Great Lakes Region Finals: Standout Players From Day One (16U)

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Every first game mattered, regardless of the outcome. With more than 150 teams spread across four venues, there was no shortage of talent on display throughout the day. Whether a team won or lost, there were still opportunities for players to make an impact as bracket play continued. As expected, some players found ways to separate themselves from the pack. Below are five more players who truly stood out to me on Day One of the 16U division in Batavia.</h3>    Walker is the last line of defense for her program, and in both games today, she either got a block, altered shots, or put second thoughts into players looking to get to the rim. Her presence around the basket was felt throughout the day. On the offensive side of the ball, she can finish over either shoulder and get it going when she catches the ball in that area. She also shows the confidence to attack off the bounce when given the opportunity. As that part of her game continues to grow, along with the shooting, she'll continue to be a name that draws attention.     Kueker is coming into her own as a true individual threat on the court, and you can see the confidence in the way she moves when the ball is in her hands. She's always had the skill set of a player who can step into a role and excel, but in yesterday's game against Air Heart, she took over and couldn't miss from the outside. The length is there to be impactful on the boards and on the defensive end, and when it comes to playmaking, she doesn't second guess her instincts. The confidence, production, and overall growth of her game are starting to come together, and she is going to be a top player in this class as time goes on.     Vonna is an aggressive player who has no quit in her game. In the first matchup I watched this morning, she truly couldn't be stopped from attacking the rim. Time after time, she found ways to get into the paint, showing the craftiness and focus needed to score around or over the top of a packed defense. What stood out was her willingness to keep applying pressure regardless of who was in front of her. She plays twice her size and is not a player you want to be left guarding in an isolation situation.     The Example program just got stronger at the center position, and Burpo is a big reason why. She has both the strength and stature to be a dominant presence on the defensive end, while also serving as a strong piece alongside a team with high level guards. In one of the matchups I watched against [program_tooltip program_id='715518' first='24:UP' last=''], she had a couple of possessions where she caught the ball at the top and attcked. There's still an adjustment period as she gets more comfortable within the program, but the flashes are there, and you can see the level she has the potential to help this team reach.     Schlichtman has a ton of potential to be a strong player in this class, and in the games I watched of her, she progressively got better as the day went on. Whether it was getting her feet under her or finding her spots, once she got going, she became difficult to defend. She's a stretch forward who can score around the block, extend the floor, and defend both guards and wings, which gives her value in a variety of lineups. As the consistency in her impact continues to grow, she'll become a focal piece for both her AAU program and during the high school season.