Class of 2026 Summer Recap: Players to Watch This Season
Now, on our class reviews from this past summer, we’re looking at the rising sophomores. The sophomores seem to be one of the most talented groups in Wisconsin, so there are plenty of kids to talk about today. I’ll talk…
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Continue ReadingNow, on our class reviews from this past summer, we’re looking at the rising sophomores. The sophomores seem to be one of the most talented groups in Wisconsin, so there are plenty of kids to talk about today. I’ll talk about stock risers, and then, to close out the day, we’ll talk about kids to watch over the next year.
Presly Samz
Arrowhead has its fair share of guards and could run into the Pewaukee issue of having too many good ones to play. However, Samz will be on the floor more often than not. She may not stand out like other guards in her class for her scoring ability, electricity in transition, all-state level defense, or drawing oohs and ahhs from the crowd. What she does well is win games. Wherever she’s played, constant success has followed, and some may argue it’s because of the talent she’s played with, which is fair, but I’d argue she makes everyone around her better. Samz isn’t someone who makes many mistakes on the floor, gets the ball to where it needs to be on time, can create off the dribble, makes big shots late in games, and you can tell whenever she has the ball her teammates, coaches, teammates parents, fans, and everyone else knows she’s making a play. Arrowhead will win games because they can let Samz operate with the ball in her hands late in games against good teams.
Brooklyn Love
We’ve talked about how slow Dominican played last season, but from Fall League information, that seems to be a thing of the past, and Love could break out this season. She has the talent to score in bunches and take games over. You won’t find a quicker guard in Wisconsin in her class, and once defensive units start backing off to try and keep her out of the paint, she’s a good enough shooter to hurt defenses. If the Knights keep up the pace literally and metaphorically, they’ll be one of the most challenging teams to play against, especially if you aren’t in game shape.
Jasmin Heuer
Players and families in 2026 and 2025 classes who played for their middle school program have at least an idea of who Jasmin Heuer is, and most of them have spoken volumes about her talent. Heuer and her Fall Creek played up all the time against big schools, and she’d physically overpower them. Heuer’s still doing that at the high school level. Heuer has a motor that never stops, and she’s willing to battle with some of the best kids in the region, even if they’re four inches taller than her. Sure, there are things she can work on, but she has the tools to dominate D4 as she gets older, make the Crickets a team we expect to see in Sectionals, and a team who could challenge for conference titles the next three seasons.
Sage Miskel
From year one to year two, Miskel looks more physical and athletic. I loved how she played in Whitefish Bay’s Fall League out in Pewaukee, and now, with the addition of all the smaller guards, she won’t have to do all of the creating for the Blue Dukes. She’s always been a creative force, but now she’s looked more aggressive getting to the rim and like a kid who could lead their team in scoring and help them compete at a high level. I’ve always liked her ability to create, but I believe she could take a step forward this season.
Kylie Butler
I talked about Heuer earlier, and all the same points about small school stuff still stand. However, Butler’s ability to pass the ball and throw some of the best outlet passes in Wisconsin makes her one of the most dangerous players in small-school basketball the second she touches the ball. She’s crafty around the basket, has above-average footwork, and makes multiple perimeter shots per game. I haven’t seen her much, so I’ll likely be at some Darlington games this season.
Bella Klages
Something felt off with Hartford last season, and I never knew what the disconnect was, but they were better than they showed last season, and with the newcomers coming in, they’re even more talented. Klages is a kid who connects everything in my eyes. She’s a 5-11 wing who can move her feet and knock down shots. Her switchability gives the Orioles options on the defensive end, and her shooting provides spacing for other kids who want to get to the basket. If there’s buy-in within that program, they’ll be one of the five or six best in the state because they have kids like Klages.