Southcentral Wisconsin: Best Uncommitted Frontcourt Players
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These bigs have versatile games that often impact both ends of the court. But more importantly, they impact winning. From switchability, to high-end post-play, to cleaning up the glass, these frontcourt players deserve more recognition. Here are some of the…
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Continue ReadingThese bigs have versatile games that often impact both ends of the court. But more importantly, they impact winning. From switchability, to high-end post-play, to cleaning up the glass, these frontcourt players deserve more recognition. Here are some of the best uncommitted frontcourt hoopers in South Central Wisconsin:
Lauren Sparks Lauren Sparks 5'11" | PF James Madison Memorial | 2022 State WI — Madison Memorial — Class of 2022 — #97 Overall Prospect
Sparks is one of the most versatile bigs in the Big 8 Conference. Her length and athleticism mean she can guard one through five effectively. And offensively, she’s constantly looking to make the next pass. Against Janesville-Craig earlier in the season she physically dominated on the interior, mucking up the paint and cleaning up the glass. But her most valuable ability is her patience. She plays the game at her own pace, reading the floor and making a calculated decisions. She tears apart zones with her interior passing when given space, initiates contact at the rim, and has the best defensive versatility for a frontcourt player in the conference.
Ally Barth Ally Barth 6'0" | SF Edgewood | 2022 State WI — Edgewood — Class of 2022 — #86 Overall Prospect
Barth does some things offensively that truly astound you. In the post, she has a myriad of moves she feels comfortable deploying and the feel to get herself better positioning. Often times she’ll get the ball slightly further away from the block than where she would like to operate, tap the ball back out to the guard, reset, and demand another post entry pass. And when she does get to her spot, she can unleash a deadly one-dribble post-fade, or opt for a quick post-spin and lay, among other moves. What’s particularly exciting about her offensive game isn’t even in the halfcourt. Her ability to quickly turn defense to offense with bullet outlet passes has been a major positive for Edgewood this season. That she reads the floor so quickly and doesn’t waste time getting her team easy looks is one of her most tantalizing aspects as a prospect
Maggie Hartwig Maggie Hartwig 6'1" | PF Sauk Prairie | 2023 State WI — Sauk Prairie — Class of 2023 — #66 Overall Prospect
Hartwig is one of those players that when you enter the gym, she immediately stands out as a cut above your average hooper. The way she moves in the painted area defensively like a free safety is a testament to her defensive instincts and ability to cover a ton of ground without compromising solid defense on her original assignment. Her length and speed make her an asset when Sauk Prairie presses and makes switching defensively a nightmare to scheme against. Offensively, what stands out is her extended range out beyond the three-point line and her guard-like ability to handle and see passing lanes. She’s a two-way prospect that moves within the flow of the offense, demonstrates know-how defensively, and makes everyone around her better on both ends of the court.
Kylie Wittnebel Kylie Wittnebel 6'0" | PF Beaver Dam | 2023 WI — Beaver Dam — Class of 2023 — #67 Overall Prospect
Few players in the Badger Conference are tougher on the interior than Wittnebel. Her movement and positioning make her a true big, but what sets her apart is her IQ. She seems to know exactly when a play is going south and adjust accordingly. She has a great feel for the game offensively, knowing when to set hard screens and pop, slip a screen and roll straight to the block, or adjust her positioning under the hoop to receive easy passes for easy buckets off of a drive. But this high-level movement wouldn’t mean much if she wasn’t a bully down low. Contact doesn’t bother her, and while she isn’t typically the one initiating the contact, she keeps the ball high so that hits to the midsection don’t affect her finishing. One of the smartest bigs in the Badger-East.