Small School Sectional X-Factors

Sectionals week is here, and today, we'll look over a few large and small-school x-factors heading into a week where teams can punch their ticket to the Resch Center. Let's look at a few kids who can get their team over the hump.   [player_tooltip player_id='995788' first='Elsah' last='Rubis']   The 6'2 forward from St. Croix Central hasn't been as good on the offensive end this season, but she's been an imposing presence around the basket. She's rebounded the ball at a high clip and defended well around the rim. Her size and consistency around the basket on the defensive end will set the tone for the Panthers.   [player_tooltip player_id='766628' first='Brynn' last='Krull']   After missing most of her first two seasons due to injury, Krull has been the focal point of the Xavier offense. She's the only Hawk scoring in double-figures on average, and her shooting splits have been solid all season. Krull is a threat on the perimeter and a physical enough guard to scrap for loose balls and rebounds around the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id='624854' first='Gracee' last='Langer']   Edgerton has some talented guards in players like [player_tooltip player_id='914989' first='Claudia' last='Jenny'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533071' first='Marti' last='Rebman']. However, [player_tooltip player_id='624854' first='Gracee' last='Langer'] is the kid who determines the direction of the Crimson Tide. Her physicality and ability to control the area around the basket balance their inside-out game. In a world where Edgerton gets out of their sectional, Langer has to be dominant.   [player_tooltip player_id='842243' first='Hanna' last='Bultman']   Off a breakout regular season, Bultman adds a layer to Thomas More. She's been among the top post players in the state, plays hard, and can knock down perimeter shots. She's a versatile offensive tool that could cause problems for her potential sectional opponents.   [player_tooltip player_id='1045915' first='Bailey' last='Olson']   Cameron was on the cusp of breaking through last season and has the tools to make it to Green Bay again this season. Olson is the focal point of the Comets' offense, and she can benefit from the speed their offense runs, with Lexi Kuffel in the backcourt. Olson can knock down perimeter shots with volume and will be a name circled on the scouting report of opposing teams in the Comets' sectional.   Jade Kroll   The Kewaunee sophomore is integral to everything the Storm does on both ends of the floor. Kroll is an athletic wing who can get to the rim at will and has done a solid job finishing in traffic all season. Her ability to draw attention by getting downhill allows her teammates to get open looks when help-side defenders rotate to keep Kroll from getting to the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id='374234' first='Olivia' last='Olson']   Even at sub-100 %, Olson's presence elevates Cuba City's ceiling. The future Milwaukee Panther brings leadership qualities that few can match as a lead guard. She's shown she can still put the ball in the basket, and having another talented guard in the Cubans' backcourt only helps.   [player_tooltip player_id='874583' first='Bronte' last='Hulberg']   Pardeeville has had an excellent season and has the potential to make a deeper run than a sectional semifinal game this Thursday. [player_tooltip player_id='874583' first='Bronte' last='Hulberg'] has been their best option on the perimeter. She's scored at all three levels this season and has been a kid opposing defenses have had to respect. She's had solid performances against talented teams all season and has to again against Westfield on Thursday.   Gabi Radichel   No. 6 Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran emerged from two road games with a Regional Championship. Radichel has been a double-double kid all season. The 5'9 forward plays with physicality and sets a tone on the boards.   [player_tooltip player_id='876098' first='Jaedyn' last='Zdroik']   The Pacelli guard consistently flirts with a triple-double. Her ability to power to the rim while keeping her head up allows her to make plays for herself and others. She's a physical kid with a nose for the ball. The Cardinals had the tools for a run to the Resch Center last season but came up short. They have the experience with players like Zdroik.   [player_tooltip player_id='888330' first='McKinley' last='Russell']   The 5'11 guard is a matchup nightmare for D5 schools. She's found ways to get her team through some challenging nights when shots weren't falling by being a creative force on the offensive end. There aren't many good matchups for her.   [player_tooltip player_id='521329' first='Taylor' last='Brigham']   [player_tooltip player_id='521329' first='Taylor' last='Brigham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='374230' first='Addy' last='Verhagen']'s connection elevate this team to one that can compete for a gold ball. In Brigham's absence, we saw how much this team didn't look like itself, and now that she's back, they're back in the upper echelon of D5.

Sectionals week is here, and today, we'll look over a few large and small-school x-factors heading into a week where teams can punch their ticket to the Resch Center. Let's look at a few kids who can get their team over the hump.