Forwards Who've Stood Out in Games I've Attended

Before the winter break ends, I'd like to highlight some kids who stood out to me over the first chunk of the season. I'll be heading out to Watertown tomorrow, but before I go, I want to talk about some forwards tonight and guards tomorrow who have stood out at games I've attended.   [player_tooltip player_id='266988' first='MiKayla' last='Werner']   I'll say it until she graduates and caps off a successful career at the next level, all [player_tooltip player_id='266988' first='MiKayla' last='Werner'] does is make teams better. She is the perfect kid to fill multiple roles and make winning plays. Is Werner flashy? Not really, Is she going to put up 40 points and 20 rebounds in most games? Probably not. However, she'll grab every rebound in her area and some outside of it, she'll defend one through four at the next level in different situations and be solid, and she makes a high percentage of her 3-point attempts. Whoever gets Werner will have a much easier time filling lineups because she'll be able to do all the little things coaches want.    [player_tooltip player_id='448322' first='Torie' last='Neubauer']   The Appleton East forward reminds me a lot of [player_tooltip player_id='266988' first='MiKayla' last='Werner']. Both are 6-foot wing/forward hybrids and are some of the most athletic and driven kids in that position. Watching her move showed me she has the athleticism to be a scholarship-level kid if things go right for her. Kids with her size, mobility, motor, touch, and ability to shoot it a bit, even though that aspect is a work in progress, made me wonder how good she'll be in two years. Kids in the Purple Aces program tend to get to their best when they leave and go onto the next level, and she had to see some of the most talented wings in the state on a nightly basis at practice last year and every game in FVA this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop']   Speaking of Purple Aces kids, Waldrop is another one that has a chance to be another crucial piece for Notre Dame after the 24s graduate. Right now, the 6-footer has to be physical and allow [player_tooltip player_id='209880' first='Gracie' last='Grzesk'] to play her natural position on the wing when she's on the floor. However, there are kids I wish played with Waldrop's physicality as upperclassmen, and Waldrop's only a freshman. She has good touch around the basket and fights for every inch of space on the floor, and I love it. Don't be surprised if she's a significant contributor and starts next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='209616' first='Norriah' last='Broomfield']   Although MSL has to rebound after losing two D1 kids last spring, Broomfield is one of the best bigs in the state when she gets two feet in the paint. She battles through contact and has been better at initiating contact and going through her defender. Even though I saw her team get blown out, you can't say Broomfield gives up. The entire second half, MSL was down 30, and she continued to make good passes and fight in the paint. That doesn't just show talent. It shows her character.   [player_tooltip player_id='338945' first='Makena' last='Christian']   It's easy to understand why Christian has offers from some of the top programs in the midwest. In high school, she plays as a 6-foot point-forward and makes basketball look as simple as checking your phone for a text message. Although her team didn't win when I saw them, the attention Christian draws from defenses shows the respect opposing coaches have for her. She can do whatever she wants on the floor and succeed. She shoots, rebounds, passes, defends, scores in the post, directs offense, switches defensively, and understands what every other player is doing on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='206578' first='Taylor' last='Wojcinski']   There's something about a kid's ability to do the same thing every time they step on the floor. With Wojcinski, you know what you're going to get. She'll out-muscle kids on the block for rebounds, knock down mid-range jumpers as she hops into her jumper, and carve out space in the post on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Wojcinski is mentally tough and understands what she needs to do to help her team be successful, and I know she'd win over a college coaching staff with her attitude, skill, effort, and confidence just by being around her for a small amount of time.

Before the winter break ends, I'd like to highlight some kids who stood out to me over the first chunk of the season. I'll be heading out to Watertown tomorrow, but before I go, I want to talk about some forwards tonight and guards tomorrow who have stood out at games I've attended.