The Rankings: Stock Risers in the Class of 2021
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With the release of the latest Prep Girls Hoops Colorado rankings update for the Class of 2021 just after the midway point of Season B, it’s a good time to highlight a few players who have really taken step forward as seniors.
Here are five uncommitted 2021’s on the PGH Colorado list who’s stocks are on the rise.
Samantha Jones Samantha Jones 6'0" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2021 State CO , 6’0, SF, Regis Jesuit
It would be hard to argue that theirs is a single player in Colorado who has pushed her to stock to new heights under difficult conditions in Season B than Jones. Jones always appeared to be primed for greatness and Division-I teammate Avery VanSickle Avery VanSickle 5'9" | SG Regis Jesuit | 2021 State #71 Nation CO playing limited minutes this season has opened the door for her to shine.
A good athlete with good strength and a high motor, Jones can play inside-out at both ends of the floor. She currently leads No. 3-ranked Regis Jesuit (9-1) in scoring with 14.8 points per game. She’s also averaging 4.9 rebounds, two assists and 2.6 steals. A four-year varsity starter for one of Colorado’s most consistently excellent programs, Jones is a career 37 percent 3-point shooter who is shooting 48 percent (11 for 23) as a senior.
Jones has flown under the radar for years and she’s seizing the opportunity to prove her immense value as a recruit.
Amyah Moore Amyah Moore 5'9" | SG Harrison | 2021 State CO , 5’9, SG, Harrison
Looking to follow her older sister Diamond Moore Diamond Moore 5'10" | PF Harrison | 2020 State CO into the collegiate basketball ranks, Moore has offers but is putting together a senior season far more deserving than the level of attention she has received to date. She currently leads the entire state in scoring, averaging 27.2 points a night, while shooting 57 percent (86 for 150) from the field and 36 percent (9 for 25) from 3-point range.
The senior guard is among Colorado’s more athletic and versatile players – a true stat sheet stuffer who averages a double-double. Moore currently puts up, on average, 27.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 5.6 steals and 2.9 blocks per game. Her athleticism and skill make her a threat at both ends of the floor and a player who can dictate the pace of the game both on offense and defense.
Diamond may the elder, but Amyah is the true diamond in the rough out in Colorado.
Alyssa Wells Alyssa Wells 5'9" | SG Holy Family | 2021 State CO , 5’9, SG, Holy Family
Playing for a perennial contender in Class 4A, Wells has been a known commodity for years. But watching her play as a senior, she looks different – stronger, faster, more aggressive and ready to catch fire from 3-point range at a moment’s notice.
In a matchup of top-five team with Windsor last week, for example, her team (now ranked No. 1) was down and Wells’ second half – four 3-pointers, 16 points, and a steal and layup with seven second on the clock that sent the game to overtime and set up a Tigers victory. The two-sport standout (basketball and cross country) is leading the Tigers in scoring with 16.9 points per game and also averages, 4.2 assists, 2.4 rebounds and six steals per game, while 43 percent (28 for 65) from 3-point range.
Wells is a true competitor who has the ability and drive to play either basketball or cross country in college, whatever level that ends up being. Fell senior teammates Tyler Whitlock Tyler Whitlock 5'11" | SF Holy Family | 2021 State CO , Cecilia Aanerud Cecilia Aanerud 6'1" | PF Holy Family | 2021 State CO , Dylan Sanders Dylan Sanders 5'3" | PG Holy Family | 2021 State CO and Daniella Hren Daniella Hren 5'8" | SF Holy Family | 2021 State CO are intriguing prospects, as well.
Katy Edwards Katy Edwards 5'10" | SF Arapahoe | 2021 State CO , 5’10, SF, Arapahoe
Edwards missed last season with a knee injury, but has come storming back in Season B.
The multi-sport senior standout is second in scoring on a solid Arapahoe squad with 15.4 points per game, which is 16th in Class 5A. She’s not doing it against soft competition, either, scoring in double figures against the likes of Grandview, Mullen, Cherry Creek and Eaglecrest. Edwards is also averaging 4.1 rebounds per game and is shooting 49 percent from the floor to form a nice one-two punch with teammate Sam Crispe Sam Crispe 6'1" | PF Arapahoe | 2022 State CO .
Here's some highlights from Nike TOC Session 2 in Iowa @AHSGBBWarriors @PGHColorado @Hardwood_Elite pic.twitter.com/PooFVP8g4Y
— Katy Edwards (@EdwardsKaty24) July 28, 2020
Taylor Vandenberg Taylor Vandenberg 6'1" | SF Longmont Christian | 2021 State CO , 6’1, SF, Longmont Christian
Vandenberg plays in Class 1A but her height, length and skill play on the club circuit. Her talent is apparent and should be more than enough for her to overcome the “stigma” of playing against small-school competition.
At 6-foot-1, Vandenberg has long arms, as well as great coordination and balance. Currently, she is averaging 23.8 points per game, which is second in all of Colorado and trails only Moore, who is listed above. Vandenberg is also a smart player and knows how to get open and set up in the paint or on the block while moving without the ball. She can also put the ball on the floor at times and has the potential to develop into a better long-range shooter at the next level.
Check out my club season highlights!! Thank you @NTripleThreatBB for the opportunity to have played this summer! https://t.co/E87kUVcwq1
— Taylor Vandenburg (@taylorvan_13) July 31, 2020