Vol. 4 of South Dakota high school girls breakout candidates focuses only on prospects in the highest classification of South Dakota basketball, AA basketball. C3 Scouting has three names, that I was able to see extensively on film, with 4+ games watched per prospect. I believe all three will be in consideration as players that increase their scoring average the most in AA, compared to last season.
Jayna VanLaecken (2029) 5’9” G, Tea Area
Tea Area graduated college commit guards Ellie Clayberg (Dakota Wesleyan University) and Anna Binde (Mount Marty University), which opens up a good chunk of scoring from a season ago. Already broken-out, VanLaecken was a starting guard as a Freshman and AA honorable mention all-state performer that scored 11.2 points per game.
But she takes things to another level this season with a true, massive breakout; asshe has the Freshman to Sophomore natural improvement jump and more offensive responsibility due to graduation, to take her game and production to an elite level, amongst the state’s best. VanLaecken has a balanced overall floor game that can light it up from three, and get to the rim with her 5-foot-9 length and her straightline attack off the dribble. Her game is built on production and results rather than trying to be a flashy player. She’s skilled but keeps the game simple. It would to be of no surprise if she were able to get near 20 points per game and be one of AA’s leading scorers.