Players to Watch: Heart O’North Conference
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As the season gets closer and we continue looking at conferences it’s time to head back up north to preview the Heart O’North Conference. Last season this conference was sneakily very good, especially at the top of it. With St.…
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Continue ReadingAs the season gets closer and we continue looking at conferences it’s time to head back up north to preview the Heart O’North Conference. Last season this conference was sneakily very good, especially at the top of it. With St. Croix Falls winning the conference last year and finishing just one win shy of state, this conference is probably closer to the top of their divisions than they’re given credit for. These are the players that have the ability to really shine in their conference this season.
Raemalee Smith Raemalee Smith 5'8" | PG Ladysmith | 2023 WI -5’8 G-’23-Ladysmith: Following an impressive sophomore campaign scoring over 20 points a game Smith is looking to take another leap this season. Smith was a massive part of the Ladysmith offense scoring a massive chunk of her team’s 49.4 points a game. Her play plays maybe the biggest role in the Lumberjack’s success than anyone in the state. The one bonus of watching her play you get the full picture of what kind of player she is. Improvement for her this year will be interesting because there is a good chance that her numbers will reflect her improvement due to her offensive load and usage.
Maddie Wall-5’4 G-’22-Cameron: Wall is one of the best creators in the conference and helps her offense function as best as it can. She is also a solid on-ball defender where she gets the majority of her 2.9 steals a game. Wall has an inconsistent offensive game, possibly due to some struggles with her size. That being said on her night she can score as well as anyone in the conference, she has just been a touch too inconsistent. If she solves her inconsistency issues her senior season however she can really pop this season.
Brianna McCurdy-5’7 G-’23-St. Croix Falls: McCurdy is one of the players in for a very telling season. She is going to play for a St. Croix Falls team that was just one game away from winning sectionals. Coming off of a conference title the Saints will need a lot from the rising junior to contend to repeat their feats from a season to go. McCurdy was solid a season ago in a smaller role, but if she can step up to a more lead role and continue the good stuff she’s been doing she may start to rise up some boards.
Tieryn Plasch Tieryn Plasch 5'7" | CG Northwestern | 2023 State WI -5’6 G-’23-Northwestern: Plasch is one of the most efficient players offensively in the state of Wisconsin. Her numbers speak for themselves almost 20 points and five assists a game, and boasting almost a two to one assist to turnover ratio shows how well she takes care of the ball even with her high usage. Plasch’s shooting and ability to create makes her a lot like a swiss army knife, she can do a ton of things and fits in most roles a coach could give. For the rest of her time in high school, she may always have to fight off the perception of northern Wisconsin basketball, but if anyone can do it she can.