Champions Challenge: Younger Talent That Impressed
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I didn’t watch many of the younger age levels this past weekend in Appleton, but I want to highlight some of the younger kids who stood out at games I watched in passing last weekend. Ava Vogler Ava Vogler 5'7"…
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Continue ReadingI didn’t watch many of the younger age levels this past weekend in Appleton, but I want to highlight some of the younger kids who stood out at games I watched in passing last weekend.
Each time I sit down and watch Vogler, I leave impressed by how well she scores the ball. She scores in multiple ways and is the furthest thing from one-dimensional of a scorer around. She isn’t the most physically intimidating kid you’ll find, but she attacks the rim as well as anyone at her age level. I don’t know of many guards in the state who finish as well in traffic as Vogler does, and she pairs that with a consistent perimeter jumper.
Taylor Henderson Taylor Henderson 5'7" | PG Plainfield North | 2027 IL
I had never seen Henderson before, but I loved how she played. She has an elite motor and went after every loose ball. Her effort stood out in the first few possessions she played. I can imagine that whoever her coaches are at the high school level must love having her on their team because I’m sure she always plays like that. Her energy pushes everyone around her. Henderson also made a handful of threes in the game I saw, which only made her look like a more complete two-way guard.
The 6’0 forward from New London has the size that can overwhelm some teams at her age level, and she forced her will on a few games. Jones is a kid who can play inside and out on the offensive end. She can shoot it well enough to make defenses respect her on the perimeter and power through traffic around the rim to score in the paint. The New London native is a multi-faceted post, which you don’t often find in kids as young as Jones, but she’s got the talent to become a highly productive player.
Yanni Smith Yanni Smith 5'7" | PG Whitney Young | 2028 IL
Watching Smith play is a wild experience. There is an undeniable “coolness” to what she does, and I attribute that to her poise. Smith never seems fazed and has a counter to anything defenses throw at her. Smith may not be a 6-0 guard that others in the Midwest are, but she plays that size on the floor. The guard is physical, shields the ball with her body, and will initiate contact. You can tell she has a high basketball IQ by how she does the little things. The way she finishes around size at the basket also displays her IQ. She plays like a veteran and hasn’t gotten to high school yet.