Future Stars? Last Week JV Standouts

This is a monumental post for me. This is number 1,000 in my Prep Dig career. I feel we need to interrupt the article, and readers need to hold up 1,000 article signs, and I take a picture and smile! In all seriousness, it's been fun to write about the tremendous players across Missouri and Kansas over the years. And article 1,000 will be a first. The first time I highlighted players doing work at the JV level. As a reminder, I also officiate. I worked a JV tournament last week and often serve as the R2 during JV matches during the week. So, here are some players who caught my eye.    Sparks was all over the court, running the 5-1 for the Broncos throughout the day. At just 5-foot-2, I was highly impressed with the number of touches she was able to get in the front row on block attempts. She ran the offense efficiently, made good decisions with the ball, and did a nice job defensively from right back. Her ability to contribute in multiple areas stood out.     Lowery was the calm, cool presence on the floor for St. Teresa's, helping lead the team to a first-round finish in pool play. She was able to score from both pins and showed a good understanding of when to attack aggressively and when to work the court. Defensively, she did a good job holding things down in the back row and providing a steady presence for her team.     Cunningham caught my eye with her athleticism in the front row from the middle position. She gets off the floor well and showed flashes of being a reliable scoring option at the net. Defensively, I liked how well she moved pin to pin to close in on the block. With her athletic ability and continued development, she has the tools to become a real difference-maker at the net.     Fowler was silky smooth from the right side. She attacks the ball well and does a good job seeing the court, making smart decisions with her shot placement. She hits a solid ball and showed the ability to put pressure on opposing defenses without having to simply swing away every time. She is definitely a player I'll be keeping an eye on moving forward.     Kilkenny impressed me in her three rotations on the floor. I believe she may be a converted middle, but she handled herself well in serve receive and showed she can contribute in multiple areas. She is a reliable attacker who can find the floor both in and out of system, and I liked her ability to stay aggressive even when the play wasn't perfect. There is plenty to like about her versatility.     Easley caught my eye with her ability to run the show while also taking swings from the right side. She played with poise and always seemed locked in and in control of what was happening on the floor. She made good decisions offensively and brought a steady presence throughout the day. Her play was a major reason Platte County walked away from Staley as tournament champions.    Libero - #3 - Liberty North   The nameless libero was one of the best defenders in the gym, and I did my best to track down her name with no luck. She was constantly around the ball, covering a ton of ground and making plays that kept rallies alive. Somebody, please send me her name!

This is a monumental post for me. This is number 1,000 in my Prep Dig career. I feel we need to interrupt the article, and readers need to hold up 1,000 article signs, and I take a picture and smile! In all seriousness, it's been fun to write about the tremendous players across Missouri and Kansas over the years. And article 1,000 will be a first. The first time I highlighted players doing work at the JV level. As a reminder, I also officiate. I worked a JV tournament last week and often serve as the R2 during JV matches during the week. So, here are some players who caught my eye.