More Impressive Performers This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I spent the last two days in Northwest Wisconsin and Minnesota, and saw some entertaining basketball in both games I watched, whether it was Eau Claire Memorial vs. Hudson or the game in Minnesota today between Providence Academy and Waunakee. We'll see what the next few weeks hold, but I'm eager for an exciting end to the season to see where things end up. However, before I go to bed tonight, let's talk about some players from America's Dairyland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751243' first='Ava' last='Vogler']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sun Prairie native is a talented scorer who can put the ball in the basket from all three levels offensively. Vogler has always had a knack for putting the ball in the basket, and as she's added strength, she's improved. The way she can create off the dribble also allows her to be a player who can hunt mismatches, but she also has the burst to get to her defenders' hip and get to the paint. There is some more she can add to her game, but she is another player in the 2027 class who could end up being a steal at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hailey Hafner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Xavier guard is one of my favorite players to watch in the state. She may not always make the right play, but players like her, who play hard and play with maximum effort, are kids who you can live with making mistakes every now and again. She has a way of making things happen that no other player can because of how aggressively she is with the ball in her hands. No matter when you see her play, she will be a player who makes it easy to love watching her play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jill Pinno</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Winnebago Lutheran forward may be a scholarship player in hiding at the moment. I'm unsure if Pinno wants to play basketball at the next level, but she does everything you'd want a post to do. She defends around the basket, catches the ball in traffic, keeps the ball high, finishes around the basket, and runs the floor well. The junior is also a solid vertical athlete who can pop off the floor and catch the ball above a crowd of players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888330' first='McKinley' last='Russell']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shullsburg guard/wing is a versatile player who can handle the ball and has the length to give defenders fits. She missed some of the season due to an appendectomy, but she's helped the Miners earn some impressive wins this season. Russell has the talent to be a difference maker at the small-school level, and she's done that since she's returned to the lineup. There is a world where Shullsburg stuns teams this postseason, and it's because of Russell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->