Five Montgomery County Rising Juniors to Watch: 4A South
Winston Churchill High School was the class of the Montgomery County 4A South division in the 2019-20 season, going a perfect 11-0 in conference play and 26-1 overall before the COVID-19 pandemic hit on a worldwide scale. It was a…
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Continue ReadingWinston Churchill High School was the class of the Montgomery County 4A South division in the 2019-20 season, going a perfect 11-0 in conference play and 26-1 overall before the COVID-19 pandemic hit on a worldwide scale.
It was a two-horse race for supremacy in this division last season, but the 2020-21 season brings a new year and new level of competition. Here’s a list of five rising juniors to watch when the season starts.
Irene Haramis, SG Winston Churchill: Haramis can do it all as a shooting guard, a combination of a lethal shooter from outside and an excellent ball handler who can get into the lane and score with ease. Haramis does not force up bad shots, but if there is an open look, she’s going to take it and has immense confidence to shoot from anywhere on the court. On defense, she can pretty much do it all too, blocking down low, grabbing any rebound near her, and causing a lot of turnovers and fast breaks.
Nora Fairbanks-Lee, PF/C Bethesda-Chevy Chase: Fairbanks-Lee is a formidable force for Bethesda-Chevy Chase, and that showed in her game tape this summer. She’s a multi-dimensional player, able to drive from both her left and right, and uses her frame to get into the lane to put herself in a prime position to score. Fairbanks-Lee can shoot it from the outside and plays great off-ball offense. On defense, she’s a shot-blocker and a tall presence in the lane not to be messed with.
Alexa Hackmann, SG Walter Johnson: Hackmann is one of Walter Johnson’s best perimeter shooters, and is a well-balanced player all-around. Her prime asset is her shooting, a sharp-shooter at that, and has a pure stroke from outside the arc. Passing and rebounding ability is superb from the guard position, and she can get up and down the floor quickly. Her game speed allows her to get opportunities to score. And don’t discount her defense as someone who can create turnovers and block shots.
Shaylyn Woods, SG Richard Montgomery: Woods has everything you look for in a shooting guard and some. She can shoot the three with ease, or can mix up shots from mid-range or up close. Basically, pick a spot on the court and she can make it with confidence. Her speed and agility allows her to track back for a chase-down block or start up a fast break. Woods has great awareness as a defender, a reliable player on both sides of the ball that is a game-changing, dynamic presence on the floor.
Ava James, SG/SF Walt Whitman: James is a versatile player, able to play as a guard or forward. Her passing ability is excellent, and she is very selfless with the ball. If she has an open look, she’s going to drive to the basket to give herself and her team an opportunity to score. However, if that’s not available, she’s dishing that ball off immediately. She can score, she can pass and she can cause turnovers. James has everything you want playing the 2 or 3 on the floor.
There are many more players to preview as the season creeps closer, so stay tuned for more articles upcoming.