Class of 2024’s Stock-risers and Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='384128' first='Emma' last='Freels'], North Marion, CG, 5-6 (19 to 12)</strong> - Freels shot up the rankings after a junior season where she showed the ability to be a great leader and scorer. Freels became the second-leading scorer and top defensive player on a Huskies group that won the Class AAA state title. She ceased to be just a nice piece. She reliably scored alongside team leader Olivia Toland. She showed an affinity for defense and she showed she can guard a multitude of players and positions. In terms of a player being ready for the college game, there was no doubt that her stock went way up during her championship season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722891' first='Tenly' last='Paugh'], Doddridge County, SG, 5-5 (Unranked to 39)</strong> - Paugh really made a mark on me as I watched her become a crucial part of the Bulldogs' rotation. This biggest thing about her is she's fearless on the hardwood. There's no fear. She'll do whatever she needs to do on the court to be a contributor. We are going to see exactly what she is made of this year as she becomes even more of an option for the Bulldogs. Hopefully, her shot and ability to get easy points around the basket are up for the challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722882' first='Niko' last='Kaufmann'], St. Joe, CG, 5-6 (Unranked to 18)</strong> - How does someone jump from unranked to the 18th spot in a list where the top 20 doesn't move a lot? She showed off her leadership and ability to be a primary option, that's how. Kaufmann showed she's right at home being the main option for any team as Huntington St. Joe fell one game short of competing in the state tournament. Those skills have only improved more over the summer with the W.Va. Thunder. Don't be surprised if the Irish make some noise in Class A with Kaufmann leading the way this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722920' first='Ericka' last='Zirk'], Tucker County, PF, 5-10 (Unranked to 37)</strong> - Can Zirk keep the Mountain Lion tradition of great post players alive? She's certainly already showed the skills to do it, but now she'll need to do it without Kadie Colebank on the other side of the paint. She's shown she can get the rebounds, now it is about establishing her scoring role in the paint. She's done enough to shoot into the rankings, but how she answers the task of being a main option will determine how much higher she rises in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='722890' first='Kendal' last='Connolly'], Point Pleasant, PF, 6-2 (Unranked to 21) </strong>- Talk about someone who loves to throw block parties! This young lady may be the most natural shot blocker in the state since Riley Fitzwater left for Concord. She tracks her opponents well in the paint, picks her moment, then stays on her feet as she goes in for the block. Most impressive of all? She stays on her feet and trusts her length. Better still, she's strong despite her size and doesn't get moved in the paint easily. Offensively, she understands her role on the block extremely well. Working her way open for shots on the blocks is second nature to her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='722422' first='Jayci' last='Gray'], Ritchie County; [player_tooltip player_id='722411' first='Brooke' last='Craft'], PikeView; [player_tooltip player_id='722410' first='Gracelin' last='Corley'], Elkins; [player_tooltip player_id='722413' first='Kaitlyn' last='Lester'], Westside; [player_tooltip player_id='722882' first='Niko' last='Kaufmann'], St. Joe; [player_tooltip player_id='722890' first='Kendal' last='Connolly'], Point Pleasant; [player_tooltip player_id='722406' first='Jazmyn' last='Taylor'], Jefferson; [player_tooltip player_id='722920' first='Ericka' last='Zirk'], Tucker County; [player_tooltip player_id='722892' first='Shae' last='McCoy'], Madonna; [player_tooltip player_id='722891' first='Tenly' last='Paugh'], Doddridge County; </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->