Who Are Some of the Most Electric Wings in Wisconsin?

Brady Peterson December 18, 2023 @ 10:05 AM

After watching hundreds of kids play in high school or AAU in some way, shape, or form, I want to talk about some of the most dynamic kids you'll see that you may not have heard about yet. That may be because they don't play AAU, are young, or any other reasons. I'll talk about guards first, then close out with wings.   [player_tooltip player_id='767277' first='Olivia' last='Neis']   A lot of credit for Oregon's success over the past few years has gone to [player_tooltip player_id='209909' first='Samantha' last='Schmitt'], and with good reason. However, I feel Neis gives the Panthers an identity that nobody else in their program can. If I had to give two words that describe her best, it'd be "defensive playmaker." No matter where or who she's guarding, she brings energy to that end of the floor. She takes away airspace, she's handsy, makes people uncomfortable, and always looks to force turnovers. I'm unsure if she wants to play at the next level, but if she does, she'll find her way onto the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='533085' first='Bella' last='Klages']   No matter what problem a team Klages plays on has, throwing [player_tooltip player_id='533085' first='Bella' last='Klages'] at the problem usually solves it. She's about 5-10 and does an excellent job playing passing lanes, staying in front of guards, playing at the top of Hartford's full-court press, knocking down shots, is strong attacking the basket, and can play through contact. From watching Hartford's game against Homestead, I feel Klages might be the most crucial kid to the Orioles' success.   Frankie McLain   The St. Joseph Catholic Academy wing competes at a high level whenever she steps on the floor. That's the only way you earn a 20-rebound game. She's more skilled than she's probably given credit for, but I believe she has the talent to blow up over the next 12 months. She's improved since I first saw her in March, and each time I saw her after, it felt like she kept improving. I'm unsure what her ceiling is, but anyone who watches her will appreciate her competitiveness and relentlessness.    [player_tooltip player_id='751285' first='Taressa' last='Hennes']   Hennes became one of the best athletes in basketball this season by making her debut. There may not be a kid in her half of the state who can alter games. There's plenty of skill development for her over the next four years, but what she can physically do is already setting her apart from her peers. As she develops over the years, we could be talking about one of the best kids in the 2027 class in the Midwest, depending on how everything pans out. You see flashes from her at times. You can see what she can be. It'll be down to the work she puts in.

After watching hundreds of kids play in high school or AAU in some way, shape, or form, I want to talk about some of the most dynamic kids you'll see that you may not have heard about yet. That may be because they don't play AAU, are young, or any other reasons. I'll talk about guards first, then close out with wings.