Week 1: Fresh Faces and Talented Players to Watch

<p>I had the chance to watch two exciting games in week 1 of the 2024-2025 season, and some uncommitted players caught my eye. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1039257' first='Rihanna' last='Barker'] had an outstanding game making a clutch basket when it mattered most. Khalea Cole, also a sophomore, impressed with her physicality in the paint contributing 8 points and 9 rebounds. Upperclassmen like Ryann Babiash and [player_tooltip player_id='842235' first='Mallory' last='Glysch'] also stood out – these are players who seem to fly under the radar but consistently deliver strong performances. New faces like freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='900199' first='Alexis' last='Babiash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='992499' first='Josie' last='Christian'] impressed me as well, stepping up and playing with confidence at such a young age. Overall, it was a great start to the season with plenty of talent to watch moving forward.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Game Summary: Muskego vs. Kenosha Bradford</strong></h2>   <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/team/muskego/">Muskego</a> jumped out to a commanding lead going up 16 points with 16 minutes left in the second half, but <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/team/bradford-3/">Kenosha Bradford</a> made an incredible comeback to make it a nail-biter down the stretch. Both teams showcased outstanding performances with key contributions from several players on each side.</p>   <p>Muskego's balanced attack built their early dominance with senior [player_tooltip player_id='528119' first='Rachel' last='Agg'] leading the way scoring 17 points and pulling down 7 rebounds. Senior DII commit, [player_tooltip player_id='528116' first='Autumn' last='Dibb'], stood out as the team's steady playmaker by setting up the offense, dishing out key assists, and easily handling defensive pressure. [player_tooltip player_id='528122' first='Melena' last='Glysch'], senior DII commit, dominated the boards grabbing 13 rebounds and providing a strong presence on both ends of the court. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='842235' first='Mallory' last='Glysch'] stood out as another skilled guard and court leader showcasing strong defensive play and contributing 6 points. [player_tooltip player_id='884001' first='Cassidy' last='Hemauer'], a senior, made an impact on both ends of the floor scoring 6 points and using powerful drives to the basket to create scoring opportunities. I was also impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='751273' first='Molly' last='Makinen'] in her varsity debut where she showed confidence and poise adding 5 points and a nice offensive spark for the team.</p>   <p>For Kenosha, their comeback was driven by the determination of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1039257' first='Rihanna' last='Barker'] whose strong drives and clutch shots turned the tide. [player_tooltip player_id='914325' first='Iyanna' last='Green'] added critical baskets including a late three-pointer that shifted the momentum. Sophomore Khalea Cole was a force in the paint scoring 8 points and grabbing 9 rebounds while junior Telisha Brown energized the defense with 9 steals and added 5 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1228873' first='Alise' last='Keys'] was pivotal with 11 rebounds creating second-chance opportunities for Kenosha.</p>   <p>The game came down to the final moments with [player_tooltip player_id='1039257' first='Rihanna' last='Barker']'s euro-step finish with 34 seconds left giving Kenosha a lead they wouldn't relinquish. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Uncommitted Players Who Stood Out</strong><br></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1039257' first='Rihanna' last='Barker'] truly impressed me with her all-around skill set. She has a smooth shot stroke and a lethal jump shot that consistently finds the mark. Barker plays with strength and physicality, finishing strong at the basket. Her quick first step off the catch allows her to blow by defenders, and she shows the ability to spin and play off of contact easily. She is relentless and always charging to the ball for offensive rebounds or loose ball opportunities. Once at the basket, Barker can easily maneuver around defenders using a step-through or euro step. Her composure in clutch moments stood out, particularly during a game-changing drive where she euro-stepped through traffic to finish at the rim and take the lead with 34 seconds remaining. A player to watch, Barker's drive and basketball IQ are undeniable.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore Khalea Cole's presence in the paint was undeniably dominant throughout the game. She finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds all earned through sheer effort, determination, and physicality. Whether on offense or defense, her impact was felt at both ends of the court. Cole set strong, effective screens that freed up her teammates, and she established herself as a solid presence in the middle constantly working to create opportunities. On the defensive end, she anchored Kenosha's interior defense and made it difficult for opponents to score in the paint. Her ability to absorb and thrive in the physicality of the game as a sophomore was particularly impressive and showed maturity beyond her years. Cole's toughness and strong work ethic make her a key player for the team moving forward.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Muskego junior, [player_tooltip player_id='842235' first='Mallory' last='Glysch'], is a versatile and skilled guard who excels at both the point and shooting guard positions. She takes excellent care of the basketball showing poise under pressure and a strong ability to make smart decisions with the ball. Defensively, Glysch is always in the right place consistently making impactful plays. She contributed 6 points during the game, but her value extends far beyond the scoreboard. Her left-handed shot stroke is smooth and reliable, and she's quick to catch and shoot making her a threat from anywhere on the court. Her well-rounded game and basketball IQ make her a standout player for Muskego.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Game Summary: Waupun vs. Lomira</strong></h2>   <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/team/waupun/">Waupun</a> controlled the game from start to finish, securing a 62-42 victory over Lomira. [player_tooltip player_id='374233' first='Lydia' last='Aalsma'], a DI commit, led all scorers with 21 points showcasing her offensive dominance with efficient shooting and strong off-ball movement. Waupun's control of the game was also supported by Ryann Babiash's 11 points, [player_tooltip player_id='900199' first='Alexis' last='Babiash']'s 8 points and Eden Schultz's 9 rebounds. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/team/lomira/">Lomira</a> was led by freshman [player_tooltip player_id='992499' first='Josie' last='Christian'], who impressed with 13 points and showed maturity and poise beyond her years. Junior Rachel Chervenka was second in scoring for Lomira with 7 points.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Uncommitted Players Who Stood Out</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='992499' first='Josie' last='Christian'] is a standout defender and an impressive playmaker for Lomira. Despite her youth, she confidently runs the point guard position and brings the ball up the court with confidence. Defensively, she was tasked with guarding the opposing team's top scorer adding to her responsibilities. She's not afraid to get on the floor for loose-ball opportunities and second chances for her team. Christian is calm under pressure, passing effectively when faced with defensive pressure. Offensively, she's clever in creating her own shot, finding ways to get to the basket and getting her attempts off despite her size. She displayed a nice back-down move that led to a smooth left-handed finish near the rim. Christian also showed that she is a threat from beyond the arc and is ready to shoot. Her ability to drive to the basket and finish through contact is impressive. She's also a strong passer, dishing out assists when driving to the rim displaying a pretty impressive toolkit at such a young age. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Ryann Babiash, Waupun Junior, played with strength and intensity impacting the game in multiple ways. She was fearless in crashing the boards and diving for loose balls. Ryann is not afraid of contact, often using it to her advantage as she drives to the basket. Her ability to go coast-to-coast, rip and drive, and knock down threes with a quick release make her a versatile threat. Ryann's confidence and aggressive style stood out as she consistently made impactful plays.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='900199' first='Alexis' last='Babiash'] handled the ball with ease in her first game as she maneuvered the court without hesitation as a freshman. She's incredibly quick with her catch-and-drive and showed that she can get to the basket. She has nice touch around the rim, and she utilized it this game with a mini hook to counter her size disadvantage in the paint. Alexis is often in the mix of every play, making hustle plays like deflections and tips that may not show up in the box score but are crucial for her team. She crashes the boards, secures key rebounds, and makes smart cuts to the basket. She finished with 8 points in her opening game against Lomira. Alexis is an impressive player with a lot of potential, and it's clear she's just getting started.</p>    <p></p>

I had the chance to watch two exciting games in week 1 of the 2024-2025 season, and some uncommitted players caught my eye. Sophomore Rihanna Barker had an outstanding game making a clutch basket when it mattered most. Khalea Cole, also a sophomore, impressed with her physicality in the paint contributing 8 points and 9 rebounds. Upperclassmen like Ryann Babiash and Mallory Glysch Mallory Glysch 5'9" | SG Muskego | 2026 State WI also stood out – these are players who seem to fly under the radar but consistently deliver strong performances. New faces like freshmen Alexis Babiash Alexis Babiash 5'8" Waupun | 2028 WI and Josie Christian Josie Christian 5'7" | CG Lomira | 2028 State WI impressed me as well, stepping up and playing with confidence at such a young age. Overall, it was a great start to the season with plenty of talent to watch moving forward.