Stock-Risers: 2023 Updated Rankings
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The sophomore season is the biggest opportunity to make a jump, especially for players at bigger schools where it’s harder to contribute as a freshman. There are some huge movers in the class of 2023 Updated Rankings in the first…
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Continue ReadingThe sophomore season is the biggest opportunity to make a jump, especially for players at bigger schools where it’s harder to contribute as a freshman. There are some huge movers in the class of 2023 Updated Rankings in the first update since completion of their sophomore season. The stock-risers who made the largest leaps are listed here:
Kenlee Durrill Kenlee Durrill 5'10" | PG Flatirons Academy | 2023 State CO – Flatirons Academy – #17 up to 6
- Durrill did it two ways. She led her team to a state championship as the top Bison in points (16.3 PPG), steals (5.6 SPG), and assists (5.0 APG). And if a 1A title isn’t impressive enough, she was a top player on Premier’s EYBL 16U team canvasing the country with her aggressiveness. I’ll never understand why the state finals aren’t widely televised here, but those of us who streamed-in got to see just how good she is. Durrill started the game with a no-look assist and made the game so basic from there: Defense collapse? Kick. Defense overplay? Score. Her game is understated because she draws and plays off of two feet. She makes the easy play. We should chart hockey-assists because she forces the D to scramble so the one-more pass ends up scoring. After her playing days, maybe she’ll become a state championship coach like her dad just did (Mike Durrill, Head Coach, Flatirons Academy).
Natalie Guanella Natalie Guanella 5'7" | PG Monarch | 2023 State CO – Monarch – #27 up to 13
- There are good athletes in Colorado. The top 100 in a class are very competitive here so jumping up fourteen spots takes something special … like earning a 5A League Co-MVP award as a sophomore. Guanella is a full-steam ahead playmaker whose 3.5 SPG get opponents off balance and whose 16.5 PPG knock them out. With a 35% 3-point rate, she’s a good enough shooter to make you play close and she’s quick enough to then blow right by you. Her improvement has continued throughout the off-season. Guanella definitely has the work-ethic to push for a top ten spot in coming updates.
Mason Rowland Mason Rowland 5'8" | CG Durango | 2023 State CO – Durango – #51 up to 16
- Rowland was ranked too low last year but I’m guessing it was hard for the rankings team to see her play much being down in Durango. I’ve known how good she is since she almost eliminated my team in the 2019 Sweet 16 so it’s no surprise to see her jump. She plays with pace and is one of the best in her class at getting to the rack and to the line. Rowland can bury teams from behind the arc when needed; but she specializes in more of a slow torture by grinding teams into foul trouble. Her 77 free throws made were 10th in the state, all classes. Using every pro hop and two-foot finish there is, she slashed her way to 15.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 2.5 SPG.
Juliana Garcia Juliana Garcia 5'7" | SG The Vanguard School | 2023 State CO – The Vanguard School – #34 up to 23
- Any colleges want speed and sharpshooting ability? What a high flying season for the 5’7″ Garcia (17.2 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.8 SPG). Her quick release and quicker drive are frustrating to guard. Between Garcia, 4th ranked Ramiyah Byrd Ramiyah Byrd 6'1" | SF SPIRE Institute And Academy | 2023 State CO (13.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 3.4 SPG), and the creative and talented point guard, 34th ranked Hailey Blanchard Hailey Blanchard 5'7" | PG The Vanguard School | 2023 State CO (9.3 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.0 SPG), the Coursers have one of the highest ranking classes of ’23 in the state.
Sophie Christopher Sophie Christopher 5'6" | CG Broomfield | 2023 State CO – Broomfield – #62 up to 30
- Christopher’s numbers from last season don’t jump off the page but she’s definitely one to watch and her big jump in the rankings reflect that. She’ll be stepping into a huge role for the Eagles and her high-rev motor puts her in position for a big junior year.
Chloe Lovato Chloe Lovato 5'6" | CG Denver West | 2023 State CO – Denver West – #66 up to 36
- Lovato was active on both ends of the floor with 18.1 PPG and 4.3 SPG for the Cowboys. She hit enough threes (20-81) to be a threat both in and out and scrapped for 6.3 boards a game which is pretty strong for a 5’6″ guard.
Raelyn Kelty Raelyn Kelty 5'10" | SF Lutheran | 2023 State CO – Lutheran – #70 up to 38
- Kelty (12.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG) made a huge jump this year and with her 5’10” size and very aggressive and skilled driving ability, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her wind up in the top twenty in this class. She’s so efficient, shooting 32% behind the arc and scoring 1.3 points per shot while dropping more than four dimes per game (4.1 APG) on one of Colorado’s best teams.
Kyra Haan Kyra Haan 5'7" | CG Mead | 2023 State CO – Mead – #69 up to 56
- Haan jumped from a role player to one of Mead’s best scorers this year (11.3 PPG). She’s a shooter (31% 3-point, 72% FT), ball handler, passer (3.4 APG), defender (3.6 SPG), and almost averaged her height in rebounding (5’7″ tall with 5.2 RPG), helping the team in every way imaginable.
Anila Owens Anila Owens 6'0" | PF Cheyenne Mountain | 2023 State CO – Cheyenne Mountain – #76 up to 61
- It was an active season around the glass for the 5’10” Owens with 14.8 PPG and 12.2 RPG. With her athleticism, she has big time potential to rise further as she develops her outside shot. Owens tallied double-doubles in eleven of the Red-Tailed Hawks’ thirteen games.
Emma Jones Emma Jones 5'11" | SG Lewis-Palmer | 2023 State CO – Lewis-Palmer – #77 up to 63
- Jones found her rhythm as a shooter in 2021, hitting 42 of her 107 three point attempts (39%). She mainly scored from the outside but those are certainly high enough percentages to stretch defenses and make the Rangers a better team. Jones hit three or more triples in eight games.
Avery Hughes Avery Hughes 5'7" | PG Heritage Christian | 2023 State CO – Heritage Christian – #84 up to 64
- It’s hard to rise more than twenty spots but with the numbers Hughes put up, expect her to keep rising. Sure, her competition is lower than other players on this list but 19.3 PPG and an impressive 1.4 points per shot cannot be ignored. She was lights out at 44% behind the arc and even dropped seven or more assists in five games (5.5 APG).
Kayla Rich Kayla Rich 5'8" | CG Broomfield | 2023 State CO – Broomfield – #92 up to 83
- Rich was our last riser on the list. She’s a wildcard after missing most of 2021 due to injury but at 5’9″ she adds speed, length, and athleticism to the Eagles lineup.