2027 Players Shine with Grit, Speed, and Sharpshooting Skills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the course of the summer club season, I had the opportunity to watch several talented athletes from numerous club teams compete, and a few names consistently stood out. These players not only brought skill to the court, but also heart, hustle, and growth each time they played. Whether it was lighting it up from deep, playing lock down defense, or pushing the tempo in transition, each of these athletes showcased why they're ones to watch heading into the upcoming high school season. Here's a closer look at three competitors who made a strong impression this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893503"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68827590c4a42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='893503' first='Natalie' last='Bixenman'] is a standout talent who impressed this summer while playing club ball with Magic. With great length for a guard, she brings a unique skill set to the floor, able to handle the ball, knock down outside shots, and distribute with purpose. She has a nice shooting stroke making her a consistent threat from the perimeter, and she has the vision and unselfishness to rack up assists by making the right play. I had the opportunity to watch Bixenman in action this summer, and her combination of size and skill stood out every time she stepped on the court. With continued development, she's ready for a breakout junior season at Wheatland/Grinnell. Big things are coming for this versatile guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779244"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68827590c4ad8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='779244' first='Camden' last='Franklin'] is a well-rounded guard that is continuing to elevate her game every time she steps on the court. I had the chance to watch her compete during club ball this summer, and while her ball-handling and ability to facilitate stood out, it's her defense that stood out. Camden brings relentless energy to the defensive end, locking down opposing guards, jumping passing lanes, and making life difficult for anyone she guarded. Her handles are sharp, and she consistently looks to create for others, showing great court awareness and willingness to share the ball. She is a competitor through and through, and she's setting herself up for a strong upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["844170"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68827590c4b56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='844170' first='Myah' last='Korf'] is a tough, resilient guard who brought grit and determination to the court all summer while competing with WKE. No matter the situation, she stays locked in and ready to battle through adversity with a steady presence and a competitive edge that coaches love to see. What really stood out this summer was her ability to catch fire from the perimeter. When she gets hot, she can shift the momentum of a game quickly with her shooting skills. It didn't matter if she was coming off the bench or she was starting, she was always ready to contribute and never backed down from a challenge. Her ability to overcome tough stretches and stay aggressive speaks volumes about her mindset, and she's setting herself up for a strong season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892373"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68827590c4bd1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='892373' first='Thaylee' last='Powers'] is an athletic guard who brought energy and explosiveness to the floor every time I watched her play this summer, and I watched her a lot. Competing with WKE, she consistently showcased her elite speed and quickness, making her a dangerous weapon in transition. It didn't matter if it was pushing the ball after a rebound or filling a lane on the fast break; she thrived in up-tempo situations and put pressure on defenses from start to finish. Beyond her athleticism, she also improved her perimeter shooting throughout the year, knocking down shots from range with confidence. This gave her the ability to stretch the floor and keep defenders honest, adding another layer to her already dynamic game. With her athletic tools and continued development as a shooter, putting herself in position for a big year ahead and is definitely a name to keep on your radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->