27 Mid-Season Surprises
Everyone Likes Surprises, whether at Christmas, on birthdays, or upon seeing action on-court. Surprising performances popped out every week. It’s worth noting that more players would hit this list IF ONLY they believed more in themselves and just played hard…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEveryone Likes Surprises, whether at Christmas, on birthdays, or upon seeing action on-court. Surprising performances popped out every week. It’s worth noting that more players would hit this list IF ONLY they believed more in themselves and just played hard – do not over-think the game. Here is a partial summary.
2020’s
Tishara Hardy – Flandreau G 5’6 – Mad bomber from three-point-land and tenacious defender.
JC Pulse – McCook G 5’7 – Track MVP led near-upset of STM with foot speed, penetrating drives, and scoring prowess.
Grace Martin – RC Stevens F 5’10 – Steady floor presence with high IQ, and ever-in-motion to board, to score, and to defend.
Abby Van Ruler – McCook C 6’3 – Anchored defense, changing shots, blocking shots, and dominating the boards.
Kaylee Wells – Crow Creek F 5’10 – One of three Wells on roster, Kaylee is the paint patrol officer – went over 1,000-pts last week.
Delaney Klosterman – STM G 5’7 – Source of sudden changes on defense with steals, alert passing, and opportunistic scoring.
Kianna Payer – Tripp-Delmont/Armour G 5’9 – 1,000-pt scorer from traditional power program
Sydney Wickersham – Parkston 5’8 G – Does everything well, starting with ball handling fundamentals, leading to team leadership.
2021’s
Halle Heinz – Ipswich G 5’6 – 1000-pt scorer – Go-To leader, with slick moves at all three levels. Very mobile and quick-quick-quick.
Olivia Ritter – Tea Area G 5’9 – Shoots true jumper from short-or-long range, rebounds, ditributes, posted up, and defended – Awesome!
Ella Heinitz – Dell Rapids St Marys G 5’7 – Tesla-like acceleration, rim runner, and good ball skills. An emerging talent going up fast.
Kalla Bertram – Winner – G 5’8 – Extremely active and agile, with an explosive first step into high vertical scorer. College Prospect, period.
Raven Barse – Corsica/Stickney F 5’10 – Great footwork in the lane, defending, and scoring – complements teammates abilities.
Izzy Moore – SF O’Gorman W 5’10 – Explosive, athletic, quick, great ball handles, high verticals, trey scorer, rim runner, all state
2022’s
Morgan Fiedler – Aberdeen Roncalli G 5’7 – Speedy and secure ball handler, with high upside as scorer and leader.
Zoey Wohlleber – Waubay/Summit G 5’6 – Splendid shot-maker, from the perimeter to rim runs. A real-life court magician. 1,000-pt career pts.
Kaela Martinez – SF Roosevelt G 5’8 – Strong ball skills allow penetrations, keeps defenders at bay, and open lanes for snap passes.
Lexi VanderPol – Andes Central F 6’1 – Brought ball upcourt, defended in the paint, and ran the floor. Add a gallon of self-confidence and watch out.
Jayda McNabb – RC Stevens W 5’9 – Do-All tool, great floor vision with ability to change the game scoring, or defending.
Josslin Jarding – West Central G 5’6 – Point with great floor IQ; able to drive, shoot, and defend. As Josslin goes, so goes the team.
Ashtyn Wobig – McCook G/F 5’9 – Active and strong, her board work and scoring stand out.
2023’s
Scarlet Grimshaw – STM G 5’5 – Off the bench early to spark game tempo, drop treys, and ball hawk. Next one up for the Blue Cav’s.
Ally Abraham – Hamilin F 5’10 – Game changes when Ally enters to defend, to body-up inside, and to collapse zone defenses.
Kami Wadsworth – Hamlin F 5’10 – Everyone had heard about Kami. You don’t fully appreciate her until tip-off. This is a first-round draft choice (for college).
Olivia Kieffer – RC Christian G 5’9 – Big Time scoring machine, with wheels and floor IQ.
Cierra Watkins – SF Roosevelt G 5’6 – Future of Rough Rider GBB lies here, in ball fundamental skills, floor sense, and scoring versatility.
Bergen Reilly – SF O’Gorman F 6’0 – An elite VB athlete, excelling in BB, and probably whipping everyone at Fortnite in her spare time.