Eastern District – Breakout 2022s Part I
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Players entering their junior season have already begun emerging and some are even household names thanks to their efforts both on the varsity court, and at club-level tournaments across the area. Still, not every diamond starts shining at the same…
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Continue ReadingPlayers entering their junior season have already begun emerging and some are even household names thanks to their efforts both on the varsity court, and at club-level tournaments across the area. Still, not every diamond starts shining at the same time.
Sometimes talent takes a little longer to blossom. Sometimes, the message about work ethic and dedication to craft takes a bit longer to be realized and for the message to truly sink in.
I’ve witnessed more than a fair share of 2022s turning in great performances during the first half of December. Some I’ve expected big things from while others have been pleasant surprises. Even still, some of those I’ve expected it out of still find a way to add a further wrinkle to their game.
Here’s a quick rundown of those 2023s I’ve been lucky enough to witness thus far.
Kalista Friday Kalista Friday 5'4" | PG Woodsfield Monroe Central | 2022 State OH , 5-2, 2022, Monroe Central
The Eastern District features a number of short, but dangerous point guards, and Friday may be the best of the bunch. Her offensive arsenal is as diverse as it is effective. Range? Check. Mid-range game? Check. Solid handles? Double check on that one. Friday can knife through the lane, finishing with either hand, and can also finish against contact. She’s certainly not afraid to work against much taller players deep in the paint. Her speed makes her dangerous in transition and no game goes by without Friday collecting a few easy transition layups off steals. Far from the only offensive option for the Seminoles, Friday also gets her teammates involved in the offense, but there’s no question who the top threat is. Her game earned her an all-Ohio special mention as a sophomore. That is sure to increase this season as the junior is averaging 22.7 per game and hits at above 80 percent at the line.
Hannah Archer Hannah Archer 5'7" | CG Beverly Fort Frye | 2022 State OH , 5-7, 2022, Fort Frye
Fort Frye is taking the unfinished business attitude to this season after last year ended before their state semifinal game tipped off. The team boasts both seniors and juniors who can and do, light up the scoreboard. But it’s this junior who comes up biggest when the Cadets need her. Against Union Local, which features two of Ohio’s top 2023s, Archer supplied 23 points in a 56-44 win against a team that put up 101 points earlier this week. She can drop 3-pointers from anywhere on the court, but Archer’s game isn’t limited to the deep ball. She can and will drive and leaving her open from 15-feet is not advisable. The Cadets are unbeaten and facing a potential showdown with fellow unbeaten Hiland with only one able to advance to the state tournament.
Amasia Barnett, 5-3, 2022, Philo
Philo is off to a 6-2 start and junior point guard Amasia Barnett is a big key to that early-season success. The 5-3 guard packs a lot of punch into her frame and attacks the basket with precision and purpose with either hand. Barnett is also capable of lighting it up from behind the arc and has a number of games where’s she knocked down multiple triples. Possessing a solid set of handles, Barnett’s ability to drive allows her to attack and dump off or kick to an open teammate in the corner. Defensively, her speed leads to steals in the Electrics match-up zone. She possesses a well-rounded game. Once her free-throw percentage gets a boost, it will only increase her effectiveness offensively.
Alyssa Miller, 5-11, 2022, New Philadelphia
New Philadelphia has a strong junior class, featuring post and rebounding machine Ajia Schreffler and point guard Audrey Harr. But a third influential junior is starting to make a name for herself in Alyssa Miller. She’s averaged 9.9 points per game through eight, but a steady increase has culminated in the last three games as Miller’s hit for double figures against quality competition, hitting for 12.7 during that span. Miller can work from down low or from the elbow and, while not the team’s top 3-point threat, she’s capable of hitting deep balls at a good clip. What impressed me most was her efforts on the defensive end. Miller has good size but isn’t as solidly built as Schreffler. But she’s not afraid to mix it up for rebounds or guard the team’s top interior threat. Miller defended Big Red’s Abram strong and limited her points when drawing that assignment. Abram is quick, aggressive, and a tough defend. But Miller more than held her own in a narrow victory.
Lexi Martin, 5-9, 2022, Steubenville
Martin’s development path took an abrupt turn last season when the team’s leading scorer, now senior Makayla Abram Makayla Abram 5'11" | C Steubenville | 2021 OH , missed the campaign with a knee injury. It thrust Martin and her teammates into increased offensive roles. Martin responded by averaging 13 and 7 as a sophomore. Abram’s return and insertion as the offensive focal point has shuffled responsibilities. Martin’s average has fallen to nine points per game thus far, but her importance to this team has not. Good speed for her size, Martin commands attention when she attacks the basket off the dribble, pulling attention away from other players. She’s enough of a perimeter threat that her range must be respected. In adjusting, she’s become a force on the offensive glass, using her quickness to position herself for offensive boards and easy putbacks. She’s able to keep up defensively against smaller guards or body up and bang with posts with equal effectiveness. Most importantly, Martin has developed into a solid passer, both in the paint and along the outside, firing skip passes across the court or nailing a cutting Abram with a perfectly-timed entry pass.