A Look Inside Our Team Rankings Update for June 1

<p>Some of you may have noticed that we’ve been rolling out our updated club team rankings this week—from 2018 on up to 2021—timed to mark the end of the 1st 1/3 of the summer season. Which teams played the furthest above their previously established level?</p> <p><strong>2018</strong></p> <p>We haven’t taken too many liberties with the 2018s. The AAU results are a good reflection of the pecking order among these teams. Still, we think <strong>the Cyclones</strong> are underrated. They won the championship of Division 2, and they played better ball than a good number of D1 entries.</p> <p>But, Pools G and H in the Prelims were loaded with many of the best of the teams below #8. In Pool G, the Rise and the Cyclones were probably top 14 teams along with their pool winner, Force Wyse. But even in a tough pool, the Cyclones underperformed. As Tom Critchley, Jr., whose dad and brother coached the team and whose 2 daughters play for the Cyclones, said, the team had barely had a practice before taking the floor in the Prelim. So they won just 1 of 3 and tumbled into D2.</p> <p>They had to work to win D2, winning their last 3 games by 8, 5 and 4 points But, work and win is what they did. Nicole Herbranson excelled, scoring 17 ppg in the Prelim and 14 in the Tournament while guard Kylea Praska played well, and “bigs” Grace Steichen, Breanna Price and Lily Pearson did, too.</p> <p>Force Wyse and Crossfire Erlien also played above their prior level. The Force went 5-2 in the Prelim and the AAU tournament to finish 11th as Molly Wenner led the way. Crossfire Erlien upset #1 seed Heat Vang to avenge a Prelim loss and to get to the final of D2, where they lost to the Cyclones. Katrina Theis of CFE and Thea Kluge of Heat Vang had great tournaments.</p> <p><strong>2019</strong></p> <p>2 teams in particular played above their previous level during the AAU process. In the 2019s, those are Stars Buerman and MN Energy. Stars Buerman finished 9th in the AAU to jump from #18 to #10 in our rankings. Guard Lindsey Reps led the way.</p> <p>The Energy was seeded into Pool C, which meant that a 41-30 loss to the Comets Elite relegated them to D2. In D2, they won all 4 games, including a 54-42 championship game win over North Tartan 10th Elite. The dynamic wing Zaraya March was the Energy’s top player. They finished #15 (1st in D2 behind the 14 teams in D1), but we have them rated #9.</p> <p>Beyond that, we also mucked with the ratings at #1 and #2. North Tartan 10th EYBL took the championship after finishing 4th at the Prelims. They clobbered Fury Blue in the final, but the 2 teams split a pair of games in the 2 tournaments. And, the Fury has been better historically. So we think Tartan has to win a rubber game in order to move up to #1. It’s just like PGA golf. Phil could win a tournament now and again, but Tiger was still #1.</p> <p><strong>2020</strong></p> <p>Among the 2020s, United distinguished itself perhaps more than any other team in the Tournament. They were unimpressive in the Prelim, however, losing 2 of 3 to fall to the #24 seed. But, they won 3 games, beating High Impact Briski 45-39 in the semi. They lost to Force Wilson in the final 57-41. Point guard Joelle Talso was their top performer.</p> <p>But, Force Wilson was of course better, winning 7 of 8 between the Prelim and the Tournament. A loss to Comets Select sent them to D2, but they then won 6 in a row to win D2. Point guard Amari Piepkorn was their leader.</p> <p>Suns P.Long/Michaud didn’t play in the AAU Prelims or Tournament, and we dropped them out of the top 20. In hindsight, that seems a bit extreme. So, they’re back at #15. Point guard Tianna Iserman has gotten some good reviews.</p> <p><strong>2021</strong></p> <p>Among the 8ths, Fury Gold played above of its previous level. The Gold won D2 and moved from #19 to #10 in the rankings. A loss to Lady Get Shook in the Prelims dropped them all the way down to #21 and D2. There they beat Stars Carli, Crossfire Herman, Comets Blue and So Minn Fury by an average of 30 ppg. Jayla Reliford and Melissa Honnold led the way.</p> <p><strong>Stock Raisers</strong></p> <p>So, along with their teams, the following were among the girls who raised their profile and their stock during the 2017 AAU season.</p> <p>“Big”—Katerina Theis, 2018, 5-11, Maple Grove and Crossfire Erlien</p> <p>Forward—Zaraya March, 2019, 5-9, Bloomington Kennedy and Energy</p> <p>Point Guard—Jayla Reliford, 2021, 5-7, Cooper and Fury Gold</p> <p>Shooting Guard—Nicole Herbranson, 2018, 5-9, Barnesville and Cyclones</p> <p>Shooting Guard—Lindsey Reps, 2019, 5-7, Red Wing and Stars Buerman</p> <p> </p> <p>“Big”—Grace Steichen, 2017, 5-10, Dilworth-GF and Cyclones</p> <p>Forward—Thea Kluge, 2018, 5-10, Chisago and Heat Vang</p> <p>Point Guard—Amari Piepkorn, 2020, 5-6, CHOF and Force Wilson</p> <p>Shooting Guard—Joelle Talso, 2020, 5-7, Spring Lake Park and United</p> <p>Shooting Guard—Molly Wenner, 2018, 5-8, Park and Force Wyse</p>