Kids With Big Seasons in Store in 2023-24
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Yesterday, I talked about some unknown kids that I admired through last season. Today, we’ll talk about some kids you may know but could have big seasons in store in 2023-24. Lillian Merow Lillian Merow 6'2" | C Port Washington…
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Continue ReadingYesterday, I talked about some unknown kids that I admired through last season. Today, we’ll talk about some kids you may know but could have big seasons in store in 2023-24.
Lillian Merow Lillian Merow 6'2" | C Port Washington | 2025 State WI
I think Merow’s underrated as a post-player by the state at large. For starters, there aren’t other posts in Wisconsin as good at finishing with both hands around the basket. I’ve always admired Merow’s work rate before she gets the ball, so she can get deep position and score around the rim. Her role for Port Washington is beyond essential. The way she’s been the integral figure for a Port Washington program building from the ground up has been something to behold. On top of that pressure on her, she’s always been an outstanding teammate, a positive presence on the floor even when things don’t go well, and been productive in her minutes on the court. If she were with a traditional power, we would view her differently.
Ady Ketterhagen Ady Ketterhagen 5'9" | PG Oostburg | 2026 State WI
I thought of Ady Ketterhagen Ady Ketterhagen 5'9" | PG Oostburg | 2026 State WI highly heading into her first season at Oostburg, and the more I watched her with her Dutch team and Playmakers/Thrive , the more I liked about her. Ady has the physicality that will overwhelm most lead guards in the region, is a better athlete than most lead guards, and is a high 30s, three-point shooter. There isn’t much she can’t do. Adding to her scoring and shooting, she has some of the best vision of anyone in her class. I wouldn’t be shocked if her ability to dominate on the offensive end leads the Dutch to new heights.
Natalie Backhaus Natalie Backhaus 6'0" | PF Wisconsin Dells | 2026 State WI
The Wisconsin Dells forward isn’t what you’d traditionally view as a scholarship-level frontcourt player, but she is. Backhaus isn’t an elite athlete or uber-dominant post-scorer, but the stuff she does outside of that makes her a difficult player to defend. She may not back her opponents down under the rim but likes to shoot a little six-foot turnaround jumper, pass to cutters through traffic, kick-start transition offense with aggressive outlet passes, and can play as an offensive hub at the high post. There will be games where she purely dominates with her offensive prowess.
Haddie Showen Haddie Showen 5'9" | PG Westfield | 2025 State WI
Westfield got unlucky last season, getting placed in one of the toughest sectionals in any division in Wisconsin. However, Showen will likely be the driving piece of one of the top D4 backcourts in Wisconsin. She’s one of the more athletic kids in the class, and with her size at 5-9 or 5-10, there aren’t many kids in D4 who you can reasonably expect to slow her down, literally and figuratively. Showen has experience playing in big high school games and won’t shy away from big moments. She can shoot it at a high level, make free throws to close games out and take advantage of transition opportunities after defensive rebounds. I like the Pioneers’ potential heading into the 2023-24 season.