The Junior Jump
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The featured image is of Payton Benge Payton Benge 6'1" | PF Plainfield | 2024 State IN (2024) of Plainfield High School. The 2022-2023 season is well underway, with most teams having played a half dozen games or so through…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Payton Benge Payton Benge 6'1" | PF Plainfield | 2024 State IN (2024) of Plainfield High School.
The 2022-2023 season is well underway, with most teams having played a half dozen games or so through the first four weeks. With that said, I wanted to take the time to highlight five Juniors who have greatly improved their statistical productivity from a year ago. These Class of 2024 prospects have been outstanding to begin the 2022-2023 campaign.
Payton Benge
Payton
Benge
6'1" | PF
Plainfield | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 6-1 F/C, Plainfield H.S.
– The 6-1 Benge has often flashed nice potential, as she is strong, willing to play physical around the basket, while also possessing a nice understanding of the game, along with a versatile skillset. She seems to start most games around the low block, where she’ll bury opponents, and she can finish with either hand. Then she’ll extend her game to the mid-post and the perimeter, where she can knock down open jumpers consistently to 22-feet. Payton managed to play in 24 games as a Sophomore, averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on a Senior laden team. But this year she has put up 16.0 points and 8.4 rebounds through their first seven games.
Mya Davis
Mya
Davis
5'7" | CG
Heritage Christian | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 5-7 G, Heritage Christian H.S.
– Mya transferred in a year ago from Lawrence Central High School, but she was unable to play Varsity until the end of the season. In those five games, she averaged 6.2 points 2.0 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. This year, the long, wiry, fluid combo guard has gotten off to a fast start, averaging 23.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 4.5 steals per game to lead Heritage Christian. She is smooth attacking the basket, she looks stronger and is able to handle contact better, and she’s using the free throw line as a weapon. She also does a nice job of using her length to affect passing lanes. As she continues to get stronger, look for her to be more of a threat from 3-point range.
Gwen Higdon, 2024, 5-8 F, Whiteland Community H.S.
– Gwen has done a nice job this season of grasping hold of a bigger opportunity and making the most of it. A season ago, she was in the rotation, but she played more of a defensive/rebounding role for the Lady Warriors. In 23 games as a Sophomore, she averaged a solid 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while also shooting just 6-30 (20%) from beyond the arc. This year, however, the inside-out forward has made major strides to affect the lineup, and in eight games she is averaging 14.1 points and 6.1 rebounds, plus she has knocked down 22-56 3-point attempts already at a 39% rate. She is certainly making opponents notice her play.
Samiyah Stout
Samiyah
Stout
5'7" | CG
Elkhart | 2024
State
IN
, 2024, 5-7 G, Elkhart H.S.
– Samiyah is one of the state’s best athletes, and a year ago she flashed major potential at times. She has a strong, athletic frame, length, and she can run and jump with the best of them in Indiana, regardless of class. As a Sophomore, she led Elkhart with averages of 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.3 steals per game over 25 games. This year, however, she has boosted her scoring to 21.0 points, plus she has upped everything else, averaging 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 5.6 steals, and an impressive 2.4 blocked shots per game through eight games. As soon as she is able to showcase her improved play next Spring and Summer, her recruiting should take off.
Ava Wilson, 2024, 5-8 F, Shelbyville H.S.
– You’ve probably heard a lot about
Kylee Edwards
Kylee
Edwards
5'7" | SG
Shelbyville | 2023
State
IN
coming out of Shelbyville so far this season, and rightfully so. But Ava has had a huge impact on the team as well with her improved play as a Junior. Where she has probably improved the most is defensively, showing more versatility and the ability to turn defense into offense, averaging 4.9 steals per game through seven games. She is a nice mid-post scorer, she is accurate from the free throw line, and she can knock down the occasional 3-pointer. I’d look for that part of her game to expand even more as the season wears on. Overall, Ava has increased her scoring from 7.7 points to 17.0 points per game this season.