Under-The-Radar Talents

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're about two weeks into the season, and I'd like to highlight some lesser-known names who've played well early this season. So, let's get after it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275661' first='Jordan' last='Ohman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing long-term starters Sam Jacobsen and Mary Berg to WIAC schools, Menomonie had a massive production vacuum that needed filling, and Ohman has done that well. She's flown all over the floor, made plays on both ends, and made a name for herself early on. I'm eager to watch her on stream once the Mustangs get to BRC play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1265490' first='Autumn' last='Davis']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spencer wing/forward has punished defenses for sagging off her on the perimeter early this season. She's made her fair share of threes, probably two per game, and has been able to shoot over smaller defenders. The results have been solid for Davis and the Rockets, reaching half the number of wins they recorded a season ago in two weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allyah Schwem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blackhawk newcomer has been excellent defensively at the top of the Viroqua zone defense. She's created plenty of live-ball turnovers at the top of the zone and gotten to show off her speed in transition. Her ability to turn defense into offense in seconds has been valuable to Viroqua early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Zeman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Lily Radcliffe graduated a few years ago, Melrose-Mindoro has missed a kid who could create something out of nothing, and Zeman has a little of that in her game. Zeman does an excellent job in transition, weaving through traffic, and finishing at the rim with both hands. She's forced mistakes from opposing guards and generated easy offense from her defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allie Robel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elk Mound has its eyes on a deep postseason run, and that's only possible for the Mounders with this version of Allie Robel. The 5'10 guard has to play as a forward, and she plays with plenty of physicality against kids with a size advantage over her. I love her aggression in her box-outs and how well Robel uses her speed to beat her initial defender to the rim when post players guard her in space. She's a mismatch for the Mounders and, at her best, can thrive when [player_tooltip player_id='448260' first='Ellie' last='Schiszik'] draws the defense's attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Callie Kurzcek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Berlin wing is slightly undersized for her position at the next level at 5'8, but she makes it work. She's fundamentally sound and has an excellent motor, which is all you can ask. Kurczek is a laterally quick defender who can jump passing lanes and isn't afraid of being physical on either end of the floor. The Berlin wing is willing to take charges and earn her team extra possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992499' first='Josie' last='Christian']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first thing that stood out about Christian over the summer was her motor. The newcomer at Lomira flies all over the floor and makes plays on the ball, and having the trust of her coaches and teammates to chase around Waupun's best player and have some success as a 14-year-old is crazy. She's had some excellent scoring nights early on in the season, but her defensive tape from that Waupun game is the most promising thing I've seen of her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->