Quiet Climbers in the 2027 rankings update

If you're thinking about subscribing, now is the time to lock in. With rankings dropping and full coverage of the second half of the season coming up, a monthly or yearly plan makes the most sense. Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access for the full season so you don't miss any of our scouting.    While you lock that in, we're shifting our focus to one of the strongest classes in the state — a group that's primed for major movement over the next few years. Hot starts have launched new names into the spotlight, while others are still building toward their breakthrough. This class is far from settled, and the board is already shifting. Here are some of the under-the-radar risers who we have our eyes on in the 2027 rankings update.    Erie is one of the more entertaining teams up North, as they have a balanced attack and a solid group that is starting to get it together. One of those standouts is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2395587' first='Tyler' last='Firebaugh']. Firebaugh has been steady but is coming off his two best offensive games of the season. He's averaging 9.1 points a game, and it's topped off with a 21-point performance in the team's best win of the year over Green Mountain, which was a preseason Top-3 team. He then followed that up with 14 points in a close one over Rocky Mountain. Progress is the name of the game for him, and he's clearly worked on his game. The team will go as he allows them, and with his work as a rebounder and playmaker, he can affect the game in those ways as well. He jumps into the rankings with his play and looks to improve.     Conifer is a team full of balanced attack and steadiness, and it will take everyone being on the same page if they plan to make a big run. A player who has looked to be their most consistent prospect on the season is Arndt. Arndt is a two-way force who impacts the game with his physicality. He outworks guys, battles for boards, and makes whoever he's in front of work. He also has that defense turn into offense. He's a player who does not appear to be shy when trying to make plays happen and is always looking to make the right play. He jumps onto the rankings for the first time.     [player_tooltip player_id='2885974' first='Damien' last='Rios'] will be a name to know as we begin league play soon, and he looks to be playing his best ball as we get closer to the heart of the season. He's finished both inside and out and showed that his game has expanded. He's a versatile prospect who does not shy away from contact; he does the dirty work, and his effort continues to keep Ponderosa in games. He's putting up 9.9 points and 3.3 rebounds a game, and I'm willing to bet that those rise here shortly as he appears in a groove. His aggressiveness will be the difference for the Mustangs, and he's a prospect we have eyes on moving forward.     If we're going off upside, there are not many prospects in the state with the ceiling that Medina has. He shows flashes of dominance at times and it looks like he's starting to get more in a rhythm and being rewarded for his play. He's a 6'9 big man who runs the floor well, finishes in traffic, and finishes above the basket. He has excellent size and runs the floor extremely well. He is also an athletic rebounder who grabs boards in bunches as well. He's a player who has the look and is now starting to produce as well. He's an X-factor for Rock Canyon and could be the difference in a state championship if he's locked in.     Palisade has been an immovable force to begin the season. They're sitting on 11-0 on the year and have had so many contributions to help get them to that point. One of those standouts has been Jax, who has appeared to have leaped. This year, he's averaging 9.2 points a game. When they've needed him to up it, he does, and when the game calls for him to contribute in other ways, he's capable of that as well. Jax is filling up the box sheet and is a reason that they're looking like the favorites right now. He jumps onto the rankings with his play.     Kalenzi is truly an under-the-radar talent who is a surprise to opposing teams each night. He's a volume shooter who you have to run off the 3-point line; he gets out in transition and also takes what the defense gives him. He's putting up 7.2 points a game on a team that needs the offensive help, and he also is the catalyst for the offense at times with his court vision. He battles and is a player who should turn a bit more heads with his play. He makes the rankings for the first time.

If you're thinking about subscribing, now is the time to lock in. With rankings dropping and full coverage of the second half of the season coming up, a monthly or yearly plan makes the most sense. Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access for the full season so you don't miss any of our scouting.