Players to Watch This Winter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once Monday arrives, I will highlight the best AAU performers from Wisconsin-based programs this past summer. However, before then, I'd like to highlight a few players who could surprise people in this high school season and discuss some players who could excel this winter who are somewhat under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='910454' first='Aniya' last='Blackmon']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Milwaukee native had an excellent AAU season with [program_tooltip program_id='713328' first='Team' last='1848']. I thought she was an offensive threat on the perimeter and in the paint. She has the physicality to play around the basket and a reliable jumper that can hurt defenses if they don't take away her airspace. She's a player who I'm interested in, where she lands. Blackmon has physical tools that coaches like, and I'm sure there will be a few options for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533086' first='Kylie' last='Pieper']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel Pieper got lost in the shuffle with the talent at Pewaukee over the last few seasons. Pieper is a solid multi-sport athlete who can make plays on both ends of the floor. However, playing with three players who will play at the Power Four level will limit opportunities on the offensive end of the floor. She's shown flashes on the offensive end when she finds her rhythm and has the confidence to be a difference maker on that end. However, she does her best work on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595865' first='Molly' last='Olson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The runs that Albany/Montoicello have been on have been entertaining to watch, but I'm unsure if Olson has earned the respect statewide that she may deserve. Olson is a player who has sacrificed her body to help her team compete every step of the way, and no matter what has happened to her, she pushes forward. She may not be a player who coaches will love after the first time they watch her play, but she's a hard kid to appreciate after watching her for a handful of games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992484' first='Ambria' last='Fischer']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Appleton East rising sophomore is relentless. Fischer will pick up her assignment full court and make their lives miserable for every second she's on the floor. Players like her, whose effort defines them, to me, prove that effort is a skill, because if it weren't, everyone would play like Fischer. There is still plenty for her to work on as she matures as a player, but as long as she keeps her motor, there will be competitive programs that will find a place for her at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->