Notes From Saturday at the Cheesehead Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, I spent time at Center Court for the Cheesehead Challenge. This year saw most of the top independent programs in the state show up, and there were a handful of kids who played well that I'd like to discuss in some depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448303' first='Grace' last='Zortman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of all the Chapman kids I've seen over the last two AAU seasons, Zortman surprises me from time to time. After seeing most of these kids on numerous occasions, that's rare. Like most undersized guards on Chapman's roster, Zortman is a scrappy kid that creates extra possessions whenever possible. However, when I watched her last Summer up in Appleton, she and [player_tooltip player_id='448257' first='Makenzie' last='Luehring'] shot the lights out and helped her then-15U team score 85+ points. This weekend, she scored six straight points off three consecutive steals. Zortman can be as productive as anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209594' first='Katelyn' last='Odem']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zortman's Chapman, and Homestead, teammate [player_tooltip player_id='209594' first='Katelyn' last='Odem'] also had a stellar Saturday. At this event a year ago, I thought she flipped the switch offensively, and from what I saw this past weekend, she did it again. Her aggression usually shows itself on the defensive end, but every so often, she looks like a different kid offensively. Odem doesn't shy away from contact and is willing to draw a foul. I also think, sneakily, her shot has gotten better over the past year or so, and her high school numbers may not show it, but I think she's a more than capable shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207069' first='Ally' last='Timm']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every time I see Timm, the DSHA wing continues to build on her excellent AAU season. You won't find many kids with her size, length, athleticism, and knack for putting the ball in the basket. I remember watching her in her sophomore season at Catholic Memorial, and everything she did felt forced and rushed, but you could see her talent. As far as this AAU season for kids from Wisconsin, Timm is probably the most improved player from a year ago, and it's all because she's doing the little things better. She's not taking tough fadeaway jumpers as much. Timm's creating space for her 3-pointers off an aggressive jab-step and taking what the defense gives her. I'm not sure what situation she's in recruiting-wise, but whoever gets her is getting a gem that's getting better rapidly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='528122' first='Melena' last='Glysch']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What makes the Muskego forward unique is her physicality and willingness to use that to her advantage under the rim. Visibly, she's more forceful than her peers, but she's developing a shooting touch that could make her a real issue for defenses. Glysch has improved in shooting the ball from when I first saw her at Muskego this past season, and she's confident enough to keep taking open looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->