Badger Midseason Report: Top Uncommitted Frontcourt Players

Checking in on both divisions of the Badger Conference midway through the season and these three upper-class forwards are still on the open market for colleges to recruit. Some highly touted, some under-the-radar, but nonetheless, these frontcourt players deserve recognition for their contributions and skills that should translate to the next level. Here we go: [player_tooltip player_id="264944" first="Maggie" last="Hartwig"] | Sauk Prairie | Athletic Big | Class of 2023 Hartwig’s length and athleticism provide incredible versatility defensively. She spearheads the Sauk Prairie full-court press and causes mayhem against any guard not ready for the challenge of maneuvering against a six-footer with plus length. And though she plays the center role offensively, on the other end of the court Hartwig guards two through four, with her lateral quickness, recovery speed, and length becoming legitimate factors that opposing players have to consider when trying to attack her. That same length is an offensive weapon as well, allowing her to grab offensive rebounds over the top of defenders who don’t properly box her out. And when considering her catching ability in traffic and strength on the interior, Hartwig has shown the potential to be a dominant interior presence for Sauk Prairie going down the road. She has some of the highest upside of any payer in the Badger Conference. [player_tooltip player_id="132388" first="Trenna" last="Cherney"] | Reedsburg | Versatile Forward | Class of 2022 Cherney’s a do-it-all forward who’s played in all three frontcourt slots for D2’s #1 team, though she’s at her best playing as a power forward. A willing passer and screener, Cherney’s ability to handle the rock in tight spaces opens up her shot profiles and adds another wrinkle to the highly dangerous Beavers. Along with Sidney Cherney and [player_tooltip player_id="132374" first="Mahra" last="Wieman"], Cherney completes a formidable big 3 that’s comfortable playing in a myriad of styles, with the elder Cherney as the linchpin that holds it together. Her processing speed and IQ create a lot of open looks for Reedsburg’s shooters. She anticipates double-teams off of post-ups or dribble-drives, locates from where the help is coming, and slings on-time-on-target passes with lethal intentions. Cherney’s versatility as a combo-forward allows her teams to diversify their playstyles and is among the reason the Beavers look like favorites for a state title in D2. [player_tooltip player_id="264946" first="Kylie" last="Wittnebel"] | Beaver Dam | Traditional Power Forward/Center | Class of 2023 Wittnebel’s physicality and touch embolden her talent for finding space on the inside. Amid the chaos of drivers, defenders, and sharing a lane with another impressive post-prospect in [player_tooltip player_id="209588" first="Gabby" last="Wilke"], Wittnebel carves herself room and demonstrates impressive strength and body control to finish at the rim. She also has a bevy of reliable post moves primarily involving drop-steps and rolling over her left shoulder to create space for hook shots. Wittnebel is also lethal as a pick-n-roll finisher, where she works synergistically with Beaver Dam’s guards and, on rare occasions, with the aforementioned Wilke. Wittnebel’s footwork and fluidity rolling complement the forwards’ chemistry, with Wilke’s ability to space with her jumper providing Wittnebel ample space to gather herself before initiating contact at the rim.