A look at UW-Oshkosh’s Homegrown 2022 Recruiting Class (So Far)

Earlier this week Wrightstown guard [player_tooltip player_id="204129" first="Leah" last="Lemke"] announced that she’s committed to UW-Oshkosh, becoming the 7th PGH Wisconsin ranked player to join Brad Fischer’s 2022 recruiting class. With so much talent talent headed Oshkosh’s way, I wanted to do a little write up to summarize exactly what Fischer’s getting. Here we go! <span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="204121" first="Kate" last="Huml"] | Janesville-Craig | Guard</strong> </span> Huml is a pure two-guard. She provides the kind of spacing, creation off the catch, and off-speed dribble moves that slightly undersized off-guards need to excel at the next level. On any given night, she can be the most lethal scorer on a Big 8 floor that features some of the best guard talents in the state. She’s also demonstrated sharpness as a creator for others, operating well off pick-and-roll actions in limited opportunities. Again, her handle and change-of-pace dribbling provide a welcome wrinkle to any offensive set where she’s the primary ball-handler. Without question, her most translatable skills are her shooting and her defensive upside. She’s highly efficient from beyond the arc with a consistent and quick release that also translates to the midrange and short game. Her shooting will be the first bullet on the scouting report, but it’s her underrated defensive presence at the point of attack that is sure to excite coach Fischer. Her lateral quickness and active hands are evident, but her endlines speed allow her to recovery quickly and thus be a riskier pest on ball-handlers. In unison with her positional awareness, Huml has the chance to become a coach’s player real soon. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132374" first="Mahra" last="Wieman"] | Reedsburg | Wing/Forward </strong> The conversation with Wieman starts and ends with her raw ability to get buckets in any way, shape, or form. Her ability to react to the various ways defenses cover is her foremost sign of growth over the course of her high school career. Against switching defense, she can get to the post and has the footwork/strength combo to give a defender hell. When the opposition treats her as a power foward, she’s rovering around the arc and between the corners to find space and rip a three. And while Wieman’s impressive scoring mark is sure to make an impact in Oshkosh, her unselfishness as a connector in half-court sets will allow her to contribute regardless of the PPG average. Her high IQ makes her a valuable piece in the frontcourt given her place as a freshman and the mouths to feed offensively. She’s also a perennial transition threat, spacer, and general hooper that’ll make the Kolf Sports Center sing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="262971" first="Sarah" last="Hardwick"] | Notre Dame | Forward</strong> Hardwick’s savvy in the post and smarts as a help-defender make her an effective and adaptable player, attributes that aren’t very flashy on the box score but make a real impact on winning games. She creates a ton of chaos on the backside of her post-ups, using her strength to gain post-positioning on one side of the block while clearing out space on the other. She reliably makes herself an option/outlet for Notre Dame’s guards, a complementary skill that some of the guards on this list will grow to appreciate once they become teammates. To expand on a previous point, a minute detail that could be extremely consequential when it comes to gaining minutes as an underclass player, Hardwick’s head is always on a swivel, always gauging her positioning between her matchup and ball. Given her length and defensive commitment, this small detail becomes an importnat factor in gauging Hardwick’s two-way upside and playability. Some nerd stuff, but really engaging and consequential at the margins. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="204130" first="Avery" last="Poole"] | Monona Grove | Guard</strong> Poole adds an element of one-on-one creation that complements the skillsets of some of the other recruits, especially Huml and [player_tooltip player_id="204138" first="Mallory" last="Lindsey"]. Her understanding of attacking angles amplifies her balance and ability to manipulate a defenders movements to create space. Surrounded by capable shooting and high-IQ bigs, Poole will have a chance to reach a new level of her game given her development in what has been an impressive environment for growth in Oshkosh. I’m curious/excited to see what Poole can become as a passer. She’s currently operates as a score-first combo-guard, but has the creativity to be something even more dangerous. Her herky-jerky (and that’s a compliment), misidrection style of offense may not immediatlely translate cleanly to the next level, but once she adjusts to the speed of the game and level of defensive intensity, she can use those attributes to maximize the Oshkosh offense. An incredibly exciting prospect who I can’t wait to rise teh collegiate ranks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="204129" first="Leah" last="Lemke"] | Wrightstown | Guard</strong> Lemke’s a hooper’s hooper. Her handle and shiftiness on the ball commands respect from her defenders. Her ability to leave the first level of defense in the dust will be appreciated, especially if her transition and interior passing translate against bigger, quicker opposition. She’s already demonstrated a pechant for finding open shooters and aligning the timing of her passes with the speed with which those shooters roll off screens, it’s a matter of adjusting to a significantly different level of competition for Lemke. But Lemke’s greatest contribution off the cuff may end up being her point-of-attack defense. The same twitchiness that makes the senior guard a lethal on-ball threat offensively translates to the opposite end of the court. She can reliably shadow quick guards and routinely covers the necessary ground to neutralize high-ball screens. Another two-way potential lands in Oshkosh. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="262983" first="Mayah" last="Holzhueter"] | Cambridge | Guard/Wing/Forwar</strong>d Holzhueter’s size and fluidity can make an immediate impact for the Titans next season. Though listed as a forward, her operation along the perimeter and decisiveness driving to the basket align more with a guard’s skillset. She doesn’t have the cleanest handle, and she doesn’t ooze creativity on the ball, but Holzheuter’s instincts attacking the paint and nose for the ball put her in prime scoring positions. Her multi-functional length is also an exciting factor for the next level. She can guard the post effectively, using that length to nullify strength disadvantages and force tough shots. Offenisvely, she launches layups and runners at high release points without sacrificing accuracy/control. And while her handle has room to grow, she’s comfortable passing over the top of her matchup, especially in transition or when breaking a press. A great foundation with room to grow. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="204138" first="Mallory" last="Lindsey"] | Mineral Point | Guard</strong> Finally, lets talk Lindsey. One of the leaders of Mineral Point’s undefeated 2022 campaign (thus far), Lindsey’s composure and shooting touch have routinely gotten the most out of MP’s offense. She’s an elite floor spacer with awesome shooting readiness and consistent mechanics. This readiness allows her to shoot cleanly when presented with the opportunity to do so, but also explode off the catch and attempt to create off the bounce. She organizes the offense quickly and efficiently, playing the high school game as though there were a shot-clock. Coach Fischer will love this quality about her. And despite her incredible marksmanship, her default modus operatus is as a pass-first guard who picks and chooses her opportunities, optimizing the offense without sacrificing what makes her so special. Though undersized for a lead guard, the benefits of playing her simply outweight the potential costs.