Players to Watch: Fayetteville Area 2023/2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fayetteville area certainly has a lot of athletes in it and surrounding areas like Sanford, Raeford, etc.  Here are some of the athletes that you should know about from the classes of 2023 and 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f808d967c8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["116909"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='116909' first='Miya' last='Giles-Jones']u003c/bu003e (featured photo) has been well known throughout the state because of her versatility on the court and athleticism that help her be successful no matter who she is going against.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can guard any position on the court not being scared to body someone in the post or keep up with quick guards trying to get around her.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe handles the ball well knowing how to fake out her opponents creating space between her and her defender, and she is a three level scorer being a threat all over the court.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer length is an asset on both ends of the court being able to block shots, jump into passing lanes, and shoot over her opponents.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["385127"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='385127' first='Skylar' last='White']u003c/bu003e is a fun guard to watch as she is so quick with the ball, and she is smart with her decisions on the offensive side of the court.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe makes exceptional passes into her teammates, and she knows how to shift the defense to open up the court for her team to score.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe has a nice change of speed and direction when getting around her opponents, and she can jump stop for the shot or take it all the way to the hoop.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer ability to score on all levels make her a difficult person to guard.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["285952"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='285952' first='Kyleigh' last='Goode']u003c/bu003e has had good size for years that she definitely knows how to utilize on the court.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can post up sealing off her opponents, and she's aggressive when it comes to grabbing rebounds.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe does well seeing the floor on defense knowing how to slide into a help position, and she makes sure posts don't have easy passes into them.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eLast year, she averaged a double-double making sure she was known as a force in the paint.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["261084"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='261084' first='Sarah' last='Strong']u003c/bu003e is one of the top in her class in the nation, and we are so glad we get to see her compete here in North Carolina at least for a couple more years.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe has been playing with a high IQ for years knowing how to get her entire team involved in the game whether she is making a pass or cutting herself to the open areas.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can play and guard all five positions on the court using her height to battle in the paint and her length to stop anyone from dribbling around her.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is a sharp shooter draining shots from all over the court no matter whose hand is in her face.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eWith Strong leading the group, they are definitely favorited to win the 1A state championship again this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["389292"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='389292' first='Halisi' last='Whitley']u003c/bu003e is a shooter that will absolutely wear the net out with the way she can put it through the hoop.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is a strong three point shooter knowing how to set herself up for the open shot losing her defender in the process.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can certainly shoot in her opponents' faces, too.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe plays with a confidence that makes her an elite athlete knowing that she can score points no matter where she is on the court.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe isn't just a scorer as she finds her open teammates flying up the court on fast breaks or her post teammates inside the paint for their own points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["326372"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='326372' first='Antonia' last='Hughes']u003c/bu003e has some great timing with her moves in the paint as she can slide right into position, catch the entry pass, and score.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe does well scoring even when she starts with her back to the basket, and she uses her strength to move her opponents out of the way on offense and when grabbing rebounds.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can be clutch when it comes to grabbing offensive rebounds and using those for some points herself. u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["412215"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='412215' first='Icyss' last='Storm']u003c/bu003e has found a new home at Grace Christian this season, and her versatility will certainly be important as they make another championship run.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is a rebounding machine knowing how to position herself perfectly to grab the board.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can take the rebound coast to coast scoring in transition herself or finding another open teammate filling in the lane for some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe's a true hustler constantly moving on both ends of the court making sure she's always in the right position at the right time.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->