PGH Circuit Team Preview: Team Wisconsin (U17 and U16)

The last team in Wisconsin left to preview before they take the floor this weekend is Team Wisconsin. They will be sending five teams on the circuit this year. Kyleigh Hebert, assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, coaches one U17 team, and Cade Murray coaches the U17 team. Eau Claire Memorial high school coach Brandon Fanning coaches one U16 team, the University of Wisconsin-Stout men's basketball guard, and Cuba City alum Jackson Noll will coach another. Finally, a former two-sport athlete at St. Mary's University, Hallie Schmeling, will coach a U16 team.

U17 Hebert

Tayah Christopher Tayah Christopher 5'11" | CG Altoona | 2023 State WI -5'11 G'F-'23-Altoona Christopher brings versatility to this group, with the ability to play one through four on both ends. The junior is a point forward, with her game slanted toward facilitation. She has a good basketball IQ, which helps her foresee where passing lanes will be. Christopher will shine in a summer setting. B. Lily Cayley Lily Cayley 5'8" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2023 State WI -5'8 G-'23-Eau Claire Memorial If you blink, you could miss some of the things Cayley does. There are very few players who can keep up with the guard in transition. The great thing about Cayley's game is it's not all speed. It has a lot more to do with her first step. I doubt more than five kids in Wisconsin can consistently keep her in front in isolation. After she beats defenders, there are very few players as creative as her around the basket. Teams often committed multiple bodies to Cayley during the high school season to slow her down. Kenzie Deaton-5'8 G-'23-Wausau West The Wausau native comes from a basketball family. On the defensive end, she takes pride in winning her matchup. You won't see many players play with the constant desperation she has. It also helps that she's a three-level scorer to boot. Lily Truchon Lily Truchon 5'11" | PG South Shore | 2023 State WI -5'11 G/F-'23-South Shore The Truchon experience in the high school season it's something else. She was one of the state's leading scorers this season and recorded triple-doubles on a semi-regular basis. She brings a versatility that will help this group. She's quick enough to guard multiple positions, skilled enough to score on the block, and can knock down shots on the perimeter. She's someone I'm eager to see this summer. Emily Cooper Emily Cooper 5'7" | SG Mcdonnell Central Catholic | 2024 State WI -5'8 G-'24-McDonell Central Catholic I got to see Cooper play in the state tournament at the Resch Center. Even though she didn't have her best shooting day that afternoon, she constantly made winning plays. Cooper is the first on the floor for a loose ball every time and isn't afraid to push the ball down the floor with a baseball pass. She has excellent court vision and will be a solid shooter this summer. Violet Morren Violet Morren 6'4" | C Hillsboro | 2023 State WI -6'4 F-'23-Hillsboro Last summer was successful for Morren, and she's continued to get better. She's a student of the game who isn't settling for who she is right now. Even though Morren has the perfect size for a college center, she is still learning how to utilize her physical tools. However, she's as solid around the basket as anyone. Morren can finish with both hands and hardly ever gives smaller players and chance to swipe at the ball by keeping it high. Lexie White Lexie White 5'11" | SG Wausau West | 2023 State WI -5'11 G-'23-Wausau West When I learned about Lexie, the first thing I did was watch her film. Honestly, the sky is the limit for her. White is an unbelievable scorer anywhere on the court. If you run her off pin downs, elevator screens, back cuts, or isolate her, White will score efficiently. She's also willing to rebound as a guard, and her size helps her in that aspect, but she could help herself a lot this summer. Brya Smith-5'10 G/F-'23-Eau Claire North Smith is a versatile forward that can score on the block and perimeter. She plays with a level of physicality that shows how much she wants to create an advantage for herself and her teammates. Defensively, Smith knows what she's capable of and knows what she needs to do to stay in front of her assignment. Alyssa Wirth Alyssa Wirth 6'5" | C Altoona | 2024 State WI -6'5 F-'24-Altoona You'll see Wirth on the block more often than not, but she has the skill to stretch the floor out to the 3-point line. Wirth has more ability than most kids her size, not many would expect her to be able to attack defenses off the dribble, but she can. Wirth also does the "traditional" things well. She keeps the ball high, rebounds the ball at its highest point, and kicks the ball out to open shooters. She has as high of a ceiling as anyone on the circuit.

U17 Murray

Olivia Pizzi-5'5 G-'23-River Falls If you're looking for a good decision maker, Pizzi is someone you should watch. Even though she doesn't have elite size, she knows how much space she needs to shoot and how to attack the basket without getting blocked. Pizzi shot over 40% from the 3-point line in a talented Big Rivers Conference and defended at a high level. The more you watch her, the more you'll appreciate her game. Rylie Radloff-5'11 F-'23-Prescott The Prescott forward will make a perfect pick and roll partner with Pizzi. Radloff has the athleticism to attack the paint as a screener and has the threat to pop and knock down a jumper. She's a solid post player with the balance and footwork to get where she wants. Her athleticism makes her a good defender who can switch if necessary and defend the paint at a high level. Sienna Torgerud-5'7-'23-La Crosse Central I had not heard of Torgerud before talking with her coach, but going back and seeing what she can do, makes her easy to play alongside. She may not score 20 points in any game or grab 15 rebounds, but what she will do is constantly catch the eye of people watching the game. She is willing to step in and draw a charge, fight for rebounds and position on both ends of the floor, and doesn't stop fighting until she gets subbed. I never say this because it's a bit cliche, but she'll never cheat the game and will play at the next level because a coach somewhere will fall in love with her. Grace Carlson Grace Carlson 5'7" | SF Amery | 2023 WI -5'7 G-'23-Amery The thing about Carlson that I love is her spurtability. She is a kid who can score in bunches and change the course of a game. Carlson also understands how to attack with both feet. She's also willing to do everything she needs to give her team the best chance of winning. Even though she's only 5-foot-7, she came close to recording a few double-doubles this season. Molly Twitchell-5'9 G-'23-Holmen The junior is yet another kid who consistently makes winning plays throughout a game. She can be anyone you want as a player, which is a skill in my book. If you need her to go and score, defend the other team's best player, be a vocal leader, or anything else you can think of, she'll do it and excel. Ella Peters-5'11 G/F-'23-River Falls The River Falls player has a ton of talent. Peters can do just about anything at worst at a solid level. Because of this, she ended the year as a second-team All-Big Rivers Conference performer. Don't be surprised to see her carry that momentum into the summer. She'll have the freedom to be the best version of herself and likely open up some eyes this summer. Kyra Bisarek Kyra Bisarek 5'6" | CG Hillsboro | 2023 WI -5'7 G-'23-Hillsboro The Hillsboro guard has a knack for getting the best out of her teammates. She'll facilitate the offense for this group and help set her teammates up for success. Bisarek will also put pressure on the rim by driving. If you have a chance to see her, you'll likely hear her constantly communicating with her teammates. Kierstyn Kindschy-5'8 G-'23-Blair-Taylor The Blair-Taylor guard has continued to improve over the years and going into her last summer at Team Wisconsin. She's riding a lot of momentum. Kindschy played for a talented Blair-Taylor team in one of the best backcourts in D5. She has the talent to change games on the offensive end and make winning plays regularly. Eleice Dahl Eleice Dahl 5'8" | CG Osseso-Fairchild | 2023 State WI -5'9 G-'23-Osseo-Fairchild Dahl is coming off a knee injury she suffered in January. So it may be a little bit before she's at her best. When the guard gets to 100%, Dahl will look as good as anyone. She has everything you want in a next-level point guard; leadership, balance, footwork, creation, shooting, plus size for a lead guard. She has it all. Isabelle Schmitt-6'1 F-'23-Rice Lake The Rice Lake native is the kind of forward coaches love. In the paint, Schmitt hardly turns the ball over. She can use her size and skill to get to the free-throw line or draw attention from guards to kick out a pass to open shooters. I can imagine that all of her teammates love playing with her.

U16 Fanning

Evelyn Tripp Evelyn Tripp 5'9" | CG Sparta | 2024 State WI -5'9 G-'24-Sparta The size that Tripp has is a plus. She plays with a high motor and makes it easy to trust her on the floor. The Sparta native also has a quick jump shot, and her size combined with a fast release makes it difficult to contest. Sam Jacobsen Sam Jacobsen 5'10" | CG Menomonie | 2024 State WI -5'10-G/F-'24-Menomonie I got to see Jacobsen at the Resch Center about a month ago. I.mm still amazed at her versatility. She can guard one through and some fives depending on the matchup. The Menomonie native is also able to chip in everywhere. She can do everything well, and I think coaches will begin to notice how gifted she is this summer. Kelly Kray Kelly Kray 6'2" | PF Wausau West | 2024 State WI -6'2 F-'24-Wausau West Kray will play her first year that Kray will play with Team Wisconsin this summer after coming over from . The Wausau native is a talented 6-foot-2 post that will likely stay in and around the paint but has the skill to step out and take a 3-pointer or two. She has excellent footwork and understands how to use her physical tools to her advantage. Keyah Strop Keyah Strop 5'7" | CG River Falls | 2024 State WI -5'7 G-'24-River Falls Strop's athleticism jumps off the screen. She plays taller than her listed height. You'll see her attack the rim and force the officials to work. She's a rugged kid that'll be annoying for opposing guards to deal with this summer. Olivia Grothaus Olivia Grothaus 5'11" | CG Hudson | 2024 State WI -5'11 G-'24-Hudson Grothaus is a versatile guard who is essentially a super-sized perimeter player. She has a bag of tricks that includes a plus crossover to help her create space to attack the basket. The Hudson native is comfortable taking 3's within what her team wants to do offensively. Kelsey Cooper Kelsey Cooper 6'1" | C St. Croix | 2024 State WI -6'1 F-'24-St. Croix Falls Cooper is another kid that I got to see at the Resch Center. What stood out to me was how much she physically dominated before getting into foul trouble. For five minutes, Cooper got every contested rebound. That stretch helped the Saints get back into the game. I'm very eager to see what she does this summer. Kloe Zentkowski Kloe Zentkowski 6'1" | CG Superior | 2024 State WI -6'1 G/F-Superior The Superior perimeter player is someone who physically makes no sense to me. Zentkowski is a legit 6-foot-1 guard and fluid athlete. She'll cause opposing guards to have nightmares after guarding them. Offensively, she's a good ball-handler and shooter who is constantly moving off the ball. Eliana Sheplee Eliana Sheplee 5'10" | SG Rice Lake | 2024 State WI -5'10 G/F-'24-Rice Lake At the high school level, Sheplee is the best athlete in the state. Debate a wall because I'm not backing down from that claim. Sheplee broke a 40-year state 400-meter record after never running track before her freshman year last spring. I'll link that run below. Her athleticism is also on full display on the hardwood. In simplest terms, she moves differently; she jumps higher, runs fast, has the quickest first step you'll see, and makes it look normal. By far my favorite athlete to watch.

WATCH HER STATE RECORD HERE

Mary Berg Mary Berg 5'7" | PG Menomonie | 2024 State WI -5'7 G-'24-Menomonie In my time watching games this year, nobody got a crowd going like Berg did at the Resch Center. She's a dynamite shooter and knocked down four 3's in the state semifinal against Notre Dame. She also defended one of the best guards in the state well, who scored 27 in the title game. I'm excited to see her play again.

U17 Noll

Brooklynn Sarauer-5'6 G-'24-Bloomer It's hard to rattle Sarauer when she has the ball. She has a level of comfort with the ball because of the work put into her game. It also helps that she's comfortable knocking down perimeter jumpers when she's off the ball. She is the definition of a combo-guard. Ava Highman Ava Highman 5'5" | PG Regis | 2024 WI -5'7 G-'24-Eau Claire Regis The Eau Claire native can score in bunches. Having scorers like Highman means the game is never really out of reach. A from her could make a 15 point deficit a two-possession game. Highman will initiate offense this summer with this group as well. Emma Lechleitner Emma Lechleitner 5'9" | CG Lake Holcombe | 2024 WI -5'9G/F-'24-Lake Holcombe You won't find many better athletes than Lechleitner. She has a sister who'll play Division 1 basketball next season, and those genes are with her. She's a rangy athlete who is at her best in transition. Lydia Levra-5'5 G-'24-Elk Mound Even though Levra is a shorter guard, she has the fight that makes up for the lack of height. She'll defend the other team's best guard and surprise them with how strong she is at her size. Levra has a combination of speed and strength, making her an intriguing prospect. Piper Hicks-6'0 F-'24-Grantsburg As a six-foot post player, Hicks will do things to connect with everyone on this team. Her rebounding will be crucial to spring transition opportunities. Hicks' pick and roll ability will also help every guard on this team and Hicks in turn. Emily Montgomery-5'9 G-'24-South Shore The fun thing about Montgomery's game is how well it suits playing in a summer setting. She's an excellent athlete who'll be able to get up and down the floor and excel. She was an all-conference performer who will turn some heads this summer. Arianna Bentley-5'10 F-'24-Eau Claire North Bentley is a lot like Hicks. She will be a crucial piece to help create transition opportunities by rebounding or creating turnovers on the blocks. Mckenna Shipman-5'7 G-'24-Colfax It seems like Shipman finds the ball wherever it is on the court. She scored 15 points per game in the conference this year. Shipman will play taller than her height and attack the basket constantly. Dani Latz Dani Latz 5'10" | SF Bloomer | 2024 WI -5'10 G/F-'24-Bloomer Another All-Conference performer. Latz is an athletic wing who'll look outstanding this summer. The sophomore will score and contest shots at an elite level for a perimeter player. Latz will turn heads. I'm sure of that.

U16 Schmeling

Alexis Pronschinskie-5'9 G/F-'24-Cochrane-Fountain City The Cochrane-Fountain City wing is going to make her teammates better. She's a solid rebounder and is a good athlete. Madisyn Mohr-5'6 G-'24-Elk Mound Mohr is an excellent athlete. She's going to defend at a high level because of her lateral quickness and discipline on the ball. Olivia Cooper-5'8 G-'24-Eau Claire Memorial Cooper has a high level of court awareness and will make her teammates better by creating easy looks. Cooper will also handle the pressure that defenses bring to her. Hannah Solie-5'3 G-'24-Chetek-Weyerhaeuser There is a lot of craft to Solie's game, and there needs to be with her size. She's a solid defender who will bother a lot of point guards this season. Lexi Thorson-5'6 G-'24-Hillsboro Thorson is a vocal leader who isn't afraid to orchestrate her teammates. She's improved as a guard and will continue to improve this season. Mikayla Beglinger-5'10 G/F-'24-Eau Claire Memorial The Eau Claire Memorial guard is also not shy to vocalize what she sees. Beglinger is a high IQ player who knows how to use her plus athleticism. Brynn Burr-5'8 G-'24-Onalaska Luther Burr is a constant source of two-way play. She'll excel in the midrange area and defend at a solid level this summer. Rayna Welsch-5'11 F-'24-Eau Claire Memorial Welsch is a solid forward who can finish around the rim. She does her work early in the post to get an advantageous position. She'll out-strength most of her matchups. Jordyn Peed-5'8 G-'24 Eau Claire Memorial When you watch Peed play, notice her competitive drive. Viewers will quickly gather how hard she plays all the time. Peed is an athletic wing who will help chip in and do a little bit of everything. Savannah Lockington-5'5 G-'24-La Crosse Central The La Crosse Central guard makes lives difficult for the kids she guards. Lockington will get up into offensive guards and take away their space, giving them little to no room to operate. She can score at all three levels, and her motor runs high at all times.