Class of 2024: Players to Watch Next Season

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">I want to talk about a few sophomores who’ll take on an increased role next season. I’m going to talk about a few kids who excelled last season and have a chance to take their game to another level. The four players listed are in no particular order.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="209605" first="Claire" last="Bjorge"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Redbirds’ point guard is one of the best guards in Wisconsin. Bjorge was a unanimous all-conference first-team selection this season, and deservedly so. The sophomore finished third in assists this season, with 4.4 per game. Bjorge is also one of the most consistent underclass shooters over the last two seasons. Not many kids can say they had an off-year shooting when shooting 42% from the 3-point line. Defensively she’s as tough as they come. It’s impossible to rattle or frustrate her. So for 36 minutes, she’s going to get after it defensively. With De Pere’s star senior departing for Butler next season, Bjorge could have a true breakout season.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="209909" first="Samantha" last="Schmitt"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Very few lead guards have the instincts that Schmitt possesses. When the Oregon point guard has the ball, I feel a metaphoric exhale when Schmitt gets the ball within the Panthers’ halfcourt offense. I’ve seen her twice. Each time I’ve left the gym feeling the impact she had on the game. She has plenty of room to improve, especially on the offensive end. There is a good shooter within Schmitt. She’ll have to figure that out next year without E. Mortensen. If she figures out the offensive side of her game, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers are a surprise contender for a Badger-West title. She can be that good.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="337024" first="Olivia" last="Conway"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Everything has changed over Conway’s two seasons at Catholic Memorial, new coaches, leaders, and a new role. CMH has had [player_tooltip player_id="262972" first="Grace" last="Lomen"] doing everything for a few seasons, and she’s off to UW-Parkside. The natural next in line to take an increased role feels like Conway. The sophomore is an excellent shooter, with the potential to be an intriguing ball handler. I’m interested in how she handles another uptick in usage next season.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="329548" first="Mary" last="Berg"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The last thing I remember from Berg’s season is an incredible four 3-pointer performance against Notre Dame. She had an up and down season as a sophomore, with an outstanding first half of the season. Berg can change the game on the offensive end. With a few seniors going off to play at the Division 2 level in Minnesota, the Mustang guard will do a lot next season, and she’s more than capable of doing more. I’m excited to see how Berg handles the increased role.</span>