Emma Kate O’Neil has been an impactful player night in and night out for Merill Hyde High School this season.

O’Neil has been a great defensive anchor this season, averaging 2.3 blocks per game. O’Neil’s rotations on the defensive end, paired also with her size makes her an effective shot blocker. It is also notable that she can read the movement of guards on their way to the paint better than most high school interior players.

O’Neil, along with being a great interior defender, is a great interior scorer and overall rebounder. In the season, she is averaging a double-double, averaging 12.4 PPG and 10.5 RPG.

Emma Kate O’Neill Emma Kate O’Neill 5'10" | PF/C Merrill Hyde | 2027 State TN brings an array of skills at the center position.

Her rebounding is at another level. O’Neill rebounds well on both offense and defense and can put together big numbers in the rebounding category. She can also put up big numbers on offense, with her versatile offensive game. She can score through traffic inside the paint and can knock down threes as a center.

On defense, she can guard wings and is a great post defender against bigs. She showed off all these skills in a game against Jo Byrns High School. In the game, she had 16 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.

It will be fun to see what impressive performances O’Neill can put together in her junior season.