Video evaluations: Under-the-radar 2021s, part 2
You have to admire a player who takes a great deal of pride in her defense. There simply aren’t enough of them which is why, not coincidentally, they tend to find their way into a consistent role as college freshmen…
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Continue ReadingYou have to admire a player who takes a great deal of pride in her defense. There simply aren’t enough of them which is why, not coincidentally, they tend to find their way into a consistent role as college freshmen ahead of more offensive-oriented newbies. Merlea Mrozik is one such player. The Duluth Marshall guard leads the way today in part 2 of our video evaluations on Under-the-radar 2021s, those juniors you may not know… yet.
Merlea Mrozik, guard, Duluth Marshall
We saw the impact that Mrozik’s defensive pressure can have on a basketball game back in February when we traveled to Duluth to watch Marshall face Minnesota commit Katie Borowicz Katie Borowicz 5'6" | PG Roseau | 2021 State MN of Roseau. On that night, the 5’8 guard showed us her tenacious demeanor, maximum effort and complete lack of fear as she held Borowicz to her lowest offensive output of the season. Mrozik’s other primary attribute is her three-point shooting. Because teams are so focused on trying to guard Marshall’s star attractions Grace Kirk and Gianna Kneepkens Gianna Kneepkens 5'11" | CG Duluth Marshall | 2021 State #86 Nation MN – can you blame them?! – Merlea often has time and space and knows how to make the most of it from beyond the arc. Mrozik averaged 10 points per game to go along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists and 2 steals. She also has a 3.9 GPA.
Emma Johnson, guard, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton
The 5’7 shooting guard plays in a low-profile high school program in Janesville and hasn’t drawn much attention in the past. As the video shows, however, Johnson has some attributes that are worth paying attention to. She’s got plenty of range and gets her shot off quickly from beyond the arc. She is an intelligent player who can also elude her opponents in traffic to get to the rim while shrugging off contact on the way there. Johnson has quality handles and can finish with either hand. She also has the ability to sidestep her defender one-on-one to create a shooting opportunity. JWP posts limited stats but for those games listed she averaged in double figures. We’re told Johnson is a gym rat who also runs track and cross country and is an excellent teammate. She plays AAU for Minnesota Nice.
Lexiss Trygg, forward, Virginia
Welcome to the block party. Trygg’s video serves up something you just don’t see very often – a veritable buffet of blocks. At 6’2, with a sizeable frame and plenty of length, the Virginia power forward is a disruptive force on defense. It’s not easy to get yourself into the right position at the right time to thwart an opponent’s shot attempt. At the same time you need to avoid the ever-present temptation to swat at the ball, which almost always draws a foul even when executed well. Trygg also knows how to use her size at the other end of the floor. She is tenacious, and does a nice job of eluding and out-muscling defenders inside. She can finish with either hand, although she clearly favors the spin move to the right that enables her to quickly go up and over smaller opponents. Lexiss averaged 14 points and 11.5 rebounds per game this winter and is a potential scholarship-level player who continues to improve. She’ll play AAU for the new Starks Elite team out of Duluth.
Chanel Kallevig, guard, Prior Lake
Chanel is a high-energy player who plays with pace, has solid offensive skills and nice touch around the rim. The 5’8 guard is also a very good three-point shooter with plenty of range. Kallevig is fun to watch. She plays with a lot of confidence and has the ability to use her long strides and nice elevation to elude defenders and get to the basket. Her go-to move is a quick first step to the left. Even if opponents know it’s coming they still have trouble successfully defending it. One thing I really like about Chanel is the fact that she always has her hands up and ready to accept a pass and launch her shot, an underrated habit to be sure. Kallevig scored 6.5 points per game for Prior Lake this winter and narrowly missed out on making the class of 2021 top 150. She plays for Crossfire Hermann.