WISCONSIN — The popularity of women’s basketball is arguably in one of the best spot it’s ever been. Girls participating in the sport are feeling the impact.
What You Need To Know
- Women's basketball is causing girls' basketball leagues to grow
- Inferno 16U team plays all around the country
- Girls on the team look up to stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers
- Mallorie Werner wants to play at the collegiate level and be a role model
At the collegiate level, big names like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers are creating positive buzz for the younger generation.
The 16 and under Inferno girls’ national team plays around the country. Guard Mallorie Werner said the interest has grown in the short time she’s been playing.
“These women are doing incredible things,” Werner said. “It’s impacted me. It makes me want to try harder and makes me want to get to that level.”
Inferno head coach Ally Gwidt said the talent in girls’ basketball is much greater than it was in 2016 when she was in high school.
“It is truly amazing,” Gwidt said. “Not just the talent, but the competitiveness, the edge, the want, the will to do more. It’s really matching the men’s games and in a lot of ways.”
Another guard on the team, Taylor Lillie, said she used to play for fun. Now, she wants to play at the collegiate level.
“It’s much more than just a game now and it’s like more competitive,” Lillie said. “Obviously, the family aspect is crazy, but I think it’s way more competitive now and just means a lot more to people.”
Werner said seeing younger girls at their games reminds her of when she was their age.
“It puts a smile on my face when I see them cheering for us and posters that they make,” Werner said. “They come to almost all our games, even some away games, not just home games. It means a lot to know that I have their support.”
Werner and Lillie said they hope to be role models to the younger generation as they continue to progress in this growing sport that they’ve grown to love.