Class of 2027 Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past few days, we've highlighted some under-the-radar kids to watch this season. Today, I want to discuss the rising sophomore class and highlight a few kids who could take the next step in their development and become a lengthier topic on a team's scouting report.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751271' first='Madilyn' last='Davel']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing next to Paris Opelt in Davel's first season may have been the best thing for her. Davel got to slot in as a ball-handler with the best player in the Cloverbelt-East the past two years. Davel got to go through her trials and tribulations without having to be Neillsville's focal point offensively as a 14-year-old. I'm sure she grew in confidence throughout the season and played one of her better games in their sectional semifinal game against Cuba City, where she did a little of everything. Davel can score, create off the dribble, and has the toughness to dig in and rebound, even though she's 5'7. Davel could be the next Conference POY-type kid at Neillsville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879081' first='Morgan' last='Jones']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New London forward is a versatile four or five at the high school level. Jones is a 6'0 kid who can play inside and out. Her ability to play with physicality under the basket and withstand other posts using physicality is a plus at any level, but stepping out on the offensive end and knocking down shots is icing on the cake. As she gets used to the varsity level, she'll be a valuable piece for the Bulldogs in the Bay Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751280' first='Rihanna' last='Barker']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, Barker was one of my favorite kids to watch at the PGH Freshman Showcase. Last season, Barker was part of a Bradford team that surprised me by nearly making a sectional title game, only losing in overtime to Franklin. Barker has a motor that few others have. She seems to find her way to every loose ball or 50/50 ball. That kind of thing adds up throughout a game. For the Red Devils, it helped them be one of the top teams in the Southeast Conference again, and her performances landed her on the second-team all-conference for a reason. Opposing coaches respected her immediately.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='882114' first='Ariell' last='Allen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believe Allen is in line for a breakout season this season or next season. The MAS guard is the most talented kid on their roster and has the highest skill level of anyone in that group. She's more physical than anyone else in their backcourt, and Allen also gets downhill and knocks down perimeter shots. She's the most versatile offensive threat, and with some of the seniors they lost last season, the Novas may lean on Allen even more in her sophomore season. Allen also has as much poise as anyone in that 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->