Clay Kallam's MaxPreps list of the best HS players by state:
Arizona
Jennah Isai, Jr., Valley Vista (Surprise)
A tough, physical 6-0 combo guard who can not only get her own shots, but makes everyone around her better. She's a big reason Valley Vista starts the season in the MaxPreps Top 25.
California
Juju Watkins, So., Windward (Los Angeles)
You'd think that a state as big as California would have some outstanding seniors — and it does — but the 6-0 sophomore is the complete package, and the Golden State's best heading into 2020-21.
Colorado
Lauren Betts, Jr., Grandview (Aurora)
At 6-7, it's not surprising that Betts is a rim protector, but she can get up and down the court as well. And in an age of 3-point specialists, she's a force on the block.
District of Columbia
Azzi Fudd, Sr., St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Fudd can do it all at both ends of the floor, which is why she's everyone's preseason pick as Player of the Year, and the prize recruit for Geno Auriemma and UConn.
Indiana
Ayanna Patterson, Jr., Homestead (Fort Wayne)
Homestead was 29-2 last year, and the 6-2 Patterson — who adds a mid-range jumper to her heavy lifting around the basket — looks to keep the Spartans in Indiana's upper echelon again this season.
Massachusetts
Caroline Ducharme, Sr., Noble & Greenough (Dedham)
A 6-2 wing who can shoot is special, but Ducharme has an all-around game to go along with the sweet stroke. She'll play for UConn next season.
Maryland
Saylor Poffenbarger, Sr., Middletown
At 6-2, Poffenbarger is a guard, not a post, and she's a shooting guard at that. She's also a solid all-around player who will join a loaded UConn freshman class next year.
Ohio
KK Bransford, Jr., Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati)
At 5-10, Bransford doesn't profile as a power player, but that's exactly who she is. She uses her strength and physicality to get to the rim, and is pretty much unstoppable at the high school level.
South Carolina
Milaysia Fulwiley, So., Keenan (Columbia)
Fulwiley's dazzling numbers as a freshman — 26.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.3 apg, 6.1 spg — are impressive, and she passes the eye test with flying colors as well. She's one of the top recruits in the country in the Class of 2023.
MaxPreps News - Azzi Fudd, Saniya Rivers, Jersey Wolfenbarger and Aaliyah Moore among the top on the hardwood.
www.maxpreps.com
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