Class of 2024: Breakout Candidates

Today, I want to highlight a few breakout candidates in Wisconsin's 2024 class. Plenty of kids who can have a statement season and draw the plaudits of their peers, opposing coaches, members of the media, and college coaches. I treat breakout candidates as kids with no collegiate offers or two public offers. With that said, let's talk about a few breakout candidates.   [player_tooltip player_id='521876' first='Paige' last='Seckar']    <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15457024/62c500cfb53f930b9c6d27f3" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15457024/62c500cfb53f930b9c6d27f3">Paiges' Sophomore Season Highlights</a>   In the Fox Valley, it feels like talent is on every corner, and in the FVA, that's true. Every team in the FVA last season has at least one player with a scholarship offer to play at the D2 level or higher, and for Oshkosh West, that player is [player_tooltip player_id='521876' first='Paige' last='Seckar']. The 6-foot wing popped during the final live period in July. The Wildcat can handle the ball, score from all three levels, defend one through five, and led the FVA in blocked shots last season. In that conference, it's easy to get overshadowed if you're not on one of the best teams in the region but learn her name. She has a chance to be one of the better 2024s in Wisconsin.   [player_tooltip player_id='266988' first='MiKayla' last='Werner']    <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14763511/62463baed21c97056842e036" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14763511/62463baed21c97056842e036">MiKayla's Sophomore Season Highlights</a>   After I saw the Hortonville forward record a double-double in a road victory against Appleton East last season, it became clear she was a winner at heart. Werner isn't someone who plays for highlights. All she does is make winning plays. She sets good screens, is a good roller, made 40% of her 3-pointers last season, defends in the paint and on the perimeter, and creates extra possessions. Werner has a versatile athlete who can fit in countless different roles, and that'll become clear during this high school season.   [player_tooltip player_id='266982' first='Lila' last='Posthuma']    <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15227440/624260db7bd35f08d8824ee6" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15227440/624260db7bd35f08d8824ee6">Lila's Sophomore Season Highlight's</a>   Some kids who stoically play the game get labeled as someone without passion. That's a criticism I've heard about Posthuma, and I couldn't disagree with that assessment more. That viewpoint has harmed kids in the 2023 class, and I'll nip that in the bud with Posthuma today. I think Posthuma plays with a ton of poise on both ends and plays in control, which should get rewarded more than it is in the game. I'd trust her to run an offense, take crucial shots, and defend the other team's best player regardless of position. You won't find many 6-foot wings who can play anywhere and against anyone. Posthuma also isn't someone who runs from the competition. She loves being challenged and rising to the occasion. She's a fighter.   [player_tooltip player_id='266986' first='Molly' last='Janke']    <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/317735/628fe742b53f930b389e3619" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/317735/628fe742b53f930b389e3619">Molly's NIKE Spring Classic Highlights</a>   Every time I saw film of Janke, or saw her in person over the summer, her athleticism jumped out at me. She's an extraordinary athlete and is one of the most physically strong players in the 2024 class. I don't see how she isn't one of the most versatile defenders in her class with her strength and athleticism. That athletic ability, paired with her rebounding, create transition offense by being herself. On the offensive end, she's efficient and effective with high volume. I believe she's one of the best shooters in the state, but it may get overlooked because she doesn't shoot like you'd expect her to, but make no mistake, she'll beat teams out there again this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='444780' first='Lucy' last='Leininger']    <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17089818/6226538c041dfc0f944da8ce" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17089818/6226538c041dfc0f944da8ce">Lucy's Sophomore Season Highlights</a>   Over the past 12 months, Leininger is arguably the most improved player in the state. Defensively, she's excellent. Had I named an all-state defensive team in the preseason. She'd likely be on that list. Offensively is where she has the most room for improvement. I don't think we'll see her at her best offensively at Germantown because she's that raw on that end, but we'll see flashes from her. That could be her running a fastbreak finished with a pinpoint pass or making an excellent move in the mid-post area. Regardless, her play is the x-factor in the Warhawks' season.   [player_tooltip player_id='209598' first='Brynn' last='Kirch']    The one thing that creates the most unknown about a player is injuries, and unfortunately, that sums up Kirch's last eight-ish months. I think she's one of the best point guards in the Madison area, and it's not particularly debatable. The way Kirch can affect the game is unique because she understands the game at a higher level. She doesn't hold the ball for too long, makes excellent passes, forces the defense to react to her, is a disruptive defender, and is an elite rebounder at her position. Depending on how far the Spartans advance this season, Kirch has a chance to make a name for herself in the postseason against other elite guards.   [player_tooltip player_id='209602' first='Addison' last='Pytleski']    I like that Pytleski can fit on any team and play any role you ask of her. She loves to defend, pays attention to every minute detail, and exploits every weakness her opponents have. Pytleski can play both guard positions and can play with other talented kids. She doesn't need to be in the play to stay engaged and has already excelled against scholarship-level kids older than her. It also doesn't hurt that she isn't afraid to take clutch shots late in games. I believe coaches will love all the little things she does on both ends.

Today, I want to highlight a few breakout candidates in Wisconsin's 2024 class. Plenty of kids who can have a statement season and draw the plaudits of their peers, opposing coaches, members of the media, and college coaches. I treat breakout candidates as kids with no collegiate offers or two public offers. With that said, let's talk about a few breakout candidates.