Video: Top 10 Basketball Plays of the Week
A visit around the country at the best basketball plays of the week.
Several of Utah's top girl's basketball players from last season are back to make some serious waves in the 2016-17 season. These players have a knack for changing the game on both ends of the court and are guaranteed to make their teams tough to contend with from now through the playoffs.
Here's a look at the cream of the crop and what to expect from these players this season:
Mariah Martin, Alta (Sandy)Few players can equal Martin's all-around talents. The senior guard is averaging 15.6 points and 4.4 assists. Martin is currently the Class 4A leader in assists. Defensively, she is averaging 5.0 rebounds and 3.2 steals. Her contributions on both ends of the court are a big reason why Alta (5-0) is off to a strong start and looking like a true state title contender this season. Making such a major impact is nothing new for Martin. A four-year starter, she has led the Hawks in scoring every season.
Mariah Martin of Alta is one the five Utah girls basketball players to watch this season.
Photo by Dave Argyle
The Bobcats could be one of the toughest teams to deal with in the Class 5A tournament this season because of Krebs. She has quietly stepped up her game early in her senior season, averaging 18.4 points and 11.0 rebounds after averaging 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. With fellow senior Kaylee Carlsen already making her mark as a proven and dangerous scorer, slowing down the Bobcats (2-3) offensively is guaranteed to be a nightmare for opponents all season. Krebs is a force around the basket and tenacious on both offense and defense.
Vanessa Austin, Judge Memorial (Salt Lake City)Austin is one of the state's best defensive players and has the Bulldogs dreaming big things this season. The senior is averaging 11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds for Judge Memorial (3-1) and currently leads Class 4A in rebounds. Austin has been the top scorer and rebounder for the Bulldogs each of the last two seasons. She is committed to play basketball for Cal-State Bakersfield starting in 2017-18. Her ability to lock down opponents will pay huge dividends for Judge Memorial this year.
Ashley Beckstrand, Desert Hills (St. George, Utah)If Desert Hills (5-2) can claim its first Class 3A title in three seasons this year, Beckstrand's scoring abilities will be the force driving it. She currently leads all Class 3A players in scoring at 21.1 points per game. Beckstrand enjoyed a breakout season two years ago, averaging 21.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Last season, she averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals. Only a handful of players in Utah can match her ability to take over a game on offense.
Tahlia White, Mountain View (Orem)Traditional power Mountain View (5-0) is on the rise again behind White's reliable play on both ends of the court. White led the Bruins in scoring, rebounding and steals as a sophomore a year ago, averaging 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per contest. She is averaging 17.0 points per game this season. White continues to showcase the same sort of tenacious defense that made her so hard to game plan against last season.
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports
