Stock Risers Heading into the New Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today is the final day of the year, and we'll publish my final two articles of the year before moving on to the second half of the high school season. Today, I'll be highlighting some players who are helping themselves by playing excellent basketball as they figure out their next step after graduating from high school. That said, let's highlight some stock risers from the first half of the 2025-26 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arrowhead wing is the inspiration for my two stock riser articles today, solely because of how she played in her final game of 2025 yesterday afternoon against Providence Academy. Gilmore has always been a glue kid who could defend, rebound, play helpside, and generate extra-effort points at any time. Yesterday, by my unofficial count, Gilmore recorded 28 rebounds, which is the most I've ever seen in a game. It felt like she was everywhere on the defensive side of the ball, and she grabbed at least 12 offensive rebounds. Gilmore may not have many plays designed for her, but she makes her own luck and may be the difference between winning a gold ball and not this March. Gilmore has been one of my favorite players to watch in the 2026 class for a long time. She has winning in her DNA, and I can't say enough positive things about her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992508' first='Macy' last='Stremlow']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Verona sophomore can do a little of everything depending on what her Wildcats team needs in a given game. Stremlow is a physical player who can rebound on either end of the floor and defend physical post players. However, she has become an elite offensive threat in the Big Eight this season. She can finish around the basket, play through contact, and isn't afraid to shoot from the perimeter whenever defenders allow her space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134483' first='Gwenn' last='Elliott']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kohler sophomore had an excellent first season with the Blue Bombers a year ago and has continued to excel this season. Elliott has been the focal point of what her team does on the offensive end. She's the first name on opposing scouting reports and has gotten better statistically. She has all the physical tools and skills to control almost any game she may play in, and she's used those tools to help her team win games in various ways. She is one to know for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mya Dernbach</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quietly, Dernbach has been one of the most productive D5 players over the past four years. The lefty is a skilled scorer who can put the ball in the basket from all three levels and is comfortable knocking down contested shots from the mid-range area. I've been a fan of hers for the last few years, and if she wants to play at the next level, there are plenty of programs that wouldn't mind having a talent like her on their roster for the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->