2023 Rankings: Guard Prospects

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Following the forwards’ piece yesterday, today is all about some under-the-radar guards. The players I’ll mention, I believe, will become excellent college players. </span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="156077" first="Annika" last="Pluemer"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Brookfield East guard is a complete two-way guard. When I got to see her play last season, she seemed to understand her role in the grand scheme of things. Pluemer was the primary source of both offensive output and creation, and she paired that with elite perimeter defense. The guard has the tools to help schools at the next level continue to win because she’s made winning plays on good teams for years now.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="206727" first="Trinity" last="Mocadlo"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I could type up a 15-page essay on what makes Mocadlo an excellent prospect. She’s all about winning and will sacrifice every step of the way for her team. She didn’t start a game as a junior but still affected winning every time she stepped on the floor. Everyone who’s talked to me about Mocadlo has emphasized that she never showed any disgruntlement. I’d venture to guess more than half of high school kids with her talent and her situation would be upset about not starting, not Mocadlo. She loves the game and wants to win every game she plays, and her actions and attitude back that up.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="206579" first="Bella" last="Samz"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ll never forget what Samz did in an early-season win against Neenah at Kettle Moraine. She’s strong with the ball, doesn’t make many mistakes, and hits big shots when needed. Nothing seems to overwhelm her on the floor. Teams can send multiple bodies to get the ball out of her hands, and she calmly passes the ball to her open teammate, wherever they may be. She’s an uber-competitive kid who will do anything she has to do to win.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="156081" first="Madilyn" last="Dogs"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ll be honest and say I have no idea what position suits Dogs the best, but I know she can defend guards at a high level. I love how she moves her feet on the perimeter and has the defensive versatility to switch onto anyone 1-5. Defensively, she’s ready for the next level right now. I don’t know many other kids who can do what she does defensively in the state.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="206580" first="Taylor" last="Jacobson"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ve loved the confidence Jacobson has played with this spring. She’s a 5-foot-10 wing with the skill to score and defend at a high level. Jacobson has the confidence to attack teams and the poise to take what the defense gives her. If teams want to run her off the 3-point line, she can take a one-dribble 15-footer, get to the basket, and throw ridiculous passes. Defensively, I’ve seen her take the challenge of defending other teams’ best players and rarely look out of place. Few kids did more for themselves this spring than Jacobson.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="329575" first="Adrienne" last="Kirch"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Of all the under-the-radar kids, Kirch may be my personal favorite. She’s someone who understands what her team needs from her and stars in that role. I’ll always believe Kirch has more than what shows at McFarland, just because the guard sacrifices for the betterment of her team. She’ll likely be a small school kid at the next level, but her presence alone will make her a valuable player to any school that lands her. She loves the game, and everything people tell me about her is how hard she works to get better, and when coaches see that firsthand they’ll love her.</span>