Hidden in Plain Sight

This season is packed with impressive teams and fierce competition. While many standout players are gaining attention, others remain under the radar. I want to highlight a few players who have caught my eye as being overlooked and definitely underrated.    Kendall is unbelievably quick and handles the ball exceptionally well. She displays impressive ball-handling skills and is very reliable in bringing the ball up the court with pressure. On offense, she makes great decisions and effectively reads the defense which are ideal qualities for a point guard. Her shot is beautiful, and she poses a significant threat from beyond the arc. She shoots in rhythm which I like to see as it gives her a more consistent shot. She also takes excellent care of the basketball. Defensively, she plays fast and unshakeable. Standing at 5'3", she plays with the confidence of someone much taller. When she switches on defense and faces a post player, she does a great job of challenging mismatches and contesting shots. In her sophomore debut, Kendall recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.      [player_tooltip player_id='454966' first='Ellie' last='Deprey'] has an impressive three-point shot and shoots at a high percentage. She can shoot contested and boasts impressive range from beyond the arc. In a recent game versus Racine Park, she shot 4-8 from three-point range adding to her 12-point game. She is very active and cuts hard off the ball opening herself up to more offensive opportunities. She takes great care of the basketball and makes solid, precise passes. Overall, Ellie is a very fundamentally sound player both offensively and defensively. She is a vital player for Wauwatosa East, and I predict she will continue to play a significant role in her team's success this season.      [player_tooltip player_id='992492' first='Ellie' last='Pudelko'] has a great shot and poses a serious threat on the court. This season, she has made 6 out of 11 three-point attempts. Recently, she had a 23-point game against Milwaukee Lutheran where she also contributed 5 rebounds to her team's victory. She is incredibly quick on drives often beating defenders her first step, and she can finish with contact at the basket. She can also catch in the paint and make smart decisions from there. Defensively, she is quick with her feet, consistently staying with her player and positioning herself well to provide help when needed. Ellie is a versatile player capable of taking on multiple roles on the court. As a freshman, she has already made a significant impression and is a player to keep an eye on.      [player_tooltip player_id='777580' first='Sarah' last='Bolchen'] brings a lot to the court, but what stands out the most is her hustle and incredible defense. Last season, she was recognized on the all-defensive team, and it's easy to see why. She excels at the point guard position, demonstrating excellent court vision and the ability to dish nice passes. Additionally, she has a solid shot and can shoot effectively from three-point range. Although she may not have the size of some players, she compensates with her speed and relentless effort. Her impressive stat line of 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 9 steals from Manitowoc Lincoln's game against Michicot speaks for itself!      Bryn Adams is a powerful forward for Sheboygan North. She's impressive in the high post where she demonstrates patience as she makes solid passes or seizes scoring opportunities. She has a nice-looking shot and can hit the mid-range jumper or pop out from the paint and hit the three. She can finish with both hands at the basket and is a reliable finisher at the rim. On defense, Bryn moves her feet well and plays aggressively, and she causes major issues for opponents trying to score at the basket. She lets the offense come to her and takes quality, high-percentage shots. This style of play can unfortunately lead to an oversight as she quietly achieves impressive statistics. I believe she doesn't receive enough recognition for her contributions on both ends of the floor.

This season is packed with impressive teams and fierce competition. While many standout players are gaining attention, others remain under the radar. I want to highlight a few players who have caught my eye as being overlooked and definitely underrated.