hitchcock-258x300.jpg" alt="" width="258" height="300" /> RHJ finished as runner-up in a spring club tournament, the Southwest Showcase. AZ Elite won the event. Taylor played grassroots basketball throughout the spring and summer and her team has three of the top 60 players in the class of 2024. According to her profile, "she has just scratched the surface. She is aggressive with a solid mid-range jump shot. She can finish around the basket and is a great defender." Now a sophomore, she should be ready to come into her own. &nbsp; &nbsp;