Names to Know After the Champions Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we close the book on the 2025 Champions Challenge, I'd like to highlight some names from programs at the event this year to watch heading forward throughout the rest of the AAU season. There were plenty of solid programs in the Champion Center, and there are some kids who'll draw attention the rest of the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914260' first='Maddie' last='Locke']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched the [program_tooltip program_id='712517' first='Full' last='Package'] guard on Sunday for a half and thought she played well. Her program has a tradition of having fundamentally sound guards, and Locke is no different. She did a solid job with the ball in her hands and made a few plays attacking the basket. Locke doesn't mind contact and took a few hits around the basket and got to the free-throw line. There's more to her game than I saw, but she's a kid. Coaches can play Locke in any role in a backcourt, be comfortable with playing her significant minutes, and trust that she'll find ways to help her team win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='764909' first='Haylie' last='Dulas']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dulas gets overshadowed by the talent around her playing with her Kimberly group or her Team Prime Nation. However, the more touches she gets, even with her Team Prime Nation group, her team does better. Dulas isn't flashy on the offensive end of the floor. The Kimberly wing is direct and has excellent footwork to work around the basket. She's also a talented defensive kid who's defended all five positions at the high school level and will be a versatile defender at the next level. Her ability to affect games without needing to score is rare, and she's done that since I saw her the summer before her freshman season. She's a winner everywhere she plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='514893' first='Madelyn' last='Kiper']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiper has earned some opportunities to play at the next level and deserves it. The 6'1 wing is a versatile kid who can play inside and out, but her ability to space the floor and knock down shots will translate at any level. Each time I watch her play, I like what she brings to the floor more, and she'll be a kid with plenty of D1 opportunities before she makes a decision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225944' first='Jaydah' last='Bork']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Freedom native played her role well on Sunday against one of the best teams at the event. Bork defended well against some talented kids and didn't foul when they attacked her off the dribble. I also thought she did a solid job taking care of the ball in her team's half-court offense and helped maximize her team's possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->