One Standout From Each Division at the State Tournament
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I let the dust settle before starting up some post-state tournament content, but I’d like to start by talking about one standout in each division. Some kids I’ll highlight are already household names, and some aren’t, but let’s get the…
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Continue ReadingI let the dust settle before starting up some post-state tournament content, but I’d like to start by talking about one standout in each division. Some kids I’ll highlight are already household names, and some aren’t, but let’s get the state tournament content started.
D5: Aubrey Dorn
The McDonell post player was one of the surprises over the three days at state. Dorn is an athletic kid with good post moves she can consistently get to over her left shoulder. I loved how well she used her athleticism to get to the rim and run the floor when the Macks got into transition. I’d expect the Macks to return to state because Dorn is that talented and makes her team better.
D4: Aubrey Leonard Aubrey Leonard 5'8" | PG Laconia | 2025 State WI
Laconia and Aquinas had loads of talent, and Leonard wouldn’t be the first name fans at the state tournament would be drawn towards, but she made the difference in the state title game. Leonard looked directly at a traditional state power and had the best 36 minutes I’ve seen her play. The sophomore capped off the state title run with 15 points and five assists for the Spartans, drew seven Aquinas fouls and made the Blugolds pay by making eight of her ten free throws.
D3: Julia Steger
I’ll be honest, I didn’t think Kewaskum’s backcourt could handle the pressure that MAS’ guards put on opposing ball handlers, but Julia Steger was the most consistent guard on the floor in the Division 3 State Title game. Steger finished with a 23-point and ten-rebound double-double. Steger controlled that game from start to finish and looked like the calmest person in the gym.
D2: Teagan Mallegni Teagan Mallegni 6'1" | SF McFarland | 2024 State WI
I attended 125 high school games this season in four states, saw teams from five states, and Teagan Mallegni Teagan Mallegni 6'1" | SF McFarland | 2024 State WI ‘s 23-point, ten-assist, and nine-rebound performance in the State Semifinals against Notre Dame was the best individual performance I’d seen all year, and it wasn’t close. Mallegni dominated the game from start to finish, and against a team who hand answers for everyone they saw this season and dominated one of the best teams in Illinois, they had nothing for the talented wing from McFarland. I couldn’t be happier that the entire state got to see how good she was at the Resch Center. That performance against that Notre Dame team was special.
D1: Maya Kovacic Maya Kovacic 5'8" | CG Brookfield East | 2026 State WI
There was an abundance of talent on all the teams that made the state tournament, but new eyes looked at the Brookfield East freshman. Those who’ve seen her play, all know how talented she is, but there was a moment when I could feel the crowd realize how good she is. After Germantown went to playing man-to-man late, the Warhawks’ best player guarded Kovacic, and when the Spartans were down four late, she got the ball with space on the right wing. What Kovacic did after that felt like her making a name for herself. Kovacic sized up her defender and hit a contested stepback 3-pointer to cut the Warhawks’ lead to one, and the Spartans eventually won. She’s a household name now.