Class of 2025: Under-the-Radar Kids With Intriguing Skillsets
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The final thing I want to do regarding the class of 2025 is to highlight some kids whose games I like. Some of these may not be the most heralded, but I’d like to talk about their games and what…
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Continue ReadingThe final thing I want to do regarding the class of 2025 is to highlight some kids whose games I like. Some of these may not be the most heralded, but I’d like to talk about their games and what I like about them.
The main thing to know about Bauer is that she’s pragmatic. She doesn’t have elite athleticism. However, she sees the game at a high level. Bauer’s shooting will eventually draw the interest of schools, but I think she could be a solid combo guard at the next level. She still had some freshman-Esque mistakes last season, but she was a freshman, and considering the load she carried offensively, I’m not worried about it.
Lauren Strifling Lauren Strifling 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2025 State WI
Highlights
The Homestead forward is slightly undersized to be a five at the next level, but I think she has a chance to play the four and possibly the three. She’s had some kids in front of her in high school and AAU, but ask anyone who’s seen her for extended periods, and they’ll tell you how skilled Strifling is in her own right. She’s a 5-foot-11 kid who can move her feet, make some perimeter jumpers, rebound, and pass. I think coaches would love the opportunity to mold her into an intriguing wing/forward.
Cali Havlovitz Cali Havlovitz 5'5" | CG Wild Rose | 2025 State WI
I have a soft spot for short guards who play hard. Every time I saw the younger Havlovitz sister this summer, she flew all over the place for loose balls and defended with desperation. She reminds me of her older sister, who also played extremely hard. There’s room to grow for the younger Havlovitz in some offensive areas of the game, but coaches love kids who never take anything for granted.
Ella Hamacher Ella Hamacher 5'9" | SF Stoughton | 2025 State WI
Highlights
The Stoughton product is someone I learned about at the Top250 Expo in Appleton last month. I’ve also seen her playing in the Premier Fall League in her hometown of Stoughton. Hamacher has been good in that league. She has some incredible individual defensive efforts, resulting in a few excellent blocks. She’s also shown a good faceup game with a baseline rip threw from her faceups where Hamacher routinely beat her initial defender. She’s a tweener position-wise because she’s a 5-foot-9 four naturally. Regardless of that, she’s effective.
SaDera Richardson SaDera Richardson 5'4" | PG Beloit Memorial | 2025 State WI
Highlights
The Beloit Memorial guard is another small guard I love. You’ll never guess if her team is up 50, down 50, or in a three-point game. Richardson does the same thing every time she’s on the floor. She creates extra possessions and may be one of the better offensive rebounders her size in this state. She’s a hard worker and has a passion for the game and getting better, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up being one of the most irritating kids to play in the Big Eight in a year or two.