IHSA State Tournament: Under the Radar (Part 2)
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State this year was nothing short of excitement. Each game was filled with passion, emotion, and just positive energy no matter the outcome. Champs were named, and buses were loaded a little early. Though these names didn’t land on an…
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Continue ReadingState this year was nothing short of excitement. Each game was filled with passion, emotion, and just positive energy no matter the outcome. Champs were named, and buses were loaded a little early. Though these names didn’t land on an “All-State” Team, they balled nonetheless.
Below is the first part of my Under the Radar Players for the IHSA State
’25 Nisha Musunuri | 5’8 Guard | Stevenson
A poised young guard who plays every possession with control and a great pace. Nisha’s IQ is upperclassmen like, she never seems rattled nor afraid of the moment when having to guard bigger opponents. She can run the point and or play off the ball… and still be effective. She plays controlled and disciplined defense on the opposite side of the ball as well.
’24 Avari Combes | 5’6 Guard | Civic Memorial
The sophomore guard plays with tons of poise but is relentless on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, she knows when and how to attack the gaps. If Combes isn’t scoring, she’s facilitating and making strong crisp passes to get her teammates going. She can also stretch the court and knock down shots beyond the arc.
’24 Yahaira Bueno | 5’6 Guard | Bolingbrook
A knockdown shooter, who has the handles and patience to disrupt an entire offense. Bueno’s game is unselfish and can translate to any type of offense. She can play as a spot-up shooter, or become the main ball handler and set everyone else up. An extensive skillset that goes under the radar if high numbers aren’t attached. Even coming off a significant knee injury, Bueno is still competing and playing at a top-level.
’22 Kelbie Zupan Kelbie Zupan 5'5" | PG Civic Memorial | 2022 State IL | 5’8 Guard | Civic Memorial
Zupan is able to make plays going either direction while also using both hands. She plays the game tough on both sides. Offensively, she can get going from the paint to the 3 when needed. Her IQ is on full display when she’s in attack mode, she draws a high amount of fouls.. which she can finish through or knockdown the free throws. Defensively she plays with the same type of aggression.
’23 Aubree Wallace | 5’3 Guard | Civic Memorial
The UMSL Commit (Soccer) Is a tough hard-nosed defender, that uses her size to stay up and under ball handlers, and her speed to blow past them on the other side. She plays the game with great tempo and poise. Wallace has great instincts on both sides of the ball but has a knack for chasing down rebounds even at a smaller size. Those same instincts are applied when she’s setting up her teammates for easy buckets.
’24 Anna Hartman Anna Hartman 5'6" | SG Carmel Catholic | 2024 IL | 5’6 Guard | Carmel
Aggressive, fast, quick, and high motored,Hartman’s skillset is defensive based but translates to offense with ease. She can rack up 4-6 steals a game by playing with her natural physicality, patience and toughness. Her high IQ mixed with those traits allows her to read pass lanes as the play is happening. She’s a disruptor. Offensively, she can attack the paint with the same aggression and also knock down the long ball. Her playmaking skills are due to her outstanding vision of the floor. A plug and play guard for any program.