AAU Stock Risers

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">As I began covering the state of Iowa, I got watched plenty of kids from the Hawkeye state this AAU season. Today, I’m going to high some of the kids who played well over the PGH Circuit likely raised their stock in the process.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Lauren Golinghorst</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The North Scott product is a versatile four that can put the ball on the floor and pressure the basket. Her ability to get to the basket bends defenses and forces a reaction from a team’s defense that can open up the floor for her teammates. Defensively she also brings that same versatility. I think she’s looked good when she’s defended guards in a pinch on the perimeter, and her length also makes her incredibly difficult to score over at the basket.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="342199" first="Josie" last="Potts"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Dubuque native is always a threat to get a shot off from anywhere. She loads her jumper up near her eyes, and before you know it, her jump shot is already on the way toward the basket. Watching kids try and adjust to defending her jumper was intriguing because her jumper is solid and not something kids are used to seeing. Kids must guard her five feet behind the 3-point line or risk getting burned.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="342210" first="Emma" last="Slings"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I have a few types of players I love to watch, one of them are wings who can defend, and another is kids with a ridiculously high motor. Slings is both of those to a tee. You’ll never catch her taking a break or not engaged on the floor. She’s one of my favorite kids to watch because everything she does has a purpose and is incredibly aggressive.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="63012" first="Ella" last="Bockenstedt"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Marion forward is a super skilled kid who knocks down jumpers and plays with her back to the basket. Her release on her jumper is so high that she draws fouls fairly often because her matchup literally can’t get to the heights she’s going. When the Marion native has her back to the basket, Bockenstedt has a lot of speed, patience, and balance. She understands how to feel the defense as she gets to her spots. I loved the variety of ways she got to her left shoulder, whether through one dribble, a spin, or a reverse pivot. The forward has skill and size that will always make her challenging to defend. The more I’ve seen her, the more highly I’ve thought of her game. </span>