Prep Girls Hoops Team Profile: Wisconsin Blaze Inferno

The first team previewed for the summer circuit is Wisconsin Blaze Inferno, participating in the Victory Region. The team based out of Appleton will be coached by founder Lisa Wan Wyk and Appleton North JV Head Coach, trainer, and curriculum coordinator Nas Solssa. Many of their players come from the Fox Valley, home of the toughest conference in Wisconsin, the Fox Valley Association. These kids have played against the best players and teams in Wisconsin and will be displaying their talents in the PGH Circuit. Annyka Hellendrung-5’9 G-’23-Waukesha West The Wolverine is new to the program and will do nothing but help herself this summer. During the season, Hellendrung came off the bench and spaced the floor with her ability to shoot. When she got the chance, she made things happen for her team. Playing with kids she likely didn’t meet until recently could make the early events a time for her to figure out where she fits in with this team. That said, when Hellendrung finds her footing with this team, schools will take notice of her shooting and willingness to defend. She does not need to score to make an impact on winning. Kierstin Kriewaldt Kierstin Kriewaldt 6'0" | SG Freedom | 2023 State WI -6’0 G/F-’23-Freedom The first thing everyone should know about Kriewaldt is her versatility. The junior can play anywhere from the one to the five on the floor. Her ability to facilitate offensively separates her from her peers. I got a chance to see her play at the state tournament, and she did a variety of positive things against some of the best Division 3 teams in the state. Kriewaldt is an accomplished shooter, an excellent passer, moves her feet defensively on the perimeter, and constantly makes plays on the offensive and defensive end. Wherever she plays on the floor, she’ll find a way to make a positive impact. Trinity Mocadlo Trinity Mocadlo 5'8" | PG Hortonville | 2023 State WI -5’9 PG/SG-’23-Hortonville Mocadlo has a reputation for being an elite defender in Wisconsin and earned the nickname "High-Octane" due to the pace she plays with all the time. I’m not sure in the three games I got to see the Polar Bear play in person that she stood still. Her conditioning seems like she’s prepared to run a marathon at any moment. This season she came off the bench for one of the most talented teams in Wisconsin and backed up the state’s Ms. Basketball winner. When she came into games, a player like her was the last thing defenders wanted to see. After dealing with one of the best guards in the state, Mocadlo would come in and visibly rip the spirit away from the opposition, playing elite defense and orchestrating an elite transition offense when she was in the game. College Coaches will fall more in love with her game as they continue to watch her play this summer. Karissa Smith Karissa Smith 5'9" | SG Appleton North | 2023 State WI -5’9 PG/SG-’23-Appleton North When I evaluate kids, I like to isolate their best skills and work from there. With Smith, that’s easy. She’s one of the best shooters in the state. Over her three seasons at Appleton North, she’s played against some of the best teams in the state. She’s managed to stay an elite 3-point shooter, making 42% over her career in the FVA. Every year it seems like she’s added something to her game to take her game to the next level. This season, Smith was much more aggressive defensively. She increased her steals number drastically this season and watching her play via stream backs up the numbers. I can’t wait to finally see her play in person for the first time this summer. Abby Jossie-5’11 G/F-’24-Stevens Point The Stevens Point sophomore didn’t play a ton this season, but she has the tools to excel in the summer scene. Jossie’s ability to pass will help this team break presses more easily than others, and she can space the floor to give some of the guards room to attack the basket. Jossie’s skillset will showcase her abilities over the summer better than playing in high school, simply because I think she can play in higher-paced games. She is also the only sophomore playing on this team, so keep an eye on her over the next few years. Emma Jossie Emma Jossie 5'8" | PF Stevens Point (SPASH) | 2023 State WI -5’9 G/F-’23-Stevens Point The Stevens Point native is one of my favorite prospects because of how unusual she is as a player. She’s an undersized forward but produces at a higher level than most kids at her position in the state. The elder Jossie had a dominant high school season (18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds). Now and again, the junior can take a game over in an unbelievable manner. Jossie scored 39 points against D.C. Everest and shot 14 of 15. Once coaches see her play, concerns about her height will disappear because of how good she is at what she does. Alana Zarneke Alana Zarneke 6'0" | SF Kaukauna | 2023 State WI -6’0 G/F-’23-Kaukauna I don’t know where to start with Zarneke because she does so much on the floor. I suppose her defensive versatility is my favorite of all of her talents. As a 6-foot guard with strength, she can defend anyone she sees on the floor. Zarneke will fit into any defensive scheme like a glove, and watching her athleticism displayed on that end of the court is something special. Offensively, she is just as versatile as she is on the defensive end. She can shoot the ball at a high level, create for her teammates, and rebound on the offensive end as good as anyone. It’d be hard to find an offensive or defensive scheme where Zarneke doesn’t shine. Kyra Funk-5’7 G-’23-Hortonville Funk will miss this summer due to a few nagging injuries to be 100% healthy for the high school season. However, you should know about her before she gets onto the floor this coming winter. Funk is a high-level shooter. The junior isn’t shy about finding her looks. Good shooters can knock down catch and shoot opportunities. Great shooters can make shots off the dribble, and she can. She’ll be playing on a Hortonville team still looking for their first state title in school history, and Funk being healthy and playing well will go a long way in achieving their goals this season. Keep an eye on her. she could be one of the more crucial kids for the Polar Bears this season. City Figlinski City Figlinski 5'9" Appleton West | 2023 WI -5’9 G-’23-Appleton West The thing about Figlinski that I like is the drive that she has to win and succeed. She is one of the best shooters in the state. She’s shot over 42% in her three-year career at Appleton West and has created more for her teammates every season. Playing at Appleton West is also unique because they are one of the few teams who don’t have the size that other Fox Valley teams have. Due to that, Figlinski has had to adapt and learn to play bigger. Earning 6.1 rebounds as a guard in the Fox Valley Association is one of the most absurd things I’ve seen this year. That stat alone should show people how determined she is to help her team at all costs, and I’ll say that to anyone who’ll listen. Jenna Shea-5’11 G/F-’23-Kimberly How Shea hasn’t touched a varsity jersey in high school is one of the weirdest things I’ve heard. Shea is a tall guard who is an intriguing offensive prospect because she combines size, ball-handling, shooting, and willingness to attack the basket. Defensively, Shea uses her physical tools to make plays on the ball. She’s an athletic 5-foot-11 kid who reads the game well. Shea jumps passing lanes, chases kids down in transition, and shows a passion for doing well on that end of the floor. Shea is the definition of a hidden gem, and I only learned about her a month ago, and multiple coaches around the state agree that she is an uber-talented kid.