Kids to Watch Following the Legacy Region Kick Off

Brady Peterson April 12, 2023 @ 04:58 PM

There are a few other players who I'd like to highlight that I saw over the two days I spent at Center Court. After today, the first viewing period is closing in, and I'll take the week to name a few players around the state who I think coaches should take a look at whichever event the kids are at.   [player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois']   One of the games I enjoyed the most this season, over the high school year, was West De Pere at New London. Although Francois got into some early foul trouble, her importance to the Phantoms was clear. They played with a few off-ball guards, and UW-Lacrosse commit, [player_tooltip player_id='329540' first='Katie' last='Waukau'] was the shooter, and Francois was the kid who could get to the rim against any defense. Her speed, power, and first step threaten any defensive setup man or zone, and watching her find a way to the basket is something to behold.   [player_tooltip player_id='521878' first='Noelle' last='Anthon']   There is a real chance that Anthon is the breakout star out of our state of Wisconsin this AAU season. Anthon is a 6-2 forward who can move her feet, finish around the basket, and finds herself in good positions around the rim, most trips down the floor. Not saying she didn't have good guards at Oconomowoc with her, but the guards she has with her Impact will reward her for her effort each time down the floor.   Riley Ward   The Whitnall product had a solid first high school season and standout performance to knock out No. 3 seed New Berlin West in the Regional Semifinal round. I love her ability to get to the rim and her level of consistency on the offensive end of the floor for her age. Her length also causes problems defensively because she's a 5-8 or 5-9 guard with the reach to help jump passing lanes and contains ball handlers. Overall she's had an excellent past 12 months, and she has a chance to take a more prominent role this season after some departures from last year's group.   [player_tooltip player_id='509699' first='Graycin' last='Phillips']   What I love about watching Phillips is that every time I see her play, she's better than the last time I saw her play. Last summer, when I first saw her, she was a raw 5-11 or 6-0 forward who played on the block and occasionally took jumpers. Now she's a wing that can attack off the dribble, has confidence shooting from range, and has expanded her game over the past 12 months. The work she puts in on her own is evident, and it's a trend that I don't see changing. She's one of the most improved kids I've seen this summer.

There are a few other players who I'd like to highlight that I saw over the two days I spent at Center Court. After today, the first viewing period is closing in, and I'll take the week to name a few players around the state who I think coaches should take a look at whichever event the kids are at.