Metro Classic Conference: Preview
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Metro Classic Conference: Preview Racine Lutheran finished first in conference play last season with a 16-0 record. The team was led by graduate and Minnesota commit Caroline Strande Caroline Strande 5'11" | CG Racine Lutheran | 2020 State WI .…
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Racine Lutheran finished first in conference play last season with a 16-0 record. The team was led by graduate and Minnesota commit Caroline Strande Caroline Strande 5'11" | CG Racine Lutheran | 2020 State WI . She earned Player Of The Year and First Team. While she will be a loss for Racine Lutheran, the team returns standout forward and First Team selection Morgann Garnder. The Nebraska Omaha commit put up huge numbers last season and will only play a larger role this season on both ends of the court. Nevaiah Bell- Tenner will see big minutes for this team as well- she earned Second Team last season.
Martin Luther finished 13-3 last season and was second in conference play. The team was led by dynamic duo Sydney Burris and Vanesa Solano Vanesa Solano 5'5" | PG Martin Luther | 2021 State WI . Solano, a returning senior earned First Team last season and will be key to leading her team to the top spot in conference play. Martin Luther junior Abby Hafemann and sophomore Ava Hoppert earned Honorable Mention and will be key athletes this season. Freshman guard Amaya Bridgewater Amaya Bridgewater 5'10" | CG Pius XI | 2024 WI will also be looked to step up and play some key minutes this season.
Dominican finished third in conference play with a 11-5 record. The team was led by graduate and Second Team select Iyana Simmons, as well as graduate point guard Olivia Miada. This year the team will rely on mostly underclassmen to lead them to success this season. Victoria Okoro and Alicia Burgos– a dynamic duo in their sophomore season, will be crucial in putting points on the board and getting stops defensively. Alicia Burgos finished third in the conference in rebounding as a freshman.
Take a look at a few returning athletes in the conference posed to make an impact this season.
Morgann Gardner Morgann Gardner 6'1" | PF Racine Lutheran | 2021 State WI | Racine Lutheran | Senior | 6’1 F
A dominant prospect with so much upside- Gardner is so difficult to stop when she is in rhythm. She’s really become a three level scorer with the ability to impact from deep, mid range and finishing strong on the glass. Last season she averaged 16.6 points per game and knocked down nearly 30 three point baskets. She is a lethal option in the pick-and-roll because she can pop and make jump shots or even drive to the rim. She shows great versatility and the ability to pick up on different moves easily. A fierce rebounder as well, Gardner grabbed 8 rebounds per game.
Vanesa Solano Vanesa Solano 5'5" | PG Martin Luther | 2021 State WI | Martin Luther | Junior | 5’5 PG
Solano is an intelligent point guard with a great feel for the game. She has a high basketball IQ and knows how to make her teammates better. She can handle the ball and is composed and patient. Last season she averaged a quiet 12.4 points per game and showed off impressive court vision each night. She averaged 3.6 assists per game and found her teammates so well. Her ability to create a game with and without the ball makes her such a special player. Solano can also knock it down from deep and make 58 three point baskets during her sophomore season.
Lindsay Kirby | St. Thomas More | Senior | 5’9 G
Kirby is coming off a huge summer where she added so much to her game and showed how versatile she is as a basketball player. She has a great feel for the game and can put up big numbers for this St. Thomas More squad. Last season she led her team in scoring with 15.8 points per game. She has a quick and explosive first step when driving to the basket. She has great athleticism that makes her dominant in the open court. She can knock down the three point basket as well and is most impressive off the catch as her shot is smooth and precise. A solid rebounder as well, Kirby averaged nearly 6 boards as well.
Julia Klein | Catholic Central | Junior | 5’7 G
Klein finished third on her team in scoring as a sophomore by averaging 8 points per game. She has solid and impressive handles when attacking the rim. She has crafty dribble moves when getting her teammates open as swell. Klein will have to play a bigger leadership role this season and use her court vision to find her teammates open. Klein will have to add some consistency to her perimeter shot as well as she seemed to gain some confidence late last season.
Victoria Okoro | Dominican | Sophomore | 5’11 F
Okoro finished her freshman year averaging nearly 11 points per game. She scored over 15 points six times during her first year as a varsity athlete. A strong presence in the lane- Okoro is dominant and intense on the floor. She has great pace and her shot selection is elite. Okoro showed tremendous footwork on both ends of the floor- her post defense is elite. She does a great job holding the defender and chasing down boards. She averaged 7.6 rebounds per game.
Makayla Blanc Washington | Kenosha St. Joseph’s | Sophomore | 5’10 G
Blanc Washington averaged 10 points per game last season. A versatile guard, she can play inside the lane and on the perimeter. She has impressive handles for someone her size and ability to attack the rim and finish effectively. A confident guard as well, Blanc Washington is not afraid to knock down the shot from behind the arc. She has solid court vision and ability to get her teammates involved. She averaged 2 assists per game. She will be a key player for the teams success this season and her high energy and motor will make her teammates better as well.