Notable Performers From Cheesehead Challenge

Over the weekend, I got to take in the action in New Berlin at OAW for the 2026 iteration of the Cheesehead Challenge. Over the next two days, we'll look at a few players who stuck out to me on the main courts downstairs at the facility and what they bring to the floor. It was a fun weekend, with a handful of college coaches from the region. That said, let's highlight a few standouts.    The post player from KML has taken excellent strides over the past year and has become one of the more productive post players in Wisconsin. Mayer is a physical player around the basket and has shown her ability to space the floor a bit with her [program_tooltip program_id='713344' first='Chapman' last='Basketball Academy'] group this spring and summer. I thought she was excellent all weekend and was a handful for opposing posts to defend whenever she was on the floor.     The Brookfield Academy post player has been solid each time I've seen her play this spring and summer. I was impressed with her when I watched her play with her high school team this past winter, and she has continued to play well during this grassroots season. Peterson has a solid touch around the basket and has the physicality to play through contact. I also liked her ability to rebound and box out around the basket.     Every team Volpe has ever played on has been successful, and she has played winning basketball everywhere she's played. The Whitefish Bay native is a competitive defender who isn't afraid to be physical on that end of the floor, even though she isn't the most physically imposing player on the court. She is also an excellent perimeter threat who can space the floor. However, she's probably a better ball handler than people may initially think.     The Pius guard has played alongside ball-dominant players throughout her high school career. She has played an off-ball role and has been a threat to knock down perimeter shots. I thought she did a solid job with the ball and protected it well when she had opportunities to play against pressure. She knocked down three or four threes in her last game of the weekend and played with a lot of confidence each time I saw her play. It may have been the best I've seen her play in the three years I've known about her and what she brings to the floor.

Over the weekend, I got to take in the action in New Berlin at OAW for the 2026 iteration of the Cheesehead Challenge. Over the next two days, we'll look at a few players who stuck out to me on the main courts downstairs at the facility and what they bring to the floor. It was a fun weekend, with a handful of college coaches from the region. That said, let's highlight a few standouts.