Class of 2027: Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last thing I'd like to do regarding the 2027 class is highlight some players to watch over the next 12 months. I believe this class has improved as a whole over the last few seasons, and there may be a few players who take another step in their junior seasons for one reason or another. In between now and the update for the 2028 class, we'll highlight some aspects of the AAU season that's just gone by.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751291' first='Grace' last='Mitchell']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Winnceconne forward has been the hub of her team's offense since her freshman season. Mitchell has the tools to be a player who elevates an offense as a scorer and a passer. She sees the floor well and is smart enough to take advantage of the attention she draws when the ball is in her hands. It'll take some time to reach her full potential, but coaches will see the vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915003' first='Maren' last='Johnson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel Mount Horeb left plenty of wins on the table last season. Most of their core were younger players, and the ball stuck too much for my liking. However, next season, the ball should move more than it did last season, and Johnson will be a player who will benefit from that ball movement. She can knock down shots as a spot shooter and will show some ability as a player who can attack off the dribble from the weak side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751247' first='Bailee' last='Parker']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vel Phillips Memorial was missing a player like Parker last season. The Spartans had players who could get into the paint off the dribble and score around the basket, but not a player like Parker, who is a natural floor spacer. Having the rising junior back this season will balance their offense more than it was last season, and she will help players around her excel by creating more space and knocking down shots when they come her way. She will be a significant player in their rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892181' first='Mallorie' last='Werner']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hortonville backcourt looked different at the end of last season, and we had a peek at what things could look like in the next few seasons. Werner is an athletic guard who can use her speed to beat defenders off the dribble. She has also shown an ability to step out and knock down shots from the perimeter. Werner could be a player who earns a role that allows her to play extended minutes for the Polar Bears this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->