Best Uncommitted Upperclassmen: Badger West
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Next stop on the list of conferences I’m evaluating is the loaded Badger West. Let’s take a look at some of the top uncommitted upperclass hoopers: Taylor Jacobson Taylor Jacobson 5'9" | CG Monroe | 2023 State WI | Monroe…
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Continue ReadingNext stop on the list of conferences I’m evaluating is the loaded Badger West. Let’s take a look at some of the top uncommitted upperclass hoopers:
Taylor Jacobson Taylor Jacobson 5'9" | CG Monroe | 2023 State WI | Monroe | Class of 2023 | Guard/Wing
Placed into the role of de facto point guard for the Cheesemakers this season, Jacobson’s had the opportunity to develop her vision and playmaking ability. And while the beginning of the season came with a definite learning curve, Jacobson has learned to use the attention she demands as a way to get others clean looks, particularly off cuts to the basket (though Jacobson has always been a willing passer along the perimeter as well). Her patience distributing the ball as a lead guard has taken giant steps forward this season, and despite the rather unpleasant win-loss column for Monroe this season, Jacobson has routinely added new elements to her game.
But make no mistake, Jacobson’s bread and butter is attacking the basket off the catch. Her combination of athleticism and fluidity attacking off of two-dribble actions is the most dangerous aspect of her game. She changes directions pointedly and can get her feathery floater off against most all guards that defend her at the high school level. And the touch she’s demonstrated on her floater has translated to other aspects of her offensive skillset –again, harping on that theme of constantly adding more to her game. She’s begun to look to enter the post from the perimeter when she notices a mismatch, attacking with a power dribble and turning off the left shoulder to elevate and lift a baby hook over the top. It’s a small aspect of her game that doesn’t get accented, but Jacobson’s methodical improvement has been a welcome sight for Monroe fans this season.
Trenna Cherney Trenna Cherney 5'10" | SF Reedsburg | 2022 State WI | Reedsburg | Class of 2022 | Wing/Forward
Cherney is a key cog in a Reedsburg offense that absolutely sings. As basic as it may sound, Cherney just knows exactly where to be to space the floor and inflict the most damage on confused defenses. Her relocation and movement off of cuts throws the defense out of rhythm, and while she may not be the one finishing off possessions, Cherney is integral in the creation of high-efficiency looks. She complements the movement of her teammates well, and the Beavers are rewarded for it.
For as much as Cherney is a mover, she also puts a more definitive stamp on games with her outside shot and physicality around the basket. She generates a ton of power from the hip on her jumper, allowing for greater range and consistency from the outside. This repeatability is particularly important considering the significance of tempo and zip within the Reedsburg offense. She’s constantly ready to pull the trigger from outside though not at the sacrifice of her IQ and finding the best shot within the flow of the game.
Finally, it’s important to shed light on Cherney being a defensive maniac. Some of the decisions she makes on that end make no sense until the possession is complete and the stop is made. For example, when Reedsburg is out of position (on the break, loose ball, whatever the situation may be), Cherney reads the flow of the opposition’s actions and attacks the space of where the action is headed rather than just recovering to her matchup. This requires a ton of trust in your teammates to zone off weak side space, but also the instincts to defend the most important points on the court. Just a ridiculously fun and smooth player who can succeed at the next level.
Maggie Hartwig Maggie Hartwig 6'1" | PF Sauk Prairie | 2023 State WI | Sauk Prairie | Class of 2023 | Forward
Hartwig, like Jacobson, has also shown a lot of in-season improvement since the start of her junior campaign. She’s become a much smoother handler of the rock in the paint and is finishing more confidently around the basket than before the new year hit. Her length lets her get shots off rather cleanly, though she needs to do a better job synthesizing her athleticism with her length. There are times when she gets caught in the paint attacking two many bodies, or not fully extending her arms on layup attempts.
Back to the improvements: Hartwig’s progression as a passer out of the paint has also taken a step forward. She’s not slinging no-look dimes to the weak side corner or anything, but making simple reads out of doubles or hammer passes after attacking the baseline have become commonplace for Hartwig. Her raw numbers don’t wow, but the 5’11″ junior is a significant contributor on the offensive end.
And defensively, Hartwig is still the active interior presence that makes her so important to Sauk Prairie’s success. She angles her body effectively to maximize the efficacy of her length when contesting layups and short-range looks. This skill also translates to the moments where Hartwig has to guard the perimeter. While lacking elite lateral quickness, Hartwig keeps her foot moving and angles her body to shadow the actions of her matchup. If she gets beat, this allows her to continue to interrupt the shot. Hartwig still has some work to do in the post offensively to truly become a two-way player, but the 2023 forward still finds ways to impact both sides of the ball.
Grace Vesperman | Mount Horeb | Class of 2022 | Guard
Vesperman can effectively play in both guard spots with confidence. She has the shooting touch and mechanics to threaten defenses off the ball in catch-and-shoot actions, but the handle and passing willingness to run the offense herself. She generates power effortlessly off the dribble and can navigate through screens to create open looks and maximize the impact of this skill. If her collegiate candidacy is boiled down to a single selling point, it’s the simple fact that she can shoot-dribble-pass at a high level.
Her disruptive aptitude on the defensive end should be another selling point. She has the tenacity and energy to defend multiple players on any given defensive possession. She has fast and accurate hands that disrupt passes and lead to steals, igniting the fastbreak and highlighting her skills as a combo-guard (in this case accenting her point guard skills and ability to lead a break). Though a bit undersized, Versperman’s confidence and toughness make her a viable defensive option against guards unready to match her energy.