Prospects to Watch in Appleton
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My favorite PGH event of the year is the Champions Challenge. Usually, a significant portion of the independent programs from Wisconsin shows up for each year along with some talented out-of-state programs, which means plenty of talent walks into the…
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Continue ReadingMy favorite PGH event of the year is the Champions Challenge. Usually, a significant portion of the independent programs from Wisconsin shows up for each year along with some talented out-of-state programs, which means plenty of talent walks into the doors of the Champions Center the first weekend of May. Today, I’ll talk about a few kids that, as far as I know, will be at the event that could be worth watching for a game.
Lillie Johnson Lillie Johnson 6'0" | PF Gladstone | 2026 State MI
Coming down from U.P., Johnson is a talented 6-0 wing who came into her own last summer. Johnson can do a little of everything on the offensive end of the floor. She loves to get downhill and does an excellent rebounding on the offensive end of the floor. She has a good motor and won’t settle for open jumpers when she can get to floaters or layups around the rim. The Upper Peninsula is as remote as it gets in the Midwest, meaning we don’t see kids from there excel as much as Johnson has often, but that’s another reason why I like the Champions Challenge.
I was impressed with Abel’s ability to create and do different things off the dribble in New Berlin at the Region Kick-Off. She’s always been a kid who’s rebounded well and shown she can make some perimeter shots. However, if her ability to create off the dribble is something that she can consistently do, then that changes her outlook completely. She showed she could do it in early April. This weekend, I’m interested in seeing her continue to build on that success.
Melia Lemorande Melia Lemorande 6'0" | SF Bay Port | 2026 State WI
A year ago at this event, I couldn’t stop talking about how impressive Lemorande was at the Champions Challenge. After that, she continued to impress through the summer before suffering a knee injury. I’m not 100% sure of this, but the goal was for Lemorande to return to game action this weekend. If that does happen, seeing her on the floor for the first time since last July, even in limited minutes, is well worth the trip to any floor her team plays on.
Lilly Meulemans Lilly Meulemans 5'8" | PG Appleton East | 2025 State WI
I’ve been high on that talent that Meulemans has for a while. She’s arguably the most athletic lead guard in her class, and when she’s on it, she’s as productive as 99% of the guards in her class. She’s a playmaker on both ends of the floor. There are things few other kids I’ve seen from Wisconsin can physically do. Her straight-line speed, change of direction, and reflexes make her one of the most entertaining guards to watch in terms of her instincts. Meulemans also has a creative mind. That imagination can lead to some miscues, but once you see some of the plays she makes that few others could, you understand why letting her play freely gets the best version of her out.