Top 2023 Players from the Nebraska State Tournament Part I
Making the jump from junior high to high school is difficult. If you leap a level once you are in high school, you’ve got some good talent. If you’re on Varsity as a frosh, you’ve probably got some really good…
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Continue ReadingMaking the jump from junior high to high school is difficult. If you leap a level once you are in high school, you’ve got some good talent. If you’re on Varsity as a frosh, you’ve probably got some really good talent. If you’re contributing on a state tournament, or in some cases, a state championship, team as a freshman, you’ve got a chance to have an outstanding high school career. Here are some players that I have not scouted yet that were at the Nebraska State Tournament that helped these teams advance to the last weekend of the season.
Adison Markowski (5’8″, Lincoln Pius X): Markowski started for a dominant Pius squad that ripped through a deep Class A field, with Markowski playing a big role in it. She’s a very nice shooter and has a strong build to her. She’s got a strong feel for the game and makes the right play in space and off the ball. She is an adequate ball handler but she needs to work on her off the bounce game to diversify her offensive skill set. She will continue to improve and be a big part of Pius’ attempt to repeat next season.
Carly Purdy (6’0″, North Platte): One of the big surprises of the Class A season was the Bulldogs, and Purdy was a big part of that. A nice face up post player, Purdy averaged 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds a game, and I see her game growing even further. She can be physical in the post, but is more comfortable facing up to the basket or getting out in transition. I believe that if Purdy continues to improve, she could be a very solid Division II prospect, and she is going to be an integral part for the Bulldogs to make a deeper run than the first round next season.
Sabrina Harsh (6’0″, Scottsbluff): A pure athlete who is a raw player, Harsh played an outstanding game in the Bearcats upset of the third-seeded Bennington Badgers. A terrific rebounder, especially on the offensive glass, Harsh can run the floor like a gazelle and plays the game with a chip on her shoulder. Her older brother is a Division I football player, so there is a toughness in the family. She is not overly skilled yet, but if she puts in the time, she has a chance to be an outstanding player.
Kaitlyn Emanuel (5’10″, North Bend-Central): There might not have been a freshman that made a bigger splash than Emanuel, whose versatility and athleticism helped lead the Tigers to their first state championship since 2001. Averaging 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds a game, Emanuel actually came off the bench for the Tigers, which I really like; a low-ego player who was willing to play her role for the good of the team. She’s long, athletic, disruptive on defense and attacks the rim with ferocity. She’s got the upside to be a Division II player, and if she develops her outside game, she could be a lower-level Division I kid.
Autumn Iversen (5’6″, Wahoo): Iversen is an athletic, strong player. She is quick, has a nice perimeter shot and does a really nice job on the defensive end. She averaged almost six points a game while playing her role as the 6th man for the Warriors, and Coach Linda Walker lauded the great energy to the floor for Wahoo. Iversen is a terrific competitor, and with the graduation of Kendal Brigham Kendal Brigham 5'7" | SG Wahoo | 2020 State NE , she will have to step up on both ends of the floor for the Warriors.
Rachel Gooden (6’2″, Hastings Adams Central): Goodon has great size and aggressiveness for a freshman. Right now she is an excellent rebounder (7.4 rpg), especially on the offensive end, and plays good defense. Most of her offensive damage is done around the basket, and she is not much of an outside threat, but she still averaged 6.1 points. She also needs to work on her ball handling to be a pressure release, but has a great build and good feet for a freshman in the post. Keep an eye on her the next three years.
Lauryn Scott (5’8″, Hastings Adams Central): Another great freshman for Adams Central, who has an outstanding core of returning players and figure to be in the state championship picture next season. Scott may still be growing, and she also has great strength. She threw in five points a game, and handles the ball well for a freshman, but she needs to get better at her ball handling to take the next step. Like Goodon, most of her damage comes from around the basket, but she has a good enough shot to expand her range if she is willing to put the time in.