Class of 2025: My Must Watch Players This Season
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Yesterday, I discussed some players you should watch because they’re in store for prominent seasons. Today, I want to talk about players I have as players I have to watch, and I’ll explain why for each player. It could be…
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Continue ReadingYesterday, I discussed some players you should watch because they’re in store for prominent seasons. Today, I want to talk about players I have as players I have to watch, and I’ll explain why for each player. It could be because they could have prominent seasons, check in on their development, role with their high school team, or another reason. Regardless, I’ll make it known.
Natalie Mueller Natalie Mueller 5'6" | SG Homestead | 2025 State WI
I feel like I have a grasp on what Mueller is. She’s always been a lethal perimeter shooter and has quietly been one of the more pesky defenders in her class. However, with her, I’ve felt there’s another level in her somewhere. I’m not sure how much she’ll be attacking the rim based on the personnel at Homestead being kids who love to attack the basket, even as guards. However, I’ve always felt Mueller is a good enough creator to do some intriguing stuff, punishing recovering defenses, especially when they close out hard to take away her shot. I understand why I may not see that much because she’s that much of a floor-spacer, but every time I watch Homestead, Mueller is the kid I’m most interested in observing on the offensive end.
Kennedy Retherford Kennedy Retherford 5'8" | SG Pewaukee Highschool | 2025 State WI
The most challenging spot to find playing time is in Pewaukee’s backcourt, and Retherford is a kid I’d love to see in that backcourt in their four or five-guard lineups. The Pirates have around eight or nine kids that would make every other school’s rotation, but because there’s so much talent, not everyone plays as much as their talent suggests. For Retherford, I’ve always been curious as to what her role looks like this season. I thought she did an excellent job doing the little things, like crashing the glass, driving to kick, and generating paint touches off the dribble. With the graduation of a starting guard, Retherford may be the one who takes a majority of those minutes.
The Kettle Moraine backcourt is a spot I’ll have eyes on early because there’s some uncertainty there with the graduation of an all-state performer and two-time state champion. Bond was the player called upon to take over as the main lead guard off the bench for most of the season and trusted in some big spots at the state tournament. What makes me the most curious about her will be how she handles a more prominent role in the Laser offense, if she earns it, and how effective an offense she could lead.
Bentley Drout Bentley Drout 5'4" | PG Kimberly | 2025 State WI
For what Kimberly does, I’ve felt that Drout has a way of earning playing time as the main force to drive and create. From what I remember, the Papermakers loved to get paint touches to put pressure on the rim or draw in defenses to kick to open shooters. Last season, they had a fair bit of talent and were by no means pushovers in the FVA, but that talent level rose a few notches this season in the program with internal growth and newcomers. I’m curious about how the Papermakers utilize their lead guards and if Drout earns a more prominent role this season. Her ability to get by initial defenders with her first-step burst and aggressiveness makes me believe she could be a significant contributor this season.