Bar set high for Muhlenberg freshman Ryanna Hightower-Prentice

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

Most freshmen, if they’re talented enough, get eased into the varsity experience. That wasn’t the case with Ryanna Hightower-Prentice. Muhlenberg couldn’t wait to put her on the court.

The 6-0 ninth grader was named the starting point guard before her first game. She has the ball in her hands all the time, including the moments that matter most.

“When we took over, she was in fifth or sixth grade,” coach Wes Estock said. “We knew she was coming up and she was going to be right into the fire. We saw her development. We knew we were going to utilize her skills.”

Muhlenberg has nothing to lose. The Muhls went 5-15 last season and haven’t posted a winning record in girls basketball since 2016-17. The recent past has been a struggle, so why not look toward the future?

Hightower-Prentice certainly appeared ready during the opening weekend. Her debut was a sometimes dazzling display of all-around skill. She finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds to help defeat Oley Valley 29-26 Friday night.

Hightower-Prentice’s first basketball memories aren’t really memories at all. They’re either stories she has been told by her dad, former Reading High player Ryan Hightower, or videos she has watched.

It was a toy basketball and a toy hoop in the beginning. She was 2. She’d just learned to walk.

“My dad introduced it to me and we just kept working and working,” Hightower-Prentice said. “I thank him all the time.”

Hightower-Prentice has always towered over the competition as you might expect from a girl who reached 6 feet at age 15.

Sophia Fernandez, another freshman building block for Muhlenberg, remembers the first time she crossed paths with her teammate. It was back in sixth grade.

“Who is this tree?” Fernandez said. “Where did she come from? What is she drinking and eating? She was huge. She was a good dribbler and a good shooter. She has just progressed. Now she believes in herself more.”

Hightower-Prentice has often played center or power forward. Being a full-time point guard is an adjustment. She said she’s still trying to improve her handle. Estock wants the ball in her hands as much as possible and this is the best way to achieve that goal.

In the first quarter of her first high school game, Hightower-Prentice brought the ball across halfcourt, passed to the wing, ran to the opposite side, across the baseline and drilled a 3-pointer in the corner. Not many 6-footers have that skill set.

“She has great court vision,” Estock said. “Even when they try to trap her she can see right over the top of it. When we run our man-to-man offense, if there’s a big on her, she can take her 1-on-1. If there’s a guard on her she can post her up inside. She’s very flexible. Very valuable.”

Hightower-Prentice scored 13 points in her second game as well. The Muhls lost to Wyomissing 52-37 Saturday and are 1-1 after their tip-off tournament.

Although it was an impressive opening act, it was also an indication of what’s to come. Defenses are going to key on Hightower-Prentice. It won’t take long for the scouting report to make the rounds.

“It’s a lot different now,” she said. “More people are learning about me and they’re finding out how I play. They end up pushing my buttons a little bit.”

This is the Year of the Freshman in the Berks League.

Wyomissing’s Amaya Stewart delivered eight points, 12 rebounds and six blocks in her debut and followed that up with 19 points in Game 2. The Spartans also have Alexis Hardy and Audrey Hurleman as building blocks. Brandywine Heights’ Addison Benner was MVP of the Hamburg Tournament. 

Estock said Hightower-Prentice was the kind of player who elevates the rest of her team. She does that with more than her play.

“She’s a fun person to be around,” Fernandez said. “She’s always energetic. She’ll help you out. You’ll be having a rough game and she can talk to you and you’ll feel better.”

Muhlenberg hopes this is the start of a turnaround. The Muhls have the kind of player who can eventually make them a contender again. A foundation for the next four seasons.

“There is no ceiling on her,” Estock said. “There just isn’t.”