Big Eight Conference: Preview

Big Eight Conference: Preview <img class="size-medium wp-image-181857 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/06/PGHFeaturedImage4-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /> Last season the conference was led by Middleton with a 17-1 conference. First Team selection and graduate forward [player_tooltip player_id="132420" first="Sitori" last="Tanin"] led the team in scoring. This season however, [player_tooltip player_id="132378" first="McKenna" last="Monogue"], a standout junior wing will be looked for to play some key minutes for this squad. She’s an extremely gifted athlete who can score and defend. She earned Second Team last season. Madison Memorial finished second in conference play and had some very impressive games down the stretch. The team consistently played a deep bench last season and will more than likely do the same this season as well. While the team lost Player of the Year and Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id="132406" first="LeiLani" last="Kapinus"]- they have some returning talent and incoming athletes who are sure to make a splash this season. [player_tooltip player_id="132358" first="Mia" last="Morel"] earned First Team last season and will lead the offense and distribute again this season. She is coming off an ACL injury. [player_tooltip player_id="202325" first="Charlotte" last="Sweet"] will be a returning standout as well. A sniper from behind the arc, Sweet has an impressive stroke and can knock it down in the big moments. [caption id="attachment_220228" align="alignright" width="186"]<img class="wp-image-220228" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Avree-Antony-3.jpg" alt="" width="186" height="124" /> [player_tooltip player_id="157531" first="Avree" last="Antony"][/caption] Sun Prairie finished third in conference play with a 13-5 record. The team was led by Jazzanay Seymore, the 5’11 forward is a beast on the glass and has traditional post moves that are difficult to stop. Antiounique Auston finished second in scoring for her team with 8 points per game. She has exceptional upside to her game and will be a spark plug for this team- she can easily take over offensively any given moment. An impact facilitator as well- Auston averaged nearly 4 assists per game. The team also returns senior Ashley Rae, [player_tooltip player_id="206584" first="Marie" last="Outlay"] and [player_tooltip player_id="157531" first="Avree" last="Antony"]. All three are extremely versatile offensively and will see big minutes for this squad. [caption id="attachment_210091" align="alignright" width="182"]<img class="wp-image-210091" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/KATE-HUML-33-scaled-e1602106204756-300x221.jpg" alt="" width="182" height="134" /> [player_tooltip player_id="204121" first="Kate" last="Huml"][/caption] Janesville Craig finished with a 12-6 record. The team was led by First Team select Claudia Fieiras and Second Team [player_tooltip player_id="204121" first="Kate" last="Huml"]. Both girls are incredibly gifted two way players that will work well together on the court. Verona finished with a 9-9 record and will push for a big improvement this season as they continue to add experience and growth to their squad. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id="156057" first="Megan" last="Murphy"], Second Team select as a freshman, to have an exceptional season. She will work alongside dynamic post player [player_tooltip player_id="206577" first="Paige" last="Lambe"]. Take a look at a few players posed to make an impact as a returner this season: [player_tooltip player_id="155763" first="Claudia" last="Fierias"] | Janesville Craig | Senior | 5’9 F Craig standout led her team in scoring last season and was truly a standout in the lane. She averaged 18 points per game. She stands out for her versatility on the floor and ability to score at multiple spots. She is comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter as well as being a dominant force finishing strong in the lane. Last season she made 31 three point baskets. She can rebound the ball effectively for her squad as well, she averaged 6 boards per game last season. [player_tooltip player_id="132358" first="Mia" last="Morel"] | Madison Memorial | Senior | 5’7 PG The California Baptist commit has big shoes to fill this season coming off an injury and filling the void of losing the Player of the Year. She’s an incredible facilitator and really understands the flow of the game. She averaged 3.5 assists per game last season. She’s composed and poised on the floor- Morel impresses me with the way she can control the tempo on both ends of the floor. Before her injury last season she averaged nearly 16 points per game. She can score the perimeter shot as well for this team and will be the go-to player for the big moments. [player_tooltip player_id="156058" first="Antionique" last="Auston"] | Sun Prairie | Sophomore | 5’8 PG <img class="size-medium wp-image-220225 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Antionique-Auston-10.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Auston is a gifted athlete with such a high ceiling. She plays with tremendous confidence for her age, and she is not fazed by high pressure defense. She plays well with and without the ball. She can really run the offense effectively for this squad. She’s an impressive passer that can easily make the outlet/transition pass on the move; she gets into the lane and creates for others well. Last season she averaged 8 points per game and dished out nearly 4 assists per game. Auston continues to show versatility and ability to push the ball and finish in so many ways. [player_tooltip player_id="132378" first="McKenna" last="Monogue"] | Middleton | Junior | 6’1 F Monogue is going to be such an asset for this Middleton squad this season. She showed how dynamic she is on the floor and she has an exceptional ability to stretch the floor. She is light on her feet and does well in the pick and pop. She averaged 7 points per game in her sophomore season. In a win over Madison East, Monogue scored a season-high 22 points for her team. She can work in the post with fundamentals but is certainly comfortable handling the ball on the pertimer. She gathers well and can knock down the three point basket. Last season she made 37 three pointers. [player_tooltip player_id="206577" first="Paige" last="Lambe"] | Verona | Sophomore | 6’1 F <img class="size-medium wp-image-220252 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Paige-Lambe-6.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Lambe should have a big year for this Verona squad. She showed glimpses of how elite she can be on both ends of the floor. A tremendous two way player who continues to improve each time she’s on the floor. Lambe averaged nearly 8 points per game during her freshman season. In a win against Janesville Parker, Lambe scored a career high 27 points for her team. She impresses me by her ability to effectively get to the rim. She can really convert, especially on her pull up. She does well recovering in transition play as well.