Impact Players: Upperclassmen Prospects in Pivotal Roles

As the season kicks off, a talented group of juniors and seniors, already in pivotal roles for their teams, are set to make an even bigger impact this year. A few of these standout players have even competed on the state championship stage, gaining invaluable high-pressure experience. Now, with expanded responsibilities and heightened expectations, they're ready to lead their teams to new heights this season.    Zortman is an exceptional defender. She is both quick and smart, and she never misses a beat on the court. In fact, she is involved in every single play, contributing to numerous hustle plays and points. On defense, she applies full-court pressure and remains active on offense, working off the ball by cutting, screening, and occasionally posting up. She is capable of driving to the basket from the perimeter, using her quick first step to beat her defender. Zortman displays proper close-out techniques and effectively boxes out on shots. She also crashes the boards on the offensive end, often leading to an extra possession. With impressive shooting form, Zortman can successfully hit the three, but she primarily scores through drives, cuts, and by finding openings on the court. Last year, while playing for Homestead, she averaged 12.4 points per game, shooting 50% from the field. It should be an exciting season for Zortman as she will be alongside her senior teammates in their pursuit of a state championship.     Trimble is strong and powerful, and she isn't afraid to use her body to create space. With a high basketball IQ, she excels at using her body to effectively pin off defenders during pick-and-roll situations. Last season, she averaged 7.7 rebounds per game, demonstrating her skill, particularly on the offensive boards, where she often kicks the ball out to open teammates or delivers quick put-backs. Trimble is also excellent at making quick moves to the basket and finishes at the rim with control. Overall, she is a formidable presence on the court. During her time with Menomonee Falls last season, Trimble averaged 13 points per game while shooting 37% from the field. She had an impressive game-high of 31 points in a victory against Sussex Hamilton. Trimble is sure to be an exciting player to watch in her senior year.     Engel has been a key player on a 2x state-winning team at Laconia, performing exceptionally well in her role, averaging 8.1 points per game last season. With a beautiful shooting stroke, she shot 36% from three-point range last season. Engel shows great patience, waiting for the right shot opportunity to open up, and consistently delivers in clutch moments. She has impressive range and is a dynamic presence on the court. When she starts heating up, you can count on her making shots all game long. Engel hustles and takes excellent care of the basketball which explains her significant contributions to the state-winning team. I'm looking forward to seeing how her game has developed in her senior year.       [player_tooltip player_id='766619' first='Joy' last='Krull'] truly impressed me as a fundamentally sound player and a key defender, often taking on the opposing team's top scorers. She reached the state championship with Xavier, which challenged her to guard some of the best players in the state. Tenacious on defense, she averages a couple of steals per game for her team. Krull also has a strong rip-and-go drive to the basket, and I believe we'll see her attacking the rim more frequently this coming season. She has proven to be a threat from beyond the arc as well, capable of hitting important shots when needed. Krull plays with a controlled style and is a valuable asset to her well-rounded team, which features multiple scorers. Last season, she averaged 6.7 points per game and shot 37% from the field. I have no doubt she will have an outstanding junior season!     Standing at 6'0", Asman excels at driving to the hoop and backing down defenders in the paint. She has also demonstrated an ability to hit shots from three-point range, making her a challenging matchup for opponents. Asman possesses a long wingspan, which she effectively utilizes by keeping the ball high when near the rim. This length allows her to extend away from defenders and gently lay the ball into the basket. After a full summer of playing AAU with [program_tooltip program_id='712636' first='Let' last='It Rain'], I believe she will return to her varsity team with a larger role. While Kimberly has many seniors with size, Asman's unique skill set and athleticism at her height will make her a key player for her team this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='890999' first='Sophie' last='Busch'] is a skilled point guard with a quick first step and the ability to break down defenders off the dribble. She's explosive driving from the perimeter and has a strong finishing package, using moves like the step-through and euro step effectively. Her ball-handling is sharp, and she's a threat with a pull-up jumper. Sophie can shoot well both off the catch and off the dribble, a valuable skill set that sets her apart. She has solid court vision, often finding her teammates in stride. As a sophomore, she averaged 5.6 points per game, highlighted by a 16-point outing against Appleton East. After working throughout the summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713038' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'], I anticipate her having an amazing junior season.

As the season kicks off, a talented group of juniors and seniors, already in pivotal roles for their teams, are set to make an even bigger impact this year. A few of these standout players have even competed on the state championship stage, gaining invaluable high-pressure experience. Now, with expanded responsibilities and heightened expectations, they're ready to lead their teams to new heights this season.