Polished in the post-season — players peaking at the right time

As regional rankings and substate pairings approach in the coming weeks it's important for teams to stay the course and finish the grind on a high note. When it comes to state qualifying teams, it's cliche but it's true — those who peak at the right time and are playing their best basketball at the end of the season are the teams who will lift the trophy and don the pink shirts. This week I'm highlighting players who are helping their teams continue to peak late-season. These athletes are contributing across the board and ensuring their teams are finishing with wins when momentum is at the utmost importance.    Dowling Catholic is surging, and [player_tooltip player_id='777225' first='Katie' last='Muller']'s contribution is part of the reason why. Listed at 6'2", this lengthy guard is putting up big numbers as of late to help the Maroons build momentum. In their last three wins, Muller has averaged 18 points, 8 boards, and 4 assists while shooting the three ball at an elite level (45%). Her height and lightning quick trigger give her the freedom to launch over contested hands, and her strength with the ball and relentlessness on the boards make her very hard to stop in the paint. In short, I am looking at [player_tooltip player_id='777225' first='Katie' last='Muller'] as the X-Factor in a late season push for Dowling Catholic.       I am loving the hustle and efficiency from ADM's [player_tooltip player_id='1091299' first='Ella' last='Subbert'] this season. She's a double-double threat every time she steps on the floor and she shines on both sides of the ball. Subbert is a 6'2" sophomore forward who has been a major factor in ADM's big second half of the season, winning 7 of their last 8. Ella is averaging 12.2 points and 8.5 boards per game this year while just recently breaking the ADM single season record for blocks (congrats, Ella). Putting up big numbers on the defensive end as well (including a 6-block game last week), I think Subbert's best basketball is ahead of her as she leads the charge toward the State Tournament.     3A, fifth-ranked Williamsburg High School is a battle-tested team who is rolling in 2026, and their sights are set on a State Tournament berth with point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1093414' first='Channing' last='Becker'] at the helm. Don't let her size fool you — this 5'2 firecracker knows how to make plays and has been instrumental in the Raiders' seven game win streak. Becker has surpassed her 8.3PPG season average in all but one of the past seven wins (10.3PPG total) and has shown her defensive prowess in the process. Becker is averaging 3 steals per game this season, and in this seven-game stretch she has tallied over 3 on average per contest. To sum Becker up, I think she is the full point guard package — aggressive on defense, shoots at an excellent clip (49% from three), creates for teammates and keeps turnovers low.     In terms of momentum there isn't a team that has much more than Mediapolis. The Bulldogs are undefeated this year in class 3A, and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='839371' first='Grace' last='Holsteen'] has been leading the way. She is averaging 17.3 points, 2.1 boards, 3.4 assists and 2.9 steals per game (in other words, she does it all). In Mediapolis' versatile offense, four seniors are averaging over 10 points per game — that's hard to defend. Holsteen is at the top of opponent's scouting report due to her shooting ability (50.2% FG, 40.2% 3PT, and 73% FT). She's a threat in the fast break, behind the arc, and on the defensive end. If the Bulldogs are going to continue in their undefeated ways, I would have my eyes on [player_tooltip player_id='839371' first='Grace' last='Holsteen'] to carry the load.     [player_tooltip player_id='839338' first='Rachel' last='Schany'] is doing everything she can to ensure the Emmetsburg E-Hawks have a shot at the State Tournament in 2026. The senior forward is sparkling in class 2A this season and has helped pace Emmetsburg to a big nine-game win streak. Schany is averaging 21.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.6A APG, 3 SPG and 2 BPG in a monster senior year, and is doing so at a very efficient rate (56% FG). The two-time High Jump State Champ can finish on their side of the rim, runs the floor with ease and will step out for the occasional three if you give her too much room. Add in her defensive numbers and you have one MVP type year — keep your sights on Schany as post-season approaches for Emmetsburg.

As regional rankings and substate pairings approach in the coming weeks it's important for teams to stay the course and finish the grind on a high note. When it comes to state qualifying teams, it's cliche but it's true — those who peak at the right time and are playing their best basketball at the end of the season are the teams who will lift the trophy and don the pink shirts. This week I'm highlighting players who are helping their teams continue to peak late-season. These athletes are contributing across the board and ensuring their teams are finishing with wins when momentum is at the utmost importance.