Early Season Observation: Breakout Players
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The nature of high school sports creates a revolving door of talent girls basketball in Wisconsin is no different. Over the first half of the season, players have made names for themselves through their play. With hundreds of teams in…
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Continue ReadingThe nature of high school sports creates a revolving door of talent girls basketball in Wisconsin is no different. Over the first half of the season, players have made names for themselves through their play. With hundreds of teams in Wisconsin, I can’t name everyone, but I’ve noticed four players I’d like to mention. None of this is a ranking of these players.
Brynn Kirch Brynn Kirch 5'6" | PG McFarland | 2024 State WI -5’7 G-’24-McFarland: Kirch has excelled in the role she’s been entrusted with at McFarland. Kirch has gone from 16.4 minutes to 31.6 minutes. I’ve been impressed with Kirch’s ability to create. When I see Kirch play, she can beat her initial defender and get into the middle of man or zone defenses. Kirch is also a guard who rebounds well, pulling down over six rebounds a game. The bottom line with Kirch is that she is a winning player. What I mean by that is, she’s someone who will make her teammates’ lives easier. Kirch can find open teammates, defend the point of attack well, space the floor, and create five on four situations.
Bella Samz Bella Samz 5'9" | PG Arrowhead | 2023 State WI -5’8 G-’23-Arrowhead: The instant I saw the tape of Samz as a sophomore, I knew she was going to be a good player when given more responsibility. This season she has taken that opportunity and ran with it. The junior Warhawk has increased her scoring from nine points per game last season to 16 points per game this season. The trait Samz has that showed me she had a chance to break out this season was her composure. When she takes a shot, you can see the hundreds of jumpers in empty gyms to perfect her motion. To add, all the jumpers she takes in the first minute of the game look like the jumpers she takes in the last minute. There is no outside noise that can break the rhythm Samz has. Her best ability is the creative aspect of her game, and she doesn’t turn the ball over that much because she is so strong in possession.
Braelyn Torres Braelyn Torres 5'7" | CG Kettle Moraine | 2023 State WI -5’9 G-’23-Kettle Moraine: Torres is one of the best perimeter defenders in the state coming into the year. The issue that Torres had as a sophomore was her shooting efficiency. Thus far, Torres has answered all of those questions. She hasn’t improved offensively due to her getting more shots. Torres has just been making more shots. Torres has even doubled her steals output this year to four per game.
Alana Zarneke Alana Zarneke 6'0" | SF Kaukauna | 2023 State WI -6’0 G/F-’23-Kaukauna: Before I get into why what Zarneke has done has been so impressive, I want to say she has done what she’s done in the best conference in Wisconsin. Last season Zarneke’s basic stats were six points, three rebounds, and one and a half assists per game. This season she’s averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists per game. That jump is beyond impressive, and she’s done it efficiently as well. Zarneke has a 50% field goal percentage and a 38% 3-point percentage on seven attempts per game. Zarneke is a versatile player who has been a key player for Kaukaun this season.