Week 1 Big 8 Underclass Watchlist
In this article:
Bella Vitaoli (Guard) and Braelynn Bertocchi (Forward) — Class of 2024 — Unranked — Janesville Craig I had to put these two together simply because of the tenacity they bring at the top of a 2-3 zone. I cover Vitaoli’s…
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Continue ReadingBella Vitaoli (Guard) and Braelynn Bertocchi (Forward) — Class of 2024 — Unranked — Janesville Craig
I had to put these two together simply because of the tenacity they bring at the top of a 2-3 zone. I cover Vitaoli’s defensive presence more in-depth here, but it really cannot be overstated how savvy and aggressive she is at the point of attack. She reads offenses extremely well, finds herself at the right place at the right time often, and makes plays. With Craig’s lead guards not in the picture against Stoughton, Vitaoli was extremely opportunistic.
Bertochi has been quite a revelation. Her length translates to great on-ball pressure as well, but not at the expense of clunkiness offensively. She has the ability to play four positions in the JC zone and excels at all of them. And though she’ll need to more clearly define her offensive role on the varsity squad, she’s smooth on both ends with a high motor.
Naveya Jackson — Guard — Class of 2025 — Unranked — Sun Prairie
A freshman makes an appearance! Jackson learning from guards like Antionique Auston Antionique Auston 5'8" | CG Sun Prarie | 2023 State WI , Avree Antony Avree Antony 5'10" | SG Sun Prarie | 2023 State WI , and Rachel Rademacher — while getting playing time — is scary considering her current skill level. She already has a full repertoire of dribble moves in her bag and the confidence to pull trigger whenever she feels open. Her guard skills along with her developing feel for the game will be fun to watch throughout the course of the season.
And though she often finds herself in a great scoring position, she’s not yet physically ready for all that varsity high school hoops entail. In Sun Prairie’s opener, Jackson would pull off a dibble move well beyond her years, only to be bodied away from the basket, or fade away because she isn’t strong enough yet to initiate her own contact. This is something that time will fix, but nonetheless, #23 is one to watch out for.
Maia Ellis — Forward — Class of 2024 — Unranked — Verona
Against Brookfield Central, Ellis was one of the quickest thinkers on the floor. When the offense ran through Ellis, Verona often found their shot selection going from good to great. Whether that be finding corner shooters, rolling to the basket and drawing the defense to her, or just hitting guards with momentum going to the cup.
Ellis also demonstrated a tidy post-game in Game 1. In limited opportunities, Ellis demonstrated solid footwork and a reliable drop-step move. Behind center Paige Lambe Paige Lambe 6'2" | PF Verona | 2023 State WI , Ellis is proving that she’s the second-best big on this team while playing a style of basketball that compliments Verona’s best players.