Early Season Observations: Most Creative Uncommitted Players
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Creation is something that can jumpstart any offense. Creative players get the best out of their teammates by setting up easy looks. In Wisconsin, plenty of players can create something out of nothing. I want to highlight some of those…
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Continue ReadingCreation is something that can jumpstart any offense. Creative players get the best out of their teammates by setting up easy looks. In Wisconsin, plenty of players can create something out of nothing. I want to highlight some of those players. This list is not a ranking of these players.
Lily Cayley Lily Cayley 5'8" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2023 State WI -5’8 G-’23-Eau Claire Memorial: Cayley is one of the most creative players in the state. The junior is one of the quickest players with the ball in her hand, and you feel her speed just watching her play. The trait that I enjoy watching is the quickness she has in small spaces. For instance, Cayley can split two defenders who could do nothing but throw an arm out at the ball. For the Old Abe to use that skill with the ball, she pairs her creativity with an excellent understanding of the game and spatial awareness. Due to her awareness, Cayley never does anything more than what she needs to do. To close, Cayley has game-breaking speed but never seems sped up by anything.
Ashlyn Knapp-5’9 G-’23-Prairie du Chien: Going into a top-five Division 3 matchup with Waupun at the Beaver Dam Classic, I was not aware of Knapp. After the game, I fully believed I watched the most aggressive passer in the state. Knapp’s first look on the catch was always for a cutter. If you watch Knapp passing on her hudl, you don’t necessarily get the complete scope of her vision. Any Prairie du Chein player can get a layup by being around the basket with off-ball movement. If Knapp sees a window to make a pass, she will try it. After watching a few of her game highlights, my favorite pass of Knapp’s came against Fennimore. Knapp beat a defender closing out her jumper in the left corner. The Blackhawk then drew the back middle defender to cut her off on the baseline. Knapp then managed to pass around the defender next to the baseline to her teammate for an easy layup.
Sadie Jarmolowicz Sadie Jarmolowicz 5'9" | CG Freedom | 2023 State WI -5’10 G-’23-Freedom: I like to consider Jarmolowicz as a master of chaos. When the junior is on the break, she never really gives away what she wants to do. The Irish keeps her head up and surveys the floor at all times. Jarmolowicz does the same thing when on defense. Jarmolowicz’s ability to read the game is what makes her so creative. Her creativity also begins on the defensive end of the floor because of her ability to do three things create steals at the point of attack, block shots, along with the ability grab a defensive rebound to create transition opportunities.
Gracie Gopalan Gracie Gopalan 5'4" | PG Waupun | 2024 State WI -5’3 G-’24-Waupun: The Waupun Warriors two players are likely to play Division 1 basketball in college, with others likey to play at the next level, including Gopalan. Even with all the talent, the one player I’d pick out why the Warriors are so good would probably be the smallest player on the floor. One thing to know about the sophomore is that she’s a menace with the ball in her hands. The Warrior will make difficult passes look simple. Gopalan knows what passes each of her teammates can catch. I seldom see her turn the ball over, even while being the motor to the Warriors offense.