Standouts From the First Half of the Grassroots Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first half of the grassroots season is in the books, and things will quiet down for a few weeks before events like Cheesehead Challenge, Summer Jam, and other events start later this month. Before we get there, we'll have a few camps and other events I'll attend, but we will look at some players who have impressed me when I've seen them play over the past few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sophia Place","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Divine Savior Holy Angels","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"1on1 Milwaukee","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e58964c8a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Over the weekend in Appleton, I saw Place play for the first time this grassroots season, and she looked very solid in the game I saw on Sunday. The left-handed wing did an excellent job getting downhill and finding ways to finish around the basket. Place also has the footwork to work into space around the basket. Her length also allows her to defend around the basket defensively and force players to alter their shots in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769179"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e58964c8e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tagliapietra is an excellent athlete who I'd think will be participating in the State Track Meet in La Crosse. She has developed into a talented guard who can create for herself and score from all three levels. However, the more I've seen her, the more I've appreciated her leadership and poise on the floor. Her teammates listen to her and trust her to do the right thing on both ends, which speaks to the respect she's earned from her peers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1232213"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e58964c90e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cochenet has become one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2028 class, which is among the best classes the state has produced in my time. Cochenet is a versatile player who can play any role on the floor and be productive. She's athletic enough to defend multiple positions, creates with the ball in her hands, and is a better shooter than she may even realize. She has the tools to affect the game on both ends of the floor, and could be a player who draws interest as the grassroots season rolls on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1275661"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1e58964c92f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Menomonie native has had a breakout year stretching back to this past grassroots season. She is a physical athletic guard who can get to her spots with the ball in her hands and has shown she can play on the ball when needed. She is a well-rounded kid who can do a little of everything and help her team win on the margins. She is a player who could surprise people once she gets to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->