2021 Rankings Update: A Look at the Top Ten
With our rankings overhaul finishing up over this weekend, we are pushing a ton of rankings content onto the site. First, we will have a look at the newly oriented top ten in the state, followed by positional breakdowns in…
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Continue ReadingWith our rankings overhaul finishing up over this weekend, we are pushing a ton of rankings content onto the site. First, we will have a look at the newly oriented top ten in the state, followed by positional breakdowns in each class. The 2021 rankings came out today so let’s dive right into the Top Ten.
#1 – Grace Larkins – 5’9 SF – Southeast Polk – All Iowa Attack EYBL 2020
Larkins is the top player in the 2021 class, but I think it is very close between her and the second spot. Larkins is a wing who has really improved over the past year. She has continued to fine tune her handle and this summer she is really scoring the ball well. Larkins plays really hard and has a very strong frame that can add even more strength. She’s the top player in the class because she’s a versatile wing who can defend any spot on the floor and run in transition really well.
#2 – Katie Dinnebier – 5’7 PG – Waukee – All Iowa Attack
Dinnebier has really improved over the past year and has leaped all the way up to #2 on this list. Not many people throughout the state knew who she even was prior to this AAU season as she tore her ACL freshman year and missed all of last summer. Now, she is back to 100% and playing liked the best guard in the state. She’s a feisty defender who doesn’t back down from anyone, runs the offense really well, and will do anything you ask of her. One of the best on-ball defenders in the state, Dinnebier’s offense has really been taking off as well.
#3 – Audrey Koch – 5’10 SF – Iowa City West – Lady Martin Brothers
Koch finds herself at #3 in the updated 2021 rankings and for good reason. She is a quick wing who has the ability to get to the rim and score or shoot the ball from the outside. She has shown a lot of improvement over the past year and has started to really become a really productive player on the floor. Her length and defense really sets her apart from other players on the floor and her versatility allows her to grab the steal and finish at the other end with ease.
#4 – Riley Wright – 5’10 SF – Marion – All Iowa Attack
Wright is the top ranked committed player in the rankings as she recently pledged to Northern Iowa. She’s a player who can really go and one of the best finishers at the rim in the state. Her outside shot has really improved over the past year and makes her even more of a threat. Like many others in this class, she’s a very versatile player who can play multiple positions with ease. Good ball handler who plays the lead guard spot well with her vision and passing ability. I really like seeing her on the wing where she can use her quickness to blow by defenders.
#5 – Anaya Barney – 5’10 SG – Cedar Falls – Lady Martin Brothers
Barney is an athletic guard much and is almost a carbon copy of Koch, although a little smaller. I think that she has a lot of potential to unlock in her game and it is starting to show more flashes. She’s an athletic guard who can man the floor in multiple spots. I really like her poise under pressure and how she doesn’t tend to get sped up with the ball in her hands. She has the willingness to work on her game and once that skill catches up to the potential she’s going to be dangerous.
#6 – Ashley Iiams – 6′ – PF – Ames – All Iowa Attack
Iiams is a very good stretch four who can shoot the ball both off of the catch and the dribble. She’s got an edge to her game with the ability to attack the rim and finish as well. Iiams is a really solidly built player who can push the ball in transition and has a very good feel for the game. A solid jumper allows her to open up the floor for her teammates but she also can at times handle the ball to take advantage of mismatches. Her versatility and shooting ability really pushed her up the list.
#7 – Abbie Draper – 6′ PF – Waverly Shell Rock – Lady Martin Brothers
Draper is a post player with a little bit of athleticism and is starting to be able to stretch out the floor a little bit more. She’s really good around the rim where she can bully her way to the basket and score the ball. Draper is a good passer out of the post with the ability to make the easy pass once the double team comes. She runs the floor well and finishes through contact at the other end. She’s still developing but this summer has really started to push her and help her improve.
#8 – Alicia Garcia – 6′ PF – Muscatine – Lady Martin Brothers
Garcia is another player who has committed to Northern Iowa in the top ten. She’s a stretch four with the ability to shoot the ball at a pretty good clip. She can defend both forward positions but in college I think she’ll be used as a stretch four, much like pretty much everyone else in the top ten it seems. Really solid basketball knowledge and she’s got the ability to really mix it up on the inside while staying poised and in control of the basketball. She’s going to be a player who doesn’t take your breath away but will do all of the little things well.
#9 – Ella Van Weelden – 6’ SF – Marion – Lady Martin Brothers
Van Weelden is a really interesting wing because she is an extension of the coach on the floor. I like her willingness to compete and is pound for pound one of the toughest players on the floor. She’s always talking and communicating with her teammates and you can tell she’s a student of the game. An unorthodox outside shot, but it works really well for her. Starting to gain the strength to play on and around the inside a little bit more and that’s going to be the next step in her development.
#10 – Maggie Phipps – 5’10 SG – North Polk – All Iowa Attack EYBL 2020
Phipps committed to Drake over a year ago and finds herself at the last spot in the top ten. She’s a strong and active guard who is always moving and looking to do things on the floor. I really like her aggressiveness to the basket and willingness to shoot the ball at any time. The next step in her game needs to be getting more efficient and once that happens she’ll continually rise closer to the top of the list.