Class D Players to Watch: Five from 2025

A talented pool of freshman experienced their first year of high school basketball and will be looking to build their minutes along with their skillset. We are diving into five players from the 2025 class that earned minutes last year but have a chance to shine in the 2022-2023 season. &nbsp; Zaili Benish | Leyton High School | SG Benish has been on my scouting list before, she is a hustler and all-around player who can stuff the stat sheets. She has a quick trigger and does not lack confidence in her ability to score. Benish has good defensive hands, averaging over 5 steals a game which allows her to get out quick in transition for easy buckets. After an impressive freshman year, Benish could quickly become a hot prospect with her ability to affect all aspects of the game. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/zaili-benish/-kXhqMj6skqQHPJnz52-GQ/news.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/zaili-benish/-kXhqMj6skqQHPJnz52-GQ/news.htm</a> &nbsp; Myleigh Weers | Diller-Odell High School | PG Weers is a scrappy point guard, always pressuring and creating turnovers on defense leading to transition easy baskets. Finding open spaces on floor and knocking down shots, with range, is a strength of Weers. She has a strong motor which often puts her in positions to score, whether its chasing down rebounds or getting out on fastbreaks. Weers will be a force her sophomore year. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/marquis-weers/9fXzhhWFEeOZ5AAmVebBJg/girls-basketball/stats.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/marquis-weers/9fXzhhWFEeOZ5AAmVebBJg/girls-basketball/stats.htm</a> &nbsp; Ashley Bauer | Elm Creek | SG Earning solid minutes as a freshman, Bauer displayed an ability to shoot the ball and a level of hustle that kept her team in games. Consistency will be the best improvement for Bauer this coming year, but she was able to score in double digits in the majority of the games her first year, even scoring 22 and 18 in consecutive games. Effort is a strength and as she perfects her craft, Bauer could emerge as a solid prospect. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/ashley-bauer/lYB2igqmWUiWtnaYio4zCw/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/ashley-bauer/lYB2igqmWUiWtnaYio4zCw/default.htm</a> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="316642" first="Taryn" last="Ottemann"] | Johnson-Brock | SF/PF Averaging a double-double last year, Ottemann made her presence known in the painted area her freshman year. She has solid size and length, creating matchup issues for defenders down low. Ottemann runs the floor well and gets in position quick which can lead to some easy buckets. Her stats may not reflect it but she also does a great job of altering shots and challenging defenders to tougher attempts. Ottemann could dominate in 2022-23. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/taryn-ottemann/3XR0FXGf4EeHDZzz3gTw5A/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/taryn-ottemann/3XR0FXGf4EeHDZzz3gTw5A/default.htm</a> &nbsp; Madison Bunger | Wilcox-Hildreth | SF/PF Another beast in the paint, Bunger averaged a double-double her freshman year and almost 2 blocks per game. Bunger knows how to use her body down low to create space for rebounding and/or creating higher percentage shots. She is strong and can play through contact. Her length wreaks havoc on opponents, challenging any shooter that gets near her. I expect a big year from Bunger. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/madison-bunger/5c2saHy9akC9kd6nttGbHg/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/madison-bunger/5c2saHy9akC9kd6nttGbHg/default.htm</a>