AAU Report: The hottest of the hot at the ‘Battle for Mom’
Ivory Finley of Top Flight 2021 and Jenna Guyer of Heat Vang both elevated their games in Farmington. I have watched Jenna Guyer play basketball numerous times over the past couple of years, as recently as three weeks ago in…
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Continue ReadingI have watched Jenna Guyer play basketball numerous times over the past couple of years, as recently as three weeks ago in St. Cloud. This was not the same Jenna Guyer I saw Saturday and Sunday in Farmington at the Minnesota Heat’s ‘Battle for Mom.’ Well it was the same person, but it was most definitely not the same player. The big post from Centennial and Heat Vang (2021) took it to a new level, one that will no doubt carry her into the Prep Girls Hoops rankings when the freshman update is released next week. The 6’1 forward might be a lot farther up the list by summer’s end.
“Honestly I think she is just kind of realizing that she can do the things that she did this weekend,” said Heat coach Kelly Vang. “I think things are starting to click for her. Not only is she demanding the basketball now, but I think she is very confident playing with Claire Johnson (also Centennial). She knows that Claire is going to get her the basketball when she is open, and I think that is why she is now working so much harder to get open.”
That extended effort was obvious in the two games I saw Jenna play. Guyer has always been big, but not terribly coordinated. That’s not unusual in junior high, of course, but it wasn’t real obvious that she wanted to be a serious basketball player. Yet Guyer would show glimpses of greatness from time to time, enough to tuck her name in the file labeled, ‘Watch Again.’ “I think it’s a matter of maturity,” Vang said, “and being comfortable with the players she is playing with. That’s a big part of it.”
Guyer scored at the rim with both hands on the weekend, demonstrating a soft touch and a scorer’s confidence. She knocked down some mid-range jump shots and ran the floor really well. We used to think of her as a more traditional center who would have to bully her way to the basket to be successful. We were wrong. “People have tried to make her into a back-to-the-basket kind of player but I don’t think that is really her game,” Vang said. “I think she’s better running the floor and getting into transition. Her ball handling has gotten so much better, she’s one of our better shooters from mid-range, and she’s becoming way more vocal on the floor and becoming a leader. It is fun to watch her come out of her shell a little bit.”
Here are four more who distinguished themselves at the ‘Battle for Mom.’
Paige Peaslee, 6’0, F, 8th, North Branch (Heat 8th Winey)
There are a lot of nice prospects in the Heat organization (Sam Sibbett, Jordyn Allen, Ella Janicki, etc.) but the player with perhaps the highest ceiling is 8th grader Paige Peaslee of North Branch. She is strong and athletic, runs the floor at pace and knows how to finish. Vang says Peaslee reminds her of former North Tartan forward Karly Murphy of D1 power Green Bay. “She’s just really good at going middle, going drop step, going baseline… all of them,” Vang said. “She has a true post jump shot where she can protect it and go high and finish over other players. I like her a lot!”
Lauren Maki, 5’8, F, 8th, Mountain Iron-Buhl (High Impact 8th Savela)
Mountain Iron-Buhl is a dominant team with a deep roster and a pair of high-end forwards in Mary Burke and Allie Negen – not exactly an easy situation for an 8th grader to get in on the action. But Lauren Maki did it. “It will be hard to keep her off the floor next year,” MIB coach Jeff Buffetta said of his long, athletic, tenacious prospect. “She has really started to emerge as our next good inside/outside threat.” Maki reminds us a lot of Burke, a top 15 player in the state. She has a nice jump shot and can guard players of all sizes and descriptions. She played on both the 8th and 9th grade teams for High Impact on the weekend.
Point guards Claire Johnson (left) of Heat Vang and Natalie Holte (right) of Stars DeSart were two of the best freshmen last weekend.Mia Ganyo, 5’6, G, soph., Mountain Iron-Buhl (High Impact 10th Briski)
Mia Ganyo was a mainstay in the MIB lineup this winter as the Rangers’ sixth player. The sophomore guard earned that playing time with shut-down defense and the ability to transition to offense at the lightning-quick pace Buffetta demands. She brings speed and aggressiveness to the floor and has the proverbial big motor. Although Ganyo has yet to become a legitimate scoring threat, there are signs that will change this summer. Next year she is a lock for MIB’s starting lineup and the numbers will no doubt follow.
Abby Kuboushek, 5’9, G, fresh., Prior Lake (Top Flight 2021)
It’s easy to overlook Abby Kuboushek in a Prior Lake lineup that includes McKenna Hofschild scoring a zillion points nightly. Abby is part of a talented freshman class for the Lakers that includes her AAU teammate Kate Traschel, guard Tatum Brostrom of Stars Hersch, and big post Emily Kulstad of Fury 2021 Gauntlet. Kaboushek showed us a lot this weekend at both ends of the floor. “Abby is a very good two-way player, and she can put points on the board,” said Top Flight coach Dan Egan, citing her rebounding prowess, willingness to mix it up inside, and ability to knock down shots. When her ball handling catches up to the rest of her game, Abby will be a pretty nice package.
Photo top: Jenna Guyer (left), Audrey Ensminger (middle) and Brynn Bauer (right) were among the Minnesota Heat players who left their mark at the ‘Battle for Mom’ in Farmington. (All photos courtesy of Jason Johnson)