Potential X-Factors This Postseason

Brady Peterson February 7, 2023 @ 11:14 AM

With the postseason coming in roughly two weeks, it's time we talk about some kids who can play a role in their team's success deep into the postseason that some may not expect. There are plenty of kids who fit this bill, but I have four I'd like to highlight today.   [player_tooltip player_id='533084' first='Vanessa' last='Johnson']   There are some uber-talented teams in D2 this season, but I think most would agree that Pewaukee and Notre Dame are on another level. In the first game of the Tritons and Pirates seasons, they matched up in Pewaukee. Although both teams have improved throughout the season, the revelation of that game is how much of an x-factor [player_tooltip player_id='533084' first='Vanessa' last='Johnson'] is on the defensive end. The play that changed that game was Johnson making a ridiculous defensive play that led to a layup to give the Pirates a lead they wouldn't relinquish. In a possible matchup with Notre Dame, she could be the player the Pirates need the most.   [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop']   The Notre Dame freshman has plenty of room to develop, and she's nowhere near the finished product as we speak, but she gives the Tritons much-needed lineup versatility. She isn't shy about being physical, battling for rebounds, and setting solid screens. However, her ability to do the little things as a five gives [player_tooltip player_id='209880' first='Gracie' last='Grzesk'] the ability to play as a four, which is her most natural position, and exploit defenses on the perimeter and in the paint. With Waldrop on the floor, smaller teams will have a hard time getting stops on the defensive end and have to settle for jumpers on the offensive side of the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='209594' first='Katelyn' last='Odem']   We know Homestead can score the ball with anyone, with the only exception being against Hortonville in their first game of the year. They've shown that their smaller lineups can create, get out and run, and score from every spot on the floor, and their guards are extremley scrappy. The Highlanders have an outside chance of getting to the Resch Center this season, and their defense will make or break them. I highlight Odem because she's the one who'll draw the most challenging matchup every night. If she can create chaos at the point of attack and stay out of foul trouble, don't be surprised if the Highlanders avenge their overtime loss to Germantown this March.   [player_tooltip player_id='448252' first='Danica' last='Gosz']   There aren't many kids who shoot the opposing team out of a game as [player_tooltip player_id='448252' first='Danica' last='Gosz'] can. The Warhawks will see plenty of 2-3 zones to prevent [player_tooltip player_id='155940' first='KK' last='Arnold'] from doing whatever she wants offensively, which opens the door for Gosz to excel. Arnold will find her within the offense, and she could have a few big games this postseason to help the Warhawks advance.

With the postseason coming in roughly two weeks, it's time we talk about some kids who can play a role in their team's success deep into the postseason that some may not expect. There are plenty of kids who fit this bill, but I have four I'd like to highlight today.