Players to See Over the Second Half of the Grassroots Season

The first half of the grassroots season is in the books, and things will quiet down for a few weeks before events like Cheesehead Challenge, Summer Jam, and other events start later this month. Before we get there, we'll have a few camps and other events I'll attend, but we will look at some players who have impressed me when I've seen them play over the past few months.    The 2030 graduate will play her first high school season this coming winter and could be an impact player early for an Elkhorn team retooling after losing a talented class, including Lile's older sister. Lile is a versatile wing who can play multiple roles and has a skill level you don't often see in players her age. She has solid footwork and can make plays after she picks her dribble, and doesn't panic when she's under pressure, ever.     I've always liked Davel's game and like how dynamic she can be as a lead guard when she's at her best. The left-handed guard is a kid who can hunt her shot and score from all three levels. However, if shots aren't falling, she can use her lateral quickness to defend and help a team disrupt an offense at the point of attack. She is a kid who's played winning basketball at the high school level and can contribute to winning at the next level in her own way.     The Burlington guard is a player who can put the ball in the basket, with volume. Schmidt can work away from the ball and use off-ball screens to create space to catch the ball and get her shot off. I've noted that she scored the most points I saw in a game in Wisconsin this past year and found ways to score even when the defense was geared to keep her from touching the ball. She will probably fly under the radar, but she is a rising junior for regional programs to know.     The Bay Port guard is, hopefully, done with the knee injuries that have kept her sidelined for extended periods over the past few years. She has a competitive edge to her game that I appreciate, and some college coaches immediately noticed when they saw her play. She's a skilled kid who will get better the further she gets away from some of the injuries that kept her off the floor. Lewitzke will be a player who catches people's attention in July.

The first half of the grassroots season is in the books, and things will quiet down for a few weeks before events like Cheesehead Challenge, Summer Jam, and other events start later this month. Before we get there, we'll have a few camps and other events I'll attend, but we will look at some players who have impressed me when I've seen them play over the past few months.