WIAA/WBCA Summer Slam: Thursday Standouts

Brady Peterson June 15, 2024 @ 08:44 AM

First of all, I want to reiterate what I tweeted last night. The WIAA, WBCA, and Champions Center did an outstanding job with Summer Slam this weekend. It was top-class all around, and there was nothing but rave reviews from the coaches section. Any state not taking advantage of the scholastic-live period is doing their student-athletes a disservice. I've had plenty of disagreements with decisions from the WIAA, but I can't speak highly enough of this event. Now, I'd like to talk about some players that caught my eye this past weekend, so let's get to that.   [player_tooltip player_id='509706' first='La'Nasia' last='Dubois']   The tools for Dubois to be a scholarship kid are there. She's quick as a hiccup, creates off the dribble, can make contested shots, and has a composure to her game with the ball in her hands. Dubois got hurt early in the last Beloit Memorial game but played well over those two days. I know she has significant interest from reputable JUCOs in the region, and those coaches believe that she could be a D1/D2 level kid after a year or two in their program. If you step back and watch her play, you can see why they think that.   Olivia Passehl   Guards that play scrappy make teams better, and that's what Passehl is at her core. She's an athletic kid who excels in Aquinas' frantic defense that looks to generate steals and easy offense. I loved how much chaos she created on the defensive end of the floor, and I thought her jumper was better than she showed in her first season as a Blugold. Her ability to be a kid who can cover ground when pressing and get back before teams can get easy baskets will help Aquinas in games that matter in Passehl's time there. I like how she plays whenever she's on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='338950' first='Lillian' last='Merow']   You won't see someone as invested in her teammate's success as [player_tooltip player_id='338950' first='Lillian' last='Merow']. Sometimes, it feels like she wants to see her teammates do well more than she wants to excel individually. She's a team-first kind of kid playing at a high school that has improved each year she's been there but hasn't been a threat to get out of the first weekend yet. As elite of a culture kid as she is, Merow is probably the most complete post-player I've seen in Wisconsin in my three years around the game. Merow is a physical 6'2 kid who can finish with either hand around the basket, constantly finds a position to post up, and runs the floor well for a post. No matter where she ends up, that coaching staff will love Merow after having her for one practice.   [player_tooltip player_id='842209' first='Aspen' last='Abel']   I've raved about Abel all spring, and it's because she keeps playing well. Last summer, I thought of her as a small school kid at the next level, but once I saw her back on the floor this spring, it was clear that Abel had improved to the point where she would be a scholarship kid, no question about it. Being a 5'11 wing who can initiate the offense, create some stuff off the dribble, make perimeter shots, and still be a kid who can rebound in bulk are all traits that coaches at the next level will adore. Abel gives her team value in every aspect of the game, and her versatility has shined all spring with [program_tooltip program_id='712778' first='Purple' last='Aces'] and now with Notre Dame at the scholastic viewing period.

First of all, I want to reiterate what I tweeted last night. The WIAA, WBCA, and Champions Center did an outstanding job with Summer Slam this weekend. It was top-class all around, and there was nothing but rave reviews from the coaches section. Any state not taking advantage of the scholastic-live period is doing their student-athletes a disservice. I've had plenty of disagreements with decisions from the WIAA, but I can't speak highly enough of this event. Now, I'd like to talk about some players that caught my eye this past weekend, so let's get to that.