PGH Wisconsin Top 250 Expo: Stock Risers

In one of the last pieces I’ll have about the Top 250 event in Appleton I look at players who raised their stock, due to their performance. These players are the ones who had the most to gain due to playing extremely well. For example, if a player was already pretty solidly getting looked at from schools it was very difficult for them to make this list. I am the sole creator of this list I did not ask coaches what they thought about some of these players. I picked one player from each class that was big stock risers in my opinion. I encourage coaches to reach out and ask if they have questions about anyone who participated, as I just recently finished watching every game. This list is in no particular order. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="329584" first="Anna" last="Nielsen"]-5’10 G-’22-Verona: </strong>Nielsen possibly helped herself more than anyone simply by playing. Coming off two serious injuries her final season has to be her best one. She started off her senior year with this event, and in my personal opinion was one of the more impressive players there. She consistently makes the right play, is versatile in her offensive skillset, and plays for a good high school program. Assuming health, there is a good chance that Verona can play deep into the postseason. If that ends up being the case she is going to have a lot of time to show colleges who she is as a player. Regardless of results this season for her the thing you say for sure about her is that she loves playing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up playing at the next level somewhere. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="209598" first="Brynn" last="Kirch"] -5’6 G-’24-McFarland: </strong>Kirch really surprised me in Appleton with how well-rounded of a game she has. She is just a solid player in every facet. She was one of the really hard cuts I made when it came to the top ball-handlers at the event as well, which was probably the part of her game I really didn’t expect. She has an in-and-out dribble move that sent a defender she had on her at the top of the key just basically move out her way. She makes the simple plays and takes what defenses give her. With a couple of key pieces ahead of her at McFarland gone, due to graduating last spring, there is playing time available. I hope she gets a chance to play big minutes this season, so I can see what her numbers look like at the end of the season and so she has tape so coaches can see where she’s at. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="264943" first="Tieryn" last="Plasch"]-5’6 G-’23-Northwestern: </strong>The thing about these events for Plasch that I think makes them a bit more important for her is that she is going up against players who are a lot like her. In my opinion, she is the class of the Heart O’North conference, so there aren’t as many opportunities for her to show how good she really is. For instance, looking at the game that Northwestern lost to Aquinas Plasch was probably just as good as anybody in that game numbers-wise. At the most conservative estimate, her 11 points and 5 assists accounted for 21 of the Tigers’ 38 points. I firmly believe that she is one of the best players in the state regardless of class. She makes shots at a fine percentage from three, the free-throw line, and the field overall. She has a great handle and has great timing on her passes. These events are great for her because she gets to show what she is to a bigger crowd who may not have seen her play before. Her performance in Appleton was a lot like the numbers she’s been putting up at Northwestern great, and consistent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="329577" first="Peyton" last="Musial"]-5’11 G/F-’25-Notre Dame Academy: </strong>Musial was a player I didn’t get to see when I was in Appleton, but she popped when I watched her games after the fact. At the moment for Musial, she has a great feel and instinct offensively which she pairs with her ability to score. On offense, she is more of a weak side wing who spots up and attacks closeouts, or takes open shots. She has a knack for getting weak side rebounds as well that helps her get easy points. She has a ways to go defensively, she has to get stronger as most incoming freshmen do. Even with the areas that she needs to improve on she is a handy player to have on a roster. This is a case of the rich getting richer as Musial joins an already loaded roster that just won the Division 2 state title.