Mia Huberty is blowing up in time for the Summer Xplosion
There is no need to light a fire under Mia Huberty. Just toss the ball up in the air and watch the freshman from Big Lake burn down the gym with a level of intensity that is second-to-none. You can see it for yourself this weekend when Huberty and her Suns 2021 Long teammates compete at the Summer Xplosion in St. Louis Park. If she plays anything like she did last weekend in Bloomington, you will no doubt be impressed. “Mia has an incredibly high energy level, and she may have the highest basketball IQ of anyone who has played for me since Taylor Paulsrud,” said coach Peter Long. “She’s got a high motor that just doesn’t wear down. Because we see her so much we just expect it from her every game. That’s just what she does.”
Mia Huberty of Big Lake is headed for the top 50 in the class of 2021.Huberty is a solid, all-around talent. She rarely turns the ball over, is calm under pressure and her productivity is impressive. Mia was a major factor at Big Lake throughout her freshman year. The trouble is, her Hornets and Suns teammate Caela Tighe tends to attract most of the attention because of her athleticism and scoring prowess. Meanwhile, the 5’9 Huberty is down in the trenches making things happen in ways that coaches appreciate and fans overlook. Tighe, a top 25 prospect, has been out of action for about six weeks now with a fracture in her foot. While that hasn’t helped the team, it has definitely raised Huberty’s profile and thrust her into the spotlight.
“With her high school team she is usually assigned to the top ball handler from the other squad,” Long said. “We started that way this spring but we soon realized that she has got moves and can create for herself and create for others. She’s got a nice up-and-under, she can finish around the rim and she shoots the ball pretty well. What we have done now is pull her out of that defensive role some – we pick the right moments for her to do that – so that she can showcase some of her offensive talents.”
At the Summer Kickoff, Huberty averaged just under 10 points per game. If we had access to a more comprehensive set of stats you can be sure they would reveal impressive numbers of assists and steals, as well. Huberty moved up 15 spots to #67 when we updated the class of 2021 rankings following the high school season. Since that time, her level of play has spiked again. With her size, skill set and smarts she has clearly demonstrated that she is a scholarship-level prospect.
“With Caela being out it has definitely increased Mia’s minutes and put more of a burden on her shoulders to produce offensively. Nobody has ever asked her to do that before, but she is willing to accept that role,” Long said. “Her all-around game is just solid. There really are not very many weaknesses.”
Another intriguing prospect to watch on Long’s team is Rai’Janee Meadows of Roseville. The 5’9 wing is uber-athletic and plays with passion and intensity. Yes, she is unorthodox – and her fundamentals are a work in progress – but Rai’Janee is improving fast. Meadows is a natural scorer who was consistently in the 20-30 point range this season playing JV for Jeff Crosby’s defense-first Raiders. “She is so gifted athletically,” says Long. “While she is definitely raw that dogged determination makes up for what’s lacking. She’s willing to put in the work and I think her future is huge.”
Kendal Cox of North Tartan 9th Sinn is one of the players to watch this weekend at the Suns Summer Xplosion. (Photo courtesy of the StarTribune)North Tartan Sinn may be the team to see
The primary Summer Xplosion games this year will be played at St. Louis Park High School with secondary games in Wayzata. The top Ohio State division features 16 teams and spans three grade levels. The most talented team there is also the youngest – North Tartan 9th Sinn. They open play Saturday against NDPro 2020 from North Dakota at 11:30 a.m. on court 3. The Sinn lineup includes elite prospects such as Jenna Johnson of Wayzata, Cassidy Carson of Eastview, Kendal Cox of St. Michael-Albertville and Jordan Lamker of Maple Grove. They also have two of the best 8th graders around in C.J. Adamson of Rochester Lourdes and Mara Braun of Wayzata. Ruth Sinn’s crew fell in the 2021 state championship game to Stars 9th Hersch by a single point. Don’t be surprised if they make a run for the money this weekend, as well.
Photo top: Minnesota Suns 2021 Long features Mia Huberty of Big Lake (wearing #13) and Rai’Janee Meadows of Roseville (#23).