Five Montgomery County Rising Juniors to Watch: 4A/3A West
There is fervent excitement in the air for the upcoming 2020-21 high school girls basketball season around the state of Maryland. With the 2019-20 campaign ending abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, programs across the state are eager to get…
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Continue ReadingThere is fervent excitement in the air for the upcoming 2020-21 high school girls basketball season around the state of Maryland.
With the 2019-20 campaign ending abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, programs across the state are eager to get back on the court and train for what’s expected to be a competitive year.
This article finishes up talking about the four Montgomery County divisions, as here are five rising juniors to watch this season in 4A/3A West.
Mia Smith Mia Smith 5'9" | SF Clarksburg | 2022 State MD , PG Clarksburg: Smith shows a lot of promise in the point guard role, starting out with her defending. She’s great both on-ball and off-ball, causing a lot of turnovers, especially playing in a high-press defense that Clarksburg can showcase. Not only does that mean points for her, but also shot opportunities and points for her teammates. Smith has good court speed, allowing her to push the tempo of the game. She thrives in the lane and forces her way into it with the ball, making plays and putting Clarksburg in a prime position to win games.
Madison Bechard, PF Northwest: Bechard uses her 5’11” frame to dominate the paint on both sides of the ball. Her long arms allow her to receive passes to get shot and scoring opportunities. On defense, she’s a big presence down low, blocking shots and hauling in rebounds to start fast breaks. Bechard plays much like a center, but definitely shows agility and plays hard. Her determined mindset plays a big role in her success on the floor and is something to look out for this upcoming season.
Julia Kavadias, G Quince Orchard: Kavadias is a sharp-shooter and has a smooth shooting motion. She shows ample confidence beyond the arc and shoots the three with ease. She’s not only able to move off-ball and spot-up shoot from anywhere, but she has great court awareness, which shines on defense. Kavadias is a fantastic off-ball defender, able to track back and run after a pass, putting herself already in motion to start a fast break and create scoring opportunities.
Olivia Martin, G/F Quince Orchard: Martin brings a lot of versatility to Quince Orchard, moving up to varsity from JV in the middle of the season. Her experience from last year will carry into this year as she makes things happen on the court. She is an excellent defender, one who will dive for a loose ball or jump to intercept a pass that’s near her. While not playing much on varsity last season, her role will exponentially increase this season, meaning more spot-up shooting from anywhere and more deflected passes on defense.
Katie Dunda, SF Quince Orchard: Dunda plays with a lot of grit and intensity and that shows in her film. If there is a rebound opportunity down low, she’s doing everything she can to get it. On offense, she gets herself in a position to score a lot, just showing by the frequency of her getting into the paint. Dunda was a reliable scoring option for Quince Orchard, and for good reason as you can see her confidence with the ball in her hands. Expect the same, if not more, moving into this year.
Keep on the lookout for more player previews and profiles as the 2020-21 high school season comes closer.