2026 Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I have done the last several years, I will be posting several season preview articles in October &amp; November. However, at this time, I wanted to give an early look at a handful of 2026 prospects who I feel could step up and stand out during the 2024-2025 season. This isn't everyone, obviously, but based on their play this Summer, or their opportunity this upcoming Winter...or a combination of both...they stood out to me as solid candidates to really expand on what they did as Sophomores one year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928896"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d2da81ba8e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rebekah has seen some opportunity in the past for South, but now due to graduation losses in June, she could potentially start, if not play major minutes, in the pivot for the Panthers this season. She has a solid to strong frame, nice length, and she runs the floor hard North/South. She has some back-to-the-basket post in her, but she can also knock down the elbow/short corner jumper as well. I don't know that South will ever feature her with other talented players on the roster, but she could be an 8-point, 7-rebound type of contributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928873"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d2da81ba943"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A year ago, Sammy was a full-time JV performer for the Bulldogs. But after a solid Spring grassroots season, a change in coach at her high school, and then a strong showing during the scholastic live period in June, she looks to have cemented herself into a rotational role, if not a starting spot, entering the 2024-2025 season. She is long, wiry-strong, athletic, and even somewhat bouncy. She has a developing mid-post game, but she's also comfortable defending outside. She has the potential to be an elite small college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761164"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d2da81ba981"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophie played in 26 games last season, and after averaging 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, coupled with the graduation of five 2024s, she could see those numbers improve significantly. The Bulldogs won't have a lot of experience to lean on, so hers will be valuable. She has improved tremendously over the past 12-18 months as well. She is much stronger, a nice athlete, and she has become more confident and assertive offensively. If she can continue that trajectory early this season, she could be a double-double kid by the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832664"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d2da81ba9bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aleeyah is unique on this list, because she played quite a bit, and she averaged 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a Sophomore. However, three of the four Hawks who outscored her last season either transferred or graduated, and she has suddenly been thrust into a major role if they want to be successful. Aleeyah showed this Summer she has the talent and skill to become a 15+ point per game scorer, but she can also create and facilitate to others. Additionally, she projects to be a high-level defender, on or off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["732354"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d2da81ba9f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vanessa helped the Lady Knights to a Class 3A State Finals appearance back in February, and she was a double-digit scorer at that. However, minus the dynamic 2024 backcourt duo Norwell graduated, Vanessa is now going to be the center of attention for them moving forward. She has an athletic frame, she runs and jumps well, and she always plays with a motor. Add to that a well-rounded, versatile skillset, and she could score it in the 20-point per game range as a Junior. She's also an aggressive rebounder and defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486477"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d2da81baa2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hannah was solid at West Vigo a year ago, averaging 7.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. But the combination of her transferring to offensive-minded North Central (52.9 ppg vs. 33.6), joining a deeper roster, and gaining strength, should show up in her output on a nightly basis. Hannah is extremely long, wiry-strong, and fluidly athletic. She is great in the mid-post, but she also has some touch outside, and she can score it on the block against undersized defenders. Additionally, she provides shot-blocking support in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->