News from the trading floor as AAU's Silly Season continues

If it's September, it must be Silly Season. That's my term for the time of year when the AAU horse traders are hard at work, and the rumor mill is on overtime, as some of the top players in the state move from one club to another. The games may be 6 months away but the competition is already fierce. It began a few weeks back with the news we brought you that two-time state champions Crossfire Theisen have disbanded. It continued this week with another stunner: Mackenzie Kramer of St. Michael-Albertville is leaving North Tartan 2020 to join rivals Minnesota Fury 2020 Blue. When you think about it, the move makes sense for Kramer. After all, she is one of the top three players in the class but was getting fewer minutes than you would expect for someone of that pedigree. Of course, that's not surprising considering she was playing behind Paige Bueckers of Hopkins, one of the top three 2020 players in the country. Although Kramer was reluctant to depart North Tartan, and coach Tara Starks didn't want to lose her, it's probably in the player's best interest long-term. The competition this summer between these two squads was intense to say the least as the Fury came closer than ever to beating Bueckers' bunch. It took a miracle play – ironically executed by Kramer – for North Tartan to pull off a state championship victory. Now, one supposes, the competition will be even tighter. The Fury have also added 6'1" forward Jayda Johnston of Roseville (#19), who had been playing up a year on the Crossfire squad. North Tartan has countered with the addition of #15-ranked Jasmine Smiley of Wayzata (from E1T1) and post Nyamer Diew of Worthington, who has long been considered to have elite potential. The Fury and North Tartan are not the only 2020 teams making changes. Scott Antl's Minnesota Stars have a big addition with point guard Abby Schulte of Maple Grove. Rated 18th in the latest class of 2020 rankings, the 5'10" Schulte gives Antl a nice one-two combination at the point with Aaliyah Ragulen of Park Center. The stars also added 6'3" post Cat Terres of Monticello, guard Gus Boyer of Waseca (#44) and post Jana Swanson of Cambridge (#52), who will be a force inside if she can stay healthy. To make up for the loss of Smiley and guard Kalena Myers of Apple Valley (#41), E1T1 has added Alaina Brenning of Rogers (#22) and Lydia Hay of Wayzata. Despite rumors to the contrary, guard Zhane Thompson of Burnsville (#16) returns along with #23 Alani Pettis of Minneapolis North. Nobody has the edge as 2021 shakes out The class of 2021 is an incredibly talented group, and it isn't exactly clear yet how things will shake out as North Tartan consolidates from three teams down to two. One thing is certain: the top Tartan squad, which will be led by University of St. Thomas coach Ruth Sinn, will not include #3 Nora Francois of De la Salle, #5 Kendall Coley of St. Louis Park, or #13 Takara Mason of Tartan H.S. All three are members of the former North Tartan Coley squad, which will now play under the banner of the Minnesota Suns. That's a big boost for the Suns' brand, and probably not the outcome North Tartan would have preferred. Sinn's team is likely to include 6'1" power forward Jenna Johnson of Wayzata (#6) along with Kendal Cox (#9) of STMA. Guards Ellie Dague (#4) of Henning and Jordan Lamker (#17) of Maple Grove will surely be in the mix. Sinn also managed to entice #19 Cassidy Carson of Eastview to join her from the Minnesota Stars. The second North Tartan squad will be coached by Macalester College point guard Grace Dickman, who is considered to be a very bright young basketball mind. One prominent 2021 who will no longer be wearing the NT logo is Helen Staley, the 12th-ranked player in the class. The 6' power forward from Rosemount has signed on with Fury 2021 Blue, a formidable addition to be sure. The Fury have also added forward Erin Lamb of Stewartville, ranked #10 in the class, to go with the likes of Kaylee Van Eps of Chaska (#2), Stillwater's Alexis Pratt (#15) and 6'4" post Sophie Hart of Farmington (#22). So where does that leave Josh Hersch's Minnesota Stars outfit? The Stars were the second-ranked team in the state among 2021s this summer behind Tayler Hill Elite. We weren't successful in getting information from THE about roster changes but we do know that former T. Hill guard Adalia McKenzie of Park Center (#18) is going to be in a Stars uniform. Hersch also added guard Paige Kindseth of Farmington (#15), a rising star in the class, and power forward Faith Alberts of Parkers Prairie (#21). With #7 Katie Borowicz, #11 Tamia Ugass, and #24 Katie Leisen, the team will have six of the top 25 in the class. Know about other AAU changes in the works? Drop me an email (portland2020@outlook.com) and we will follow up on the information. One more thing you need to know I have attended a lot of AAU open gyms and tryouts over the past few weeks. We appreciate the opportunity to evaluate players at these events so thanks to Nick Storm, Peter Long, Mark Smith, Josh Hersch, Michael Swann, Dante Rabb, Andy Meinhardt and the rest of the AAU folks for making us welcome. The highlight of the month came last weekend at a Minnesota Suns tryout. That's where I encountered 7th grader Lilly Brastad of Minneapolis, who showed up with her arm in a sling and her wrist in a cast. I assumed she was there to watch, but I was wrong. Lilly was there to do work! In fact, she worked her tail off, competing in every drill she could, and was the best 7th grade ball handler in the gym. She was also one of the top two or three shooters, even with one arm, and she never stopped smiling. I want that kid on my team!! Congratulations Lilly, and welcome to the Suns.