2026 Rankings Update: Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1575699"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6769f80c86215"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Covington Catholic is off to a hot start with a 5-2 record and losses to two top ten teams in Ballard and Great Crossing. McGillis is off to a really strong Junior campaign, averaging 22 points on splits of 46/38/37. Long term, Athens will put up even bigger numbers if he gets to the free throw line more often than he is right now. In the short term, McGillis may be off to the best start of any player in the 9th region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1737528"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6769f80c862b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Putting up averages of 20 and 8, Shouse is off to a good start to the season for Meade County and the Green Wave have started the season 5-1 heading into Christmas break. Hayden is doing a great job of getting to the foul line and converting when he gets there. The only shortcoming for Shouse so far is his three point shooting as he's only 1-8 from three in 5 games played. As that number comes up, Hayden should be one of the harder players to guard in the 3rd region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1359136"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6769f80c86336"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back from injury, Carson is starting to get back to his old ways and that means trouble for the rest of the 12th region. Putting up 15 points per game is enough to lead the Maroons but more importantly, Fraley is a downhill driver who creates open looks for teammates. Assuming he stays healthy, Carson should be a top 5 or so player in the region this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543630"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6769f80c863b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bischoff is the leading scorer for a rebuilding DeSales roster right now at 15 points per game but he's being a leader on the court for a Colts roster that needs one. Shooting 37% from three while being hunted by the opposing defense is impressive and Cameron should be a priority recruit for high academic colleges when AAU rolls around in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->