Class of 2024: Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the new 2024 rankings updated today, I want to highlight a few stock risers in the updated rankings. I believe some kids played extremely impressive all season and deserve their recognition going into the AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='388287' first='Alayna' last='West']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'd be hard-pressed to find a more athletic wing in this class, and West did everything she could to take her Lancer team as far as possible. West was near the top of the state in scoring and rebounding all year and was a significant figure in the Lancers' late-season win over Sun Prairie West at home. Her ability to play through pressure and find ways to make plays as the kid that defenses looked to limit is mind-boggling. She'll pop this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520310' first='Ella' last='Carstensen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I think of kids who excel at doing a little bit of everything, Carstensen is one of the first players that comes to mind. The 5-foot-11 wing is a solid two-way player that coaches can feel comfortable putting in almost any situation. She can defend multiple positions, attack off the dribble, make good passes, shoot from the perimeter, and make things happen off the dribble for herself and her teammates. Carstensen is a solid all-around kid who can play countless roles and improve her team by being on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209909' first='Samantha' last='Schmitt']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmitt has been one of my favorite floor generals to watch over the last few years because of how her teammates respond to her. She's always seemed to get her teammates to trust her, and what she did this year that has taken her to another level is find more consistency shooting the ball. Her jumper has continually improved over the last 12 months, and it was something I noticed a few times last July, but it's stood the test of a season. The more I see her play, the more she seems to improve and become a more well-rounded player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444782' first='Payton' last='Grenzer']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love how well Grenzer finishes around the rim. The 6-foot-2 post player does an excellent job at doing her work early and shooting over her shoulder on the catch. The best post players barely need to get into a bag of tricks at the high school level because they seal so well, and Grenzer is in that class of post player. Watching her run the floor and get under the basket to make herself available for a quick entry pass is fun to watch her do routinely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->