Five Montgomery County League Rising Juniors to Watch
With the recent news to allow Maryland public schools to resume fall sports in October, that brings new hope to a 2020-21 season, which means that the best of the best in girls basketball can battle it out on the…
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Continue ReadingWith the recent news to allow Maryland public schools to resume fall sports in October, that brings new hope to a 2020-21 season, which means that the best of the best in girls basketball can battle it out on the court.
The competition will be fierce, and nowhere is that more present that in the Montgomery County League. This article will be focusing on the 2A/3A schools, so here’s a list of five rising juniors from that crop you should watch out for this coming season.
Kailey Perkins, SG/SF Blake: Perkins is a versatile scoring option, playing at both forward and shooting guard. Expect her to play more as a shooting guard because of her size, but she can shoot it from the outside and isn’t afraid to, hence the expectation for her to play more of the shooting guard role. Her agility is an asset on the break, but very much on defense, where her basketball IQ is on full display, picking passes off. Perkins is going to flourish in both ways this season.
Jessica Whitney, F Demascus: Whitney is the perfect combination of speed and height, and is a force to be reckoned with on the court. She plays on the block, which puts her in prime position as a shot blocker. That also has given her ample opportunities to pick off passes down low. Whitney uses her figure to get into the lane and take it to defenders to give her ample scoring opportunities. Whitney has the ability to thrive in her position and expect her to do just that this season.
Emily Bupp, G Poolesville: Bupp has breakout speed on the court, especially on fast breaks. She is relied upon heavily on the defensive end, and for good reason as she can rack up steals by the bunch game after game. Her excellent court vision allows her more opportunities for steals on defense, and for a Poolesville team that was among the best in the state last season, is a massive asset moving forward. Bupp is the agile combo guard that can get it done.
Nia Newman Nia Newman 5'6" | SF Rockville | 2022 State MD , F Rockville: Newman, along with sister Naila, are arguably Rockville’s two best players. Nia, the taller of the twins, is versatile on the court and can score from pretty much anywhere on the floor. She has a pure shot from the perimeter, but if that look isn’t open, expect her to penetrate into the lane for a floater or layup, or settle for a mid-range jumper. She’s agile and acrobatic in the paint, and isn’t afraid to shoot. Nia’s confidence and competitive drive makes her stand out and is a big talking point for this season.
Naila Newman Naila Newman 5'1" | PG Rockville | 2022 State MD , G Rockville: Naila is a pesky defender, agile on her feet, an excellent ball handler, and a sharp-shooter. On defense, she excels both on-ball and off-ball, able to track back to get in the position for a steal. With the ball, she’s quick and can bob and weave through defenses. Naila isn’t afraid to draw contact, and she looks extremely comfortable and confident from beyond the arc, with a quick and easy release. If she doesn’t have an open look, she’s passing it off to a teammate for an open look. She plays like a 5’6” guard at 5’1”, and is a force to be reckoned with.
Be sure to look out for more previews as the season comes closer.