More Rising Juniors to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This point in the year is usually the slow part of the calendar. Kids are resting their bodies after a grueling AAU season, having played countless games in July, and everyone is enjoying the last bit of summer before the school year begins. Today, we'll examine a few players poised for a massive season in 2025-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751259' first='Hayden' last='Lauer']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kettle Moraine Lutheran guard took a significant leap from her first to second season in high school. Lauer looked more confident on the offensive end of the floor and didn't hesitate when she had opportunities to score and was a threat to knock perimeter jumpers when she would've preferred to attack the basket in year one. The Chargers will still need her to find another gear and be a leader in their backcourt as they look to make a deep run in the postseason this coming winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769179' first='Cali' last='Tagliapietra']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grafton guard is a player who impressed me last season as the Black Hawks moved on from their class of 2024. Tagliapietra was willing to force the issue at times with the ball in her hands, which is what her team needed. You don't run into high school programs with the issue of moving the ball too much, but that's what they had. Tagliapietra's ability to get downhill and generate open shots for others made them more competitive than they otherwise would've been without her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986163' first='Tatum' last='Meinen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Muskego rotation was as deep as any program's in Wisconsin in the 2024-25 season. Meinen had a role to play for the Warriors last season and helped them win some games. However, this season, Meinen could be a player who Muskego leans on heavily to compete at the highest level. She understands what they do defensivley, spaces the floor, moves the ball well, and is willing to attack the basket. I'm eager to see what Meinen looks like in her junior season and what the Warriors look like after their Runner-Up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751243' first='Ava' last='Vogler']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There may not be a player poised for a breakout like Vogler. I believe she is one of the most dynamic guards in the state who hasn't shown as much of her game as she could. She can be an efficient 20-point-per-game player. She may not be the most recognizable name in her class, but I'm sure she's a player who can contribute to a competitive basketball program at the next level if she chooses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->