Top five impact players in Utah high school girls basketball

Building a championship team starts with having players who can consistently dominate opponents in at least one phase of the game. Only a few weeks into the 2015 season for Utah girls basketball, a handful of teams are rising up thanks to the efforts of such players.

These five impact players are not just piling up empty stats. They are also turning their respective teams into state title contenders no team wants to face.


Liz Eaton, Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork)
Eaton hasn't met a scoreboard she can't light up. The 5-foot-9 guard is averaging a state-leading 27.3 points per game and has scored at least 20 points in each of Maple Mountain's first four games. What makes Eaton so dangerous beyond a typical scoring threat is that her dominance is not limited to offense. The BYU commit is also a tenacious defender. She ranks second in the state in rebounding (13.5 per game) and third in steals (5.8 per game).

Kennedy Redding, Bountiful
If Redding eventually decides to play both volleyball and basketball in college, BYU will definitely make it work. The Cougar commit is simply a force around the basket that can't be contained. Redding leads the state in rebounding (14.5 per game) and blocks (4.0 per game). She is also a polished scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game early in the season. The 6-foot-4 center has what it takes to propel Bountiful to a Class 4A title.

Hailey Bassett, Layton
Bassett is a complete player. She always finds ways to give opponents fits on both ends of the court. On offense, the 6-foot-2 forward is averaging 19.3 points per game. She is a versatile player who can score inside and also has the ability to step back and pop a jumper. On defense, the Utah State signee makes it tough to get a second shot — or even a clean look at the basket. She is averaging 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks so far this season.

Dani Barton, Brighton (Salt Lake City)
Barton is a two-sport star who commands defensive attention once she sets foot on the court. The 6-foot-1 junior is the top scorer in Class 5A, averaging 23.4 points per game. Barton is a tough customer. She overcame an ankle injury during the playoffs last season to help Brighton claim the Class 5A title. Like Redding, she chose volleyball over basketball as her college sport. Barton committed to Utah — where her older brothers Jackson and Cody already play football.

Whittni Orton, Panguitch
Luck has little to do with Panguitch currently enjoying a 58-game winning streak. Orton's guard play is a big reason why the Bobcats can't be stopped. The 5-foot-8 senior leads the state in assists with 8.5 per game. Her leadership and experience has helped Panguitch average 66.5 points per game in its first four games. Orton has limitless energy on offense and defense, which comes from her prowess as a distance runner. She won four Class 1A cross country state titles in four years and is also the defending state champion in the 800 meters, 1600 meters and 3200 meters in track and field.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter @johncoonsports.