Small-School Kids Ready to Produce in 2024-25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're shifting our attention to some of the smaller schools around the state. We're highlighting some players from smaller programs that could have highly productive seasons this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135350' first='Kylee' last='Venner']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The De Soto wing has a ridiculous motor. Venner averaged a 20-point, ten-rebound double-double in her first high school season for the Pirates and played with one of the highest usage rates around the state. Venner was everywhere last year and got her hands on the ball whenever she wanted. We'll see how she develops over the next three seasons, but doing what she did in her first season was surprising. Players with that kind of motor are fun to watch on top of all that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portia Segerstrom</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hard-nosed guards improve teams, and that's what Segerstrom does. She's not afraid to dig in, battle around the basket for loose balls, and generate live-ball turnovers. She's a solid creator and was a willing passer. The ball never seemed to stick with her. I thought she turned the ball over a little more than she probably would've liked, but as she matures, that number will naturally go down with more experience. Segerstrom is also a solid shooter and was a player that defenses had to account for on rotations or risk her burning them from the three-point line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892452' first='Mia' last='Haberkorn']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Deerfield forward is a talented multi-sport kid, but her ability on the basketball court is intriguing. Anytime I find a post with a solid touch around the basket, it's worth taking their name down. Haberkorn does a solid rebounding her area and does a solid job of being physical while boxing out. She's also had games where she's controlled all the action around the basket. Schools are always looking for posts at the next level, and there are signs that she could be a kid that smaller schools are keeping track of in a few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1219515' first='Avery' last='Richard']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not many kids at the high school level are like Richard. The Platteville guard is an excellent creator and has games with fewer points than assists if that tells you anything about her game. Richard led the Hillmen in scoring in her first high school season, but her ability to create will catch your eye if you see her play. She's also relentless on both ends of the floor. The Platteville native finds ways to get the ball in her hands, whether off a steal or making herself available to kids who rebound the ball and push the ball up the floor. Richard makes life easier for her teammates, which is what you want in a lead guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->