Class of 2025: Top 10 Breakdown

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Today PGH Wisconsin is releasing our initial Class of 2025 rankings. Today, I’m putting out a breakdown of that Top-10 freshmen list.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">1. [player_tooltip player_id="374227" first="Rainey" last="Welson"]-5’9 G-Hortonville</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Welson has begun her career at Hortonville well. The freshman has led the Division 1 No. 1 Polar Bears in scoring, even with multiple other Division 1 level prospects. Welson’s offensive game is balanced, and she’s shown an ability to attack recovering defenses. The main threat that Welson poses is her 3-point shooting. Due to that, it’s hard to help off of her. The Polar Bears have threats everywhere, so you have to commit bodies to protect the paint. Because of teams protecting the paint, Welson can read and attack defenses in any way she sees fit. Over her next three years, I’d like to see her grow more as a facilitator because that is maybe the one aspect of her offensive game that she hasn’t shown at this point.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2. [player_tooltip player_id="338940" first="Kristina" last="Ouimette"]-6’1 F-Lakeland</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Ouimette is different compared to every other player on this list. No player I’ve seen draws the attention that Ouimette has from defenses. An example of this was Lakeland’s game against Aquinas, where the Blugolds eventually went to a triangle and two, with the two guarding Kristina and her sister Julianna. Teams need to take extreme measures to defend Ouimette. Because of that, I’m not concerned about her shooting numbers. I believe she is handling the attention defenses give her as well as anyone possibly could.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">3. [player_tooltip player_id="374228" first="JJ" last="Barnes"]-5’8 G-The Prairie School</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Barnes has shown a clear dominance in getting into the paint and scoring at will. The freshman has averaged over 22 points per game and has taken almost 100 free throws in 13 games. Those numbers are insane. Barnes may be the most efficient scorer due to how often she gets herself easy points in the paint. The special part of Barnes is that she can get to the rim whenever she wants. That creates opportunities for everyone else on the floor. That level of player draws attention from every single defender on the floor. Barnes is not shy when it comes to passing the ball, as she averages over four assists per game. Her toughness also shows in her over eight rebounds per game. Barnes is a special talent.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">4. [player_tooltip player_id="338942" first="Madison" last="Fitzgibbon"]-5’6 G-Homestead</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">When I saw the Homestead freshman in person, it was likely one of her worst showings of the season against Kettle Moraine Lutheran, but she showed a natural ability to score the ball. Although she has some ups and downs when it comes to scoring, you can see Fitzbiggon has a plan when she gets the ball. Fitzgibbon has been key to the Highlanders program going to another level. I’ve been extremely impressed by her ability to take on a high-usage role and excel within it. I expect her to continue to improve over the next three and a half seasons. Fitzgibbon’s improvement could lead to the Highlanders seeing high-level success.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">5. [player_tooltip player_id="374229" first="Amy" last="Terrian"]-5’8 G-Pewaukee</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Terrien has been one of the best shooters in the state. The Pirate has also led her team in scoring as a freshman, which means something. The only thing holding her back on these rankings, in my opinion, is her ability to create. I’m not saying she can’t be a creative presence. I just haven’t seen enough of it to justify her being higher. However, what she has done has been incredible for anyone, not just a freshman. Terrien has been crucial in big wins against De Pere and Germantown. Because of the elite-level shooting Terrien possesses, she is always a threat when she’s on the floor. Over the next few seasons, Terrien is a player that may climb these rankings.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">6. [player_tooltip player_id="374230" first="Addy" last="Verhagen"]-5’4 G-Sheboygan Lutheran</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’m a massive believer in Verhagen’s ability to create. Verhagen has immediately shown that she is one of the best playmakers in the state. As of writing this, the freshman is No. 6 in the state in assists and recorded a triple-double in the fourth game of her high school career. There isn’t much more Verhagen could have done to show how talented she is. Some may raise concerns over her size, but to that, I say this. There are very few players at her age who can dictate an offense as Verhagen can. The freshman has a clear understanding of how her movement affects defenses. When Verhagen graduates, she could be the best guard in the state.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">7. [player_tooltip player_id="374231" first="Clare" last="Shea"]-5’10-Menomonee Falls</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I think Shea has potential as a high-level wing at this level and beyond, and her numbers would suggest she is that right now. The only thing she’s missing is a statement game against high-level opposition. I know that Shea is a talented offensive prospect and has shown flashes against some teams. Shea can shoot at a high level when she gets space, but I would like to see her do what I believe she’s capable of against elite teams. Shea’s numbers so far have been great, and she has rebounded well for a Menomonee Falls team who has needed her production this season.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">8. [player_tooltip player_id="338945" first="Makena" last="Christian"]-5’11 F-Hartford</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Christian has begun her high school career averaging a double-double, with 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. The scoring instincts are there with Christian, and they are incredible. I think she has done an admirable job of excelling with her opportunity. Christian is a good shooter and plays at her own pace. I have yet to see her sped up beyond her comfort zone. With her pace, she can play her own game and pick apart defenses in her way. This season will be one where she will learn the high school game, and these lessons will pay dividends over the next few seasons.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">9. [player_tooltip player_id="338948" first="Peyton" last="Musial"]-5’11 G/F-Notre Dame</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Over the next three and a half seasons, I fully believe that Musial can be one of the best wings in the state. The lefty at the moment has earned a role with a talented Notre Dame team. The Triton was in a closing lineup against then-undefeated Hortonville. Being entrusted with that responsibility is noticeable. I’m not sure how many other freshmen would have played to close that game, but Musial is one of them. Right now, the freshman is mainly shooting and cutting. As she gains more experience and gets used more, Musial could become one of the most efficient scorers in Wisconsin.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">10. [player_tooltip player_id="374232" first="Jenna" last="Welsch"]-5’9 CG-Catholic Memorial</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Welsch has a lot of good foundations to build on. She has attacked the basket relentlessly and has seen plenty of success in doing that. The Crusader has shown touch at the free-throw line, that touch hasn’t translated to her 3-point shooting yet, but I’m sure it will over time. Welsch has shown the athleticism to play in multiple different defensive schemes. Welsch will develop with more time in Classic 8 games because she’ll be challenged every night.</span>