Top Juniors in NC Hoops
With the senior class season and career over it is time for the juniors to take center stage and to assume the leadership role of their respective programs. After two to three years in the program they all are experienced,…
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Continue ReadingWith the senior class season and career over it is time for the juniors to take center stage and to assume the leadership role of their respective programs. After two to three years in the program they all are experienced, talented and poised for the spotlight next season. The talent and depth of this group assure we will have plenty of great basketball to watch next year and colleges all over the US will be visiting our state to view and sign this talented bunch.
Leading this group is Jessica Timmons Jessica Timmons 5'9" | PG Independence | 2021 State #68 Nation NC a 5’9” combo guard from North Mecklenburg who averaged 24.7ppg and 8 rpg and is sure to be atop of many big-time schools recruiting board. She is a special guard with a tremendous athletic ability which allows her to score at will both in the open court and in transition. Her ability to handle the ball makes her even more difficult to defend as she can create her shot whenever she needs to. She possesses an excellent shooting touch from deep and also defends really well making her a complete player. Her honors include being ranked in the top 50 on the ESPNW recruiting list, 1st Team All-State both on the NCCBA and Sudden link lists, POY and 1st Team All-District as well as All-Conference honor to name a few. She is a truly elite player and one that will be a pleasure to watch in her senior year.
When you are being recruited by three of the biggest women’s basketball teams in the US in number one ranked South Carolina and powerhouses UConn and Notre Dame you have to be one serious player. Saniya Rivers Saniya Rivers 5'11" | SG Ashley | 2021 State #3 Nation NC of Ashley, who averaged 25ppg, 11rpg and 6spg is that player. There is no overlooking her athletic ability, she is dynamic in the open court in transition and finishes well around the rim, she creates her own shot with no problem and shoots the ball with lethal efficiency but what makes her truly elite is she does it at 6’0” which explains the interest from the big 3. To round off all her offensive talents she is a terror on defense with quickness to pressure the ball and size and length to defend passing lanes which leads to deflections and explains her 6 steals per game and turns offense to defense. Her honors include top 10 on the ESPNW recruiting list, 1st Team All-State on both Sudden link and NCCBA lists as well as 1st Team All-District and All-Conference to name a few. She is going to be one of the must-watch players next season and it will be interesting to see who secures her services after high school.
Just because you may not play in some of the big-time conferences or cities doesn’t hide the fact you are truly unique player to be taken seriously and that truly describes Emily Carver of Enka who averaged 27ppg and 6rpg last season. One can’t sleep on this player’s basketball skills great shooter, excellent ball handler and passer who rebounds well. Her shooting skills are truly special but her main strength is her extremely high basketball IQ this girl just knows how to play the game. She knows where to be and when to be there which may make up for any lack of speed or quickness, she reads the game about as well as any high school player I have seen recently and just seems to be in the right place at the right time and just makes the right play. This quality will not go overlooked by colleges as she heads into her senior year. Her honors include the 2nd team All-State on both the Sudden link and NCCBA lists as well as POY and 1st Team All-District to name a few. When you have her basketball smarts the sky is the limit and it will be exciting to watch her stocks rise as she competes next season.
Another prospect that has the likes of UConn, Notre Dame and local in-state powerhouse NC State is Teonni Key Teonni Key 6'3" | PF Cary | 2021 #21 Nation NC of Cary who averaged 21ppg and 14rpg last season. What sets her apart from all other players on the high school scene is her Versatility. She is that new age post player that possesses the ability to step out and make the 15 footers or 3 pointers as well as post and dominate in the post. Her versatility extends to defense as well where she can guard multiple positions and her length and athletic ability allows her to pressure on the perimeter, defend the post, and block shots and rebound. With talents like these no wonder her skills are so sought after at the next level where she will be ready to step in and contribute right away. Her skill set allows her to comfortable in any system whether it’s up-tempo pressure style or a slower down patience approach. Her honors include the top 25 on the ESPNW recruiters list, 2nd Team All-State on the NCCBA list as well as 1st Team All-District and All-Conference to name a few. If you want to see the way the game is played today and in the future then don’t miss any of her games next season and the battle for her services at the next level is truly something to watch next season.
Another player I feel stocks will rise in the senior year is Hannah Tipton of Mountain Heritage who averaged 19ppg and 7rpg. She led the team to the state 2A championship last season where she was named MVP and she just has the skills to needed to be a top Division 1 player. She has great size at the guard position at 5’11” and she uses this to her advantage to finish in the lane and see over and shoot over smaller opponents. Her shooting ability and ability to put the ball in the basket from all over the court makes her special. Whether you need her to run your offense and make good decisions or to play the off guard position and come off screens and shoot or score she is more than comfortable in either role. Her work ethic on both ends of the floor shows she wants to be considered an elite player and before the end of the season she will prove that and receive plenty of interest from Division 1 programs. Her honors include 2nd Team All-State by Sudden link and 3rd Team All-State by NCCBA as well as 1st Team All-District and All-Conference honors as well. She is definitely one to not miss playing next season and her pure shooting touch and scoring ability will not go unrecognized by the Division 1 schools and the battle for her services is only going to intensify.
Another member of the strong junior class of guards in NC that will guarantee that NC is a hotspot for major Division 1 recruiters is Reigan Richardson Reigan Richardson 6'0" | SG Cannon School | 2021 State #32 Nation NC of Cannon High School who averaged 23ppg and 8rpg last season. The first thing you notice about her is her quickness she is at her best in the open court where she can use her speed and skills to finish at the rim or score off the dribble. She also possesses a smooth jumper whether off the dribble or standstill which is a viable and reliable weapon. She also defends well uses her quickness to cause havoc for offensive players. At 5’11” she is a great size for either guard spot that is what has the major Division 1 programs vying for her signature. Her honors include the top 50 on the ESPNW recruiters list as well as 2nd Team All-State on the Sudden link list to name a few. She is going to be one to watch and one that assures girls high school gyms throughout the state is filled with Division 1 coaches and scouts and will make watching the recruiting race for the talents of these special players very entertaining.