Maryland/D.C. Freshmen Who Can Make An Immediate Impact
As the start of the high school basketball season rapidly approaches, Prep Girls Hoops will take a closer look at several freshmen who should contribute on their new squads from day one. The impact that a player has doesn’t necessarily…
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Continue ReadingAs the start of the high school basketball season rapidly approaches, Prep Girls Hoops will take a closer look at several freshmen who should contribute on their new squads from day one. The impact that a player has doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best player as it’s not predicted by talent alone (although they are all very talented), many factors such as need of the team, the team’s style of play, position that you are expected to play and depth at that position. With that said each player listed has the potential to make an immediate impact on their high school teams.
Yonta Vaughn
Yonta Vaughn – 5’8″ – Point Guard – Bishop McNamara
Yonta has gained some valuable experience this past spring/summer season playing up two age groups against elite level competition on the 16U EYBL circuit. She has excellent ball handling ability, good range beyond the three point line and good vision. Her level of competition will continue to be high in the WCAC conference with a loaded Bishop McNamara team that is expected to challenge for the conference title. Coach Frank Oliver who is known for developing guards can use Yonta to fill either guard position with confidence.
Kiki Rice
KiKi Rice – 5’9″ – Combo Guard – Sidwell Friends
Kiki has gotten on the national radar after a great showing at the 16U USA Basketball Trials in Colorado Springs last May, she continued her play on the 16U Adidas circuit competing against rising juniors. She has a tremendously quick first step and is excellent at getting to the basket and finishing. She will suit up for Sidwell Friends in D.C., a school known more nationally for it’s high academic standards than it’s basketball program. That being said, KiKi not only has a good chance to start but, possibly land a spot on her all conference team.
Kirah Dandridge
Kirah Dandridge – 5’10” – Wing – Riverdale Baptist School
At 5’10” Kirah presents a problem in the perimeter with her combination of length and ball handling ability. She shoots the ball well enough to keep defenses honest and attacks the basket very well. Riverdale Baptist School has been one of the top girls basketball programs for over a decade and Coach Mike Bozeman is excited about the versatility Kirah brings to the court.
Gia Cooke – 5’7″ – Point Guard – Elizabeth Seton
Gia has been one of the areas top players for years and Elizabeth Seton has been a player or two away from the top tier of the WCAC for the past five years. Gia may be the answer the Roadrunners have been looking for. She’s a dynamic point guard with an excellent handle that can shoot the ball. If she can dominate at the high school level the way she did in middle school, Seton will be a team to watch out for.
Sammera Smith, Photo credit @nyghoops
Sammera Smith – 5’5″ – Point Guard – Eleanor Roosevelt
The Raiders have been state championship contenders for as long as I can remember and as a public school they have done a great job holding on to some top players that the private schools like to pick away. Well they have done it again in acquiring Smith. She is a solid point guard and is expected to contribute from day one as they look to remain amongst the top public schools in Maryland seeking another state championship. Sammera is a consistent point guard that can score but, doesn’t need to in order to make an impact.
J’Kyah Jordan
J’Khya Jordan – 5’6″ – Guard – Archbishop Carroll
J’Khya was twice recognized as a standout at the She Got Game Middle School Combine. The Lion’s are coming of a year where they won only one conference game (the WCAC is a tough conference). Carroll needs to add players and J’Khya is a start. I would anticipate solid numbers as a freshman from her as they continue to build the program.