Colorado’s Most Efficient Scorers – Part Two
Who has the better game? The player who goes 6-19 from the field for 17 points? Or the one who shoots 5-8 with 15 points? Efficiency matters for team success and points per shot (PPS) is a simple way to…
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Continue ReadingWho has the better game? The player who goes 6-19 from the field for 17 points? Or the one who shoots 5-8 with 15 points? Efficiency matters for team success and points per shot (PPS) is a simple way to evaluate efficiency. Players are rewarded who take quality shots, who get to the line and convert, and who knock down a high percentage of threes.
I looked at the top 250 scorers from last year. Of those, ninety-five graduated, leaving 155 returning players. Seventeen of those 155 players averaged at least 1.33 points per shot. If you missed Part One, check it out here. Here are numbers nine through seventeen:
Name | School | Year | PPG | PPS |
Alex Pirog Alex Pirog 6'3" | C Highlands Ranch | 2022 State CO | Highlands Ranch | 2022 | 12.9 | 1.5 |
Pirog’s division one offerings are pouring in now and it’s no wonder. The 6’3″ talented prospect owns the paint defensively and in that tough Falcons matchup zone she’s constantly in position to alter shots. She plays unselfishly with the ball, dropped 220 points on 150 shots, and even recorded five games with 2.0 points per shot or more. Highlands Ranch graduated a lot but is rebuilding quickly. They nearly knocked off Grandview in a June summer camp matchup with Pirog bodying up 6’7″ Lauren Betts Lauren Betts 6'7" | C Grandview | 2022 State #1 Nation CO .
Taylin Serlen Taylin Serlen 6'1" | PF Standley Lake | 2024 State CO | Standley Lake | 2024 | 13.4 | 1.5 |
The Gators’ best player had an impressive season making this list as a freshman. She scored 188 points on just 129 shots averaging a double-double along the way. Serlen hit the twenty point mark four times and picked up 3.4 steals a game. The Gators will need to develop some outside shooters to compliment Serlen inside and give this young 6’1″ budding star more room to work.
Avery Hughes Avery Hughes 5'7" | PG Heritage Christian | 2023 State CO | Heritage Christian | 2023 | 19.3 | 1.4 |
What a monster season for Hughes, jumping from 4.5 PPG as a freshman to 19.3 as a sophomore. She scored 15 points or more in every single game and torched opponents from deep, hitting 44% behind the arc. The Eagles gave the eventual state champions from Limon their toughest test of the playoffs in a Sweet 16 overtime battle and Hughes is a big reason why.
Erika Kuta | Delta | 2022 | 12.0 | 1.4 |
Sure, she’s playing for a top program at a great time, but Kuta is much more than right-place-right-time. She’s a six-foot, athletic center who pushes the envelope of post-versatility, stretch-4 capabilities. Kuta hit five threes which was just enough to distract opponents from her highly efficient inside game (61% FG). Far from a slow, lethargic post who steals the air from the gym, Kuta instead adds pop to the Panthers’ offense. She plays with her eyes up and finds points without forcing attempts.
Jayda Maves Jayda Maves 5'8" | SG Green Mountain | 2023 State CO | Green Mountain | 2023 | 18.0 | 1.4 |
Double digit scoring in every game, a made three in every game but one, plus 76% free throw shooting are a surefire formula to make this list. Maves makes her whole team better by drawing deny defense and early help from everyone she faces. She gets a lot of her offense in transition off of ferocious on-ball defense and running the floor taking 50-foot outlet passes from teammate, Avery Oaster Avery Oaster 6'0" | PF Green Mountain | 2022 State CO . Maves is the fourth highest scorer in the state in her grade and one of the top shooters (41% 3-point shooting).
Mason Rowland Mason Rowland 5'8" | CG Durango | 2023 State CO | Durango | 2023 | 15.0 | 1.3 |
At 5’8″ you might expect Rowland to do her damage behind the arc. She can when needed hitting six threes last year, but she made her name by slicing, dicing, driving, attacking, and flat out hustling to the rack. Rowland pulled off the rare 3.0 PPS game, nearly willing her team to a statement win over Centauri, scoring 27 points on nine shots in a 52-49 loss. She even found a way to drop fifteen on Mullen’s championship cohort of club superstars. Creativity and basketball instinct are deep with this one.
Payton Sterk Payton Sterk 5'10" | PG Doherty | 2022 State CO | Doherty | 2022 | 16.3 | 1.3 |
One of the most versatile players on this list, Sterk’s combination of size (5’10”) and ball handling sets her apart. She was the best player on her top-10 5A team, dropping 245 points on 182 shots. Some players made this list by dominating inside. Some made it by hitting threes. Sterk does both. She nailed 42% (25-60) of her threes and 74% (50-68) at the free throw line. She’s a headache no matter how you choose to defend her.
Addicyn Kessinger Addicyn Kessinger 6'0" | SF Akron | 2024 State CO | Akron | 2024 | 13.6 | 1.3 |
This 6’0″ freshman had a strong start to her career scoring 191 points on 142 shots. It’s safe to say she’s a game changer as Kessinger scored 34.1% of her team’s total offense and grabbed 40.1% of her team’s rebounds. She’s the top 2A freshman in both categories.
Avery Oaster Avery Oaster 6'0" | PF Green Mountain | 2022 State CO | Green Mountain | 2022 | 12.0 | 1.3 |
Oaster is a six-footer who defends like she’s 6’2″ and attacks the rim like she’s A’ja Wilson. She’s a force who’s dominated some of the best in this year’s club and school seasons. Her mobility makes her hard to deny from low to high post and once she catches the ball her decision-making, poise, and passing ability (1.56 A/T Ratio) make her one of the best.