First Year As An Upperclassmen: Who Are The Leaders In The Making

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Heading into their first year as a leader of the program, most players will have to go through an adjustment period of learning what they'll need to learn or unlearn to be an impactful player on their respective teams, as well as having younger players look up to them for help or just admiration. Below are 5 players who I believe will have a small turnaround for that. </h2>    Hoffmann remains one of the more versatile players within her position, let alone her class, and with Grayslake being centered around her skillset, it will be fun to see how much she takes from this summer into her play for the upcoming season. She can score with some of the best in this class, but it's her passing and vision that have separated her from most. Wouldnt be a surprise if we see some big numbers on the assists side this season.     Mersinger was a key piece in the success of Benet last year, and this year I don't see a drop off. Now that her being the outright starting guard this year, you can expect more confidence and comfort in her game. She plays the game twice her size, and she only plays to win. I could see her being the driving force on another successful season for the Redwings.     King has the fundamentals and the athleticism to be a problem for opponents, but I think what separates her is that she can't utilize on and off the ball, which most young players struggle with, and if her offense is lining up the way she wants it to.. she's just as aggressive on the opposite end. She'll be a key piece for Evanston this year.     Hinsdale Central has some sneaky talented players, and Mollis is right up there with some of the best ones. Beyond the arc, there's no fear, and on the drive, she keeps it simple. Her game isn't flashy, but she shows impact in whatever position or role she's utilized in. Those are the type of things that can turn a player into a great leader. Adaptability and no ego. She will be key to the success of her high school program this year.     Black will be a huge piece on how Prospect closes out games this year, simply because she doesn't need the score or have the ball to add pressure to the defense. Yes, she's a player that can score, but she can also go 3-5 possessions straight of being a playmaker. Whether it's setting up her bigs, or finding guards who are slashing.. or just moving throughout the floor to cause lapses and head turns of the defense, to open up angles for teammates. Big fan of Zoe's potential.