PGH Circuit Team Profile: Let it Rain (U17 and U16)
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Today we continue looking at teams playing on the PGH Circuit and highlight Let it Rain. We’ll be highlighting their U17, coached by Ryan Antony, and their U16 group, coached by Adam Rotar. Without further ado, let’s talk about the players who will take the floor for the Madison area organization.
U17
Avree Antony Avree Antony 5'10" | SG Sun Prarie | 2023 State WI -5’10 G-’23-Sun Prairie
Unfortunately, we won’t get to see Antony on the floor for a while after suffering a knee injury in the playoffs this season. However, there is a lot to say about what she does on the floor. When you get a chance to watch great athletes move, you can tell they are on a different level than other kids. That’s the feeling I get when I watch Avree play. The way she can cut, accelerate, and jump looks different. Antony has figured out how to use her athleticism to her advantage. The most impressive part of Antony’s game is the body control when making some plays that don’t make sense. It’ll be very heart-warming to see her back on the floor at some point during the high school season. Antony possesses 18 NCAA Division 1 offers at the moment; St. Louis, DePaul, Butler, Monmouth, Green Bay, Milwaukee, IUPUI, Oakland, Northern Illinois, Illinois State, Valparaiso, Northern Iowa, Evansville, Colorado State, St. Thomas, North Dakota, UMKC, and Nebraska Omaha.
MaKenzie Drout MaKenzie Drout 5'9" | CG Kimberly | 2023 State WI -5’9 G-’23-Kimberly
Of the players I’ve gotten a chance to talk to, Drout is the one I’d pick out that was born to play and talk basketball. If you show her one set that a team runs, she could probably talk about how her team could defend it in ten different ways. Her basketball IQ is out of this world. On the floor, her game is just as impressive as her IQ. Offensively, she can score any way you can think possible. Drout can knock down three-pointers, mid-rangers, floaters, and finish around forwards in the paint. She even has this weird-looking one-legged leaning jumper. Defensively she’s good but not elite, but the best part about Drout’s mind is that she knows what she’s capable of doing. She’s able to funnel guards that can get by her to where her help is or tactically foul when she knows there is no help. MaKenzie Drout MaKenzie Drout 5'9" | CG Kimberly | 2023 State WI plays chess when everyone else is playing checkers. Drout possesses offers from nine NCAA Division 1 schools; St. Thomas, Northern Illinois, Appalachian State, Evansville, Youngstown State, Vermont, Boston, Wofford, and Denver.
Taylor Jacobson Taylor Jacobson 5'9" | CG Monroe | 2023 State WI -5’10 G-’23-Monroe
I’m not sure if anyone in the state drew the attention defensively that Jacobson drew. She was by far the best player on Monroe’s team, and defenses would do almost anything to assure she didn’t get anything going. The junior is an uber-athletic perimeter player who I think will shine this summer. A setting where she won’t have the kitchen sink thrown at her and one where she’s around other talented kids will only bring the best version out of her.
Caden Krohn Caden Krohn 6'0" | PF Waukesha West | 2023 State WI -6’0 F-’23-Waukesha West
The 6-foot forward from Waukesha is a balanced scorer. If Krohn has to step out and knock down some perimeter jumpers, she can do that, and she has the balance with goof footwork to operate in the post. Having a player over the summer like Krohn makes everyone better. She can provide space and is an excellent pick and roll partner for the guards, Let it Rain has and can take over games offensively. Krohn has one NCAA Division 1 offer from IUPUI.
Paige Lambe Paige Lambe 6'2" | PF Verona | 2023 State WI -6’2 F-’23-Verona
The Verona forward plays in one of the most efficient structures in Wisconsin. This summer, I’m excited to see what she can do in a system where she has more freedom to express herself. Lambe scores around the basket and is an excellent post scorer. Defensively they had her play in the middle of a 2-3 zone where she would have a lot of drives funneled directly at her. Lambe currently possesses three NCAA Division 2 offers; Illinois Springfield, University of Mary, and Minnesota State Moorhead.
Olivia Peterson Olivia Peterson 5'6" | SG Appleton West | 2023 State WI -5’6 G-’23-Appleton West
The Appleton native is coming off an excellent season, earning 2nd team all-conference in the Fox Valley Association. What she’s been able to do at her size in the conference is incredible. Peterson can score in a variety of ways and make it look easy. She makes 3’s, mid-rangers, floaters, a funky 18-foot push shot, and has adapted to finish around some skilled posts in the FVA. She’s learned how to play with kids half a foot taller than her during the high school season. I think she’s going to turn some heads this summer.
Sierra Poteat-5’8 G-’23-Verona
The Verona guard’s season ended almost as soon as it started. A knee injury will keep her out this summer. I have never seen her play, but I know if she is good enough to get minutes for head coach Angie Murphy at Verona Poteat has talent. You have to defend at Verona to play, and Poteat is an athletic guard who does that. Verona will return most of their team from a year ago and add a star point guard returning from injury. Poteat has a role to play there.
Taylor Wojcinski Taylor Wojcinski 5'10" | SG Franklin | 2023 State WI -5’9 F-’23-Franklin
The Franklin native is a talented two-sport athlete (softball) who will be a massive help to Let it Rain this summer. She brings the toughness that this group needs. Having a forward to pair with Lambe like Wojcinksi is a perfect balance. They’ll get the best out of both of each other. She’s good enough to play softball or basketball at the next level, so time will tell which she will choose or if she’ll play both.
Tara Wellnitz Tara Wellnitz 5'10" | SF Black Hawk | 2023 WI -5’10 F-’23-Black Hawk
Wellnitz was a late addition due to injuries. I’m not expecting her to excel with this group immediately. However, Let it Rain added her because she’s good enough to play with them. Wellnitz is a versatile forward who plays inside and out. She also fights for rebounds and wins those fights more often than not. These two could be a match made in heaven.
Grace King Grace King 5'6" | SG Whitnall | 2023 State WI -5’7 G-’23-Whitnall
King is another late addition for Let it Rain, and like Wellnitz, I don’t expect her to hit the ground running. However, I have seen King play once before at Kettle Moraine Classic back in November. There is something to her game. She’s a nice-looking shooter and is a solid passer on the perimeter. I think she will do a lot of spacing for Drout and Jacobson. That’ll make everyone look good. I was surprised she wasn’t playing with another team when I heard the news, but a solid pickup for Let it Rain this late in the game.
U16
Ava Brandenburg Ava Brandenburg 5'10" | CG Evansville | 2024 State WI -5’9 F-’24-Evansville
Brandenburg is 5-foot-9, and she has told me she’s only 5-foot-9, but I still don’t believe that. She plays way taller than that and looks taller when she’s on the floor. That said, the sophomore is as versatile as anyone. She can play on the perimeter at a high level and play inside at that same level. Brandenburg’s mind is also on another level. I have gotten to talk with her before, and I was blown away by how she thinks about basketball. When she’s on the floor, there is a strong chance she sees the game better than everyone. I want to see her play with this group to see how well she plays as a secondary player because she won’t have to do everything as she does at Evansville. She’s a super talented kid, and college coaches will begin to pick up some serious interest in her this summer.
Amaya Bridgewater Amaya Bridgewater 5'10" | CG Pius XI | 2024 WI -5’9 G/F-Pius XI
The transfer policy the WIAA has is dumb, and Bridgewater had to sit out this season. I made it a point to get the Pius and South Milwaukee game early to see Bridgewater play. As expected, she dominated kids at the JV level. Whenever she’s allowed to play varsity, Bridgewater will play a role for Pius. This summer,r she will play with a lot of talent she may not have met before, so I expect some growing pains early. When she finds her footing, the combination of skill and strength she has will showcase her talent to a much broader audience.
Ellie Demet Ellie Demet 5'8" | SG Watertown | 2024 State WI -5’8 G-’24-Watertown
You won’t find many kids who can score in isolation as well as Demet can. Her arsenal of moves seems to be limitless, and her creativity is off the chart. Her ability to react to what defenses throw at her is ridiculous. At the Top250 Expo in Appleton, Demet thrived in an environment where she was free to be herself. At Watertown, they played slow and asked her and a few others to pick their spots, which helped them win games, but not a system that shows what Demet does best. Over the summer, I expect to see Demet at her absolute best, and colleges will take notice.
Taya Fernandez Taya Fernandez 5'6" | CG Edgewood (Madison) | 2024 State WI -5’6 G-’24-Wisconsin Dells
Fernandez is coming off a good summer last time around in the circuit. She has a great-looking jumper, and she’s a good creator for others. Playing with this group is beneficial for her because of the way she can play on and off the ball and still find ways to prosper.
Lexi Fuhremann-’24-Waunakee
The Waunakee native spent this season playing JV to get some playing time instead of being buried on the bench on a 15 girl varsity team. Fuhremann has the talent to play with kids at the highest level, so I’m intrigued to see what she can do this summer.
Abbey Inda Abbey Inda 5'8" | CG Monona Grove | 2024 State WI -5’8 G/F-’24-Monona Grove
The Silver Eagle is one of the most intriguing kids on this team. Inda is a rugged kid who led Monona Grove in rebounds this year. Inda isn’t shy about posting up opposing guards and scoring with a strong post-move. Ths sophomore can do some things defensively that are intriguing as well. Her toughness leads to her never giving ground defending kids on the perimeter, and that is something that will show this summer.
Karsyn Nelson-5’8 G-’24-Monona Grove
Nelson is coming off an excellent summer campaign a season ago and will look to take the next step at Monona Grove this winter. She has a good burst, and the threat of that alone can create space for her to get a shot off. The summer is an opportunity to show what she’s improved the last year to a large audience.
Lily Oiler Lily Oiler 5'10" | CG Watertown | 2024 WI -5’10 G-’24-Watertown
Like Demet, Oiler will look very different in a setting where she plays at a higher pace. I like what she’s done at Watertown to help them make a run at a conference title this year. Her size and mobility make her an intriguing defensive prospect, and I can’t wait to see her defend in something other than the zone the Gosling’s played this season.
Addison Yates Addison Yates 5'10" | PG Brodhead | 2024 WI -5’9 G-’24-Brodhead
This high school season ended for Yates after Brodhead lost to New Glarus in a regional title game. However, this summer for Yates is going to be crucial. The Cardinals leaned on Abbie Dix Abbie Dix 5'11" | PF Brodhead | 2023 WI to score, which meant players like Yates didn’t always get to do her thing. I think she has a chance to open some eyes this summer, and drawing attention is all she needs to do at the moment because she can be good enough to play at the next level.