Which Freshmen Have Opened Their Careers with the Biggest Impact?

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">With more than half of the season wrapped up, the past couple of months have shown how quickly freshmen can adjust to the varsity level. Some have stepped in and made an impact right away, while others have found their footing as the season has gone on. Either way, the learning curve is real, and how players respond to it matters. Some embrace the moment, while others start to raise their level as confidence builds. I like to focus on the ones who have hit the ground running. Below are some of the top freshmen who have stood out this season.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216383"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ba3523279a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>McKenna has carved out her own role on a high level program, and as a freshman, that's not easy to do. Her length and agility are the main reasons she impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Defensively, she can guard 1-2 and still cause problems for post players when/if switches happen. Offensively, she doesn't need the ball in her hands to be effective. She's in constant motion and never seems to lose energy. Strong upside.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225771"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ba35232716"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Benson has been a bright spot for the Butler program this year and has shown that she's fit to be the focal point of the team in the future when a majority of the talent graduates this spring. She is a high energy guard who truly plays both sides of the ball and can swing a game simply off of her aggression. Major upside.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1305088"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ba35232843"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Burninson was off to a strong start in her first year before it was cut short by injury, but she's the type of kid who doesn't let something like that slow her down. She's a true 3 and D player who can either step into a primary role or thrive as a strong complementary piece. She has all the tools to become a face of this program as the years go on.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["722732"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c0ef747a84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Montini has always been the home to top tier talent, and Richardson has been doing things so far this season that point in that direction. The growth in her game has been apparent and has truly kept Montini competitive so far this season. If she keeps on this path, you're looking at a potenital all conference type of player within the next couple of years. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1280024"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697c0ef747aea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Adams has been a part of the offensive force at Romeoville so far this season. She can score in a variety of ways and has the potential to become a true threat at all levels of the court. She plays with a strong mix of pace and aggression, which most young players don't develop until their upperclassmen years.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->