More Names I’ll Watch at OAW

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is still some time before the Legacy Region Kick-Off tomorrow night, so I'd like to continue highlighting some kids to know heading into the event, and I probably will tomorrow before I head to OAW.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874394' first='Mya' last='Johnson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under-the-radar name that popped up last summer was [player_tooltip player_id='874394' first='Mya' last='Johnson']. The Oshkosh West guard fits the defensive identity of the Wildcats and will have a role there at some point. However, seeing her with [program_tooltip program_id='712778' first='Purple' last='Aces'] last season was fun. The defensive intensity she brings to the floor is second to none, and she never relents. It's early to make overarching statements about Wisconsin's 2028 class. However, Johnson may end up being one of the better perimeter defenders in the class when it's all said and done, and I don't make statements like that often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ronnyia Murphy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of elite perimeter defenders who haven't played a varsity role yet, Murphy may even fit that bill more than Johnson. I saw Murphy last fall at the PGH Freshman Showcase, and what she did on the defensive is something I remember to this day. The way that Murphy can disrupt an entire offense because of how flustered she can make opposing lead guards is incredible. The guard talent at Verona has been excellent since I've been around, and they still had a few college-level upperclassmen last season. I expect Murphy to find her footing soon. However, if you love watching kids defend, watch Murphy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='855854' first='Morgan' last='Martinez']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I talked about Martinez last week, but I love how she plays enough to highlight her heading into this weekend again. The 5'10 wing does all the dirty work, and her motor on the boards is ridiculous. At the Freshman Showcase, the way she worked both boards was memorable. She may have even been the best rebounder at the event. Offensively, there's work needed, but anything that involves her putting in the effort, she'll knock out of the park, so she'll be a fun kid to track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kylie Ver Bockel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How many programs can have a physical six-foot presence and not have many minutes for them? Kimberly, of course. The talent level there is ridiculous, so people may not know what ver Bockel is capable of, which is understandable. However, her ability to work around the rim is solid enough to impact games for its entirety, and she has some ability to step out and knock down a perimeter jumper if dared to shoot it. I like her physical profile, and over the spring and summer, we'll see how skilled she is after playing more than 20 minutes each time her team has a game. We'll learn a lot about her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->