More Potential X-Factors in the 2025-26 Season

Brady Peterson November 3, 2025 @ 10:15 PM

As the season inches closer, I want to highlight a handful of players who could prove to be x-factors in their team's seasons. Tonight I'll discuss eight players and continue sharing preview content throughout the week. Previewing the 2025-26 season has been a lot of fun, and I'm excited to tip things off on November 18th.   [player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta']   The Hartford guard has played in plenty of high-profile games in high school. The junior guard has always been a confident offensive player, never hesitates when she's gotten room to shoot, and can create her shot off the dribble. She has played some of her best basketball since the start of June, and hasn't slowed down in the Fall League over at Pewaukee. The Orioles should have a handful of players who can make things happen off the dribble, and Shelsta is the most direct out of all of them. She gets to her spots quickly and with a purpose.   Hailey Hafner   Xavier is in an odd spot after being elevated to Division 2 without ever winning a state title. The plus for them is they have most everyone back from the teams that went to back-to-back state title games in D3. Hafner is the player who is the heart and soul of what they do. She came off the bench last season, but was someone they could rely on to make things happen whenever the ball was in her hands. She's also an energetic defender who will pressure the ball at all times.   [player_tooltip player_id='751291' first='Grace' last='Mitchell']   Winneconne is probably a program that we should see in a Sectional Final this season, but they may not be the favorite in what could be a fun matchup with Kettle Moraine Lutheran. Mitchell is a versatile player who will force challenging matchups against anyone she plays against. She is a 5'11 physical wing who can handle the ball and play around the basket. If Mitchell is a more consistent scorer, she may be a player who can help take her Wolves team to the state tournament and potentially take a gold ball home to Winneconne.   [player_tooltip player_id='777574' first='Jade' last='Kroll']   Kewaunee is on the cusp of making a run to the state tournament again, and Kroll is crucial to that. She has the talent to do anything she wants in D4, and as a senior, we should see her playing the best basketball of her career. She is a talented athlete who can make plays on both ends of the court and has an edge to her game. The Storm guard has helped her team win postseason games the past few seasons and was an overtime away from helping her program reach a Sectional Final last season.

As the season inches closer, I want to highlight a handful of players who could prove to be x-factors in their team's seasons. Tonight I'll discuss eight players and continue sharing preview content throughout the week. Previewing the 2025-26 season has been a lot of fun, and I'm excited to tip things off on November 18th.