In the latest release of the state scoring leaders, Jodi Howell has used her 46 point game last week to rocket back near the top of the list, coming in at No. 5 with an average of 24.3 points per game. Ahead of her on the list are Pike junior Ashley Barlow (25.8), Arsenal Tech senior Candace Jones (25.8), Fort Wayne Canterbury sophomore Megan King (24.8), and Owen Valley sophomore Samantha Stahl (24.7).

Ta'Shia Phillips ranks 14th in scoring with an average of 21.5. Ta'Shia also leads the state with 15.5 boards per game.

The state scoring leader board only includes players from schools that report statistics to the IHSAA, and only include teams that have played more that five games this season. Purdue recruit Fahkara Malone should appear on next week's list as her team recently completed their fifth game of the season. With her scoring outputs this week of 29 and 30 points, she should debut among the top ten scorers.

Kristen Phillips transfer made messy

There will be a lack of updates in our prep reports on junior Kristen Phillips, as a stress fracture has her on the sidelines until mid-January.

Yet, controversy surrounds the transfer of junior Kristen Phillips to High Point Central High. Phillips transferred to Central over the summer from Northwest Guilford. Her former school is claiming Central's head basketball coach, Kenny Carter, interfered with the Phillips decision and recruited her to Central.

Carter was put on probation by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association based on the allegations. The probation is currently under appeal. The Phillips family considered four schools as a destination for their daughter before deciding on Central. What Carter did wrong, according to the NCHSAA, was violate an unwritten no-contact rule with the parents. Carter maintains he has unfairly been placed on probation for violating a rule that does not exist. Carter and the Phillips family both maintain the Phillips family contacted Carter first, and Kristen was never present for any of the discussions.

Regardless of the turmoil surrounding the basketball coach, Phillips enrolled in Central's International Baccalaureate program and made the A-B honor roll.

Her latest scholarship offer had come from the University of Connecticut.

Ramblings

"She's not the type who necessarily thinks that she needs to make a big play in a certain situation. She doesn't realize if it's the first minute or the last minute. She plays hard all of the time."

Evansville Memorial head coach Bruce Dockery on the intensity and focus of Fahkara Malone.