Players Who Could Take a Leap in 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that all the AAU content is complete, I'd like to shift focus to the high school season this winter. There are plenty of players who will assume more prominent roles by gaining a year of experience or some other circumstance. Today, I'd like to highlight a few players who could play significant roles in the 2025-26 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884601' first='Ava' last='Calhoon']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Freedom Irish lost a significant group of seniors who competed at a high level in the Northeast Conference. Calhoon is a player who could have the ball in her hands next season, and her ability to get to the basket will open the floor for the Irish. Calhoon is a player who can put pressure on defenses, which is something she added last season, and could be a more impactful aspect for Freedom next season. There is another level she could reach with time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='978272' first='Eva' last='Englebert']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The River Falls guard missed her first season of high school basketball due to injury. However, Englebert is capable of having a productive sophomore season for a few reasons. One is that she handles the ball well and can create space with the ball in her hands. Another thing that will help her Wildcats group is her ability to beat her initial defender off the dribble. Her ability to create numerical advantages with the ball in her hands isn't something the Wildcats had last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaydn Mataczynski</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hudson rising sophomore played a bit-part role for the Raiders in her first high school season. In year two, Mataczynski could play a prominent role in the Raiders' backcourt this season. She is a player who can handle the ball under pressure and make the correct reads with the ball in her hands. Her ability to execute simple plays will help her make the most of her minutes on the floor. She's a player that her teammates seem to respond to, and that will also create a positive environment for the players she shares the floor with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210467' first='Kaylah' last='Thysse']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oregon guard is a player who could fill the Klara Tracy role this season. Thysse came off the bench and got open looks from the three-point line, but they didn't fall as much as I'm sure she would've liked. However, her ability to create open looks for herself is what I took from her first season of high school basketball. I wouldn't be surprised if she ended her sophomore season as one of the top shooters in the Badger-Large.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->