Who Could See an Uptick in Production in 23-24?

I talked about some players that could see increased roles. Today, I want to highlight some teams that could see an uptick in performance this season.

Audrey Meudt Audrey Meudt 5'8" | CG Waunakee | 2026 State WI

The Waunakee guard was one of few freshmen to earn a starting role in the Madison area over the past few years. I thought she did a solid job of improving throughout the season and figuring out ways to help her team win close games. She wasn’t scared of the moment when it came and proved that she’s a reliable option for Waunakee late in games. Meudt gained experience throughout the season that will pay dividends as the Warriors look to make a run.

Jenna Welsch Jenna Welsch 5'10" | SF Catholic Memorial | 2025 State WI

Hopefully, Welsch will be able to play her first season without an injury issues. The Catholic Memorial wing has seen plenty of change in the coaching and personnel departments over the past two seasons, and it looks nothing like it did when she stepped foot on campus. However, she’s managed to be a significant figure in the Crusader lineup when she’s been healthy. She was a prominent figure in competitive games with Arrowhead in the past. She was also a significant figure in a controversial Crusader home win against Waukesha West a few years ago. Welsch is a two-way kid who plays with a high motor and makes winning plays on each end of the floor. Regardless of where she plays, wins have seemed to follow.

Kaia Waldrop

I talked about Waldrop last year and how she provided some lineup versatility for Notre Dame, and that still holds, just with different personnel. Waldrop is a physical 6-0 post who loves to use her power under the basket to create space and grab offensive rebounds. She gives them an option of playing Gracie Grzesk Gracie Grzesk 6'0" | SF Green Bay Notre Dame | 2024 State WI at the four and allowing her to operate on the perimeter and not have to be the one that takes the physical challenge for 36 minutes. Over the next few years, I wouldn’t be shocked if Waldrop became one of the best post players in Northeast Wisconsin.

Bentley Drout Bentley Drout 5'4" | PG Kimberly | 2025 State WI

I see what Kimberly likes to do offensively, and Drout could do an excellent job as the creative force within their offense. The Papermakers may have the most wing talent in the state, and Drout may be the best kid on their roster to draw defenders and get the ball to her teammates in space. Drout has a low center of gravity and has more strength than people may give her credit for because she’s a 5-3 guard. Once she turns the corner, she’s gone, and assuming teams want to defend the rim first, they’ll collapse, opening opportunities for kickouts to kids like Katelyn McGinnis Katelyn McGinnis 5'10" | SG Kimberly | 2025 State WI , Ava Van Vonderen Ava Van Vonderen 5'11" | SG Kimberly | 2027 WI , Haylie Dulas Haylie Dulas 5'11" | SF Kimberly | 2027 WI , and Emily Urban Emily Urban 5'5" | CG Kimberly | 2026 State WI , among others.