Check Me Out recap: The best of the best in Minneapolis

If you want to be the best you have to do battle with the best. That’s certainly the attitude that feisty 8th grader Shania Nichols-Van Nett brought to the Check Me Out Showcase over the weekend in Minneapolis. In a gym full of talented players and influential evaluators, the little point guard from St. Paul Como Park seized her big moment and drained a huge three over the best junior in the country, drawing an enthusiastic roar from the crowd. It was the first time she had faced Paige Bueckers. “It was fun. I wasn’t intimidated by her or anything,” said Nichols-Van Nett. “I think it’s terrific for kids to come out and play here. If you want to have competition and go against good people this is the place to come. If you keep coming to this camp you are going to get better.” Nichols-Van Nett was one of many Minnesota players who impressed at the event at the Colin Powell Center, which attracted nearly 100 players from across the country. In addition to Bueckers – the Hopkins guard who is rated as the #1 junior in the nation by ESPN Hoopgurlz – the field included top 10 prospect Leilani Kapinus of Madison, Wisc., along with Maryland commit Zoe Young of Des Moines. Those girls have already earned their stripes. For younger players like Nichols-Van Nett, it was an opportunity to show their stuff. It didn’t take long for event director Chris Hansen to figure out that Shania, who was an impact varsity player last winter as a 7th grader, didn’t belong with the junior high kids. After being moved up into the top group, she demonstrated the kind of ball handling, shooting and defensive intensity she displayed all summer for Stars 2023 Hersch. “I think they did that because I play higher than my grade level and I work harder than most players my age. Everything I do is 110 percent,” said Nichols-Van Nett, who most surely does not lack for confidence. “I like to shoot. I’m very quick. If I have a fast break it’s mine.” She can also defend. “I do take pride in that. I will beat you to every single spot. If there is a ball in front of me within the next 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 feet I am getting it.” Shania wasn’t the only player who impressed on the weekend. Here are a few more. [caption id="attachment_12480" align="alignleft" width="197"] Trainer Ashley Corral of Seattle and Team USA guard Paige Bueckers of Hopkins had an epic game of horse at the conclusion of Saturday's action that was worth the price of admission on its own.[/caption] Lauren Frost, junior, Park Center The 5’8 guard from Fury 2020 Gauntlet demonstrated once again why she is a top 20 player in the junior class. Frost has never been flashy. She’s subtle and smart, moving the ball effectively, beating defenders one-on-one when she needs to and scoring in multiple different ways. She is surrounded by great athletes and talented teammates at both Park Center and the Fury and, as a result, sometimes gets overlooked despite scoring nearly 10 points per game. Frost does the little things coaches love, though, and is a surefire D1 player in our opinion Zoie Centers, freshman, Mahtomedi The 5’4 guard from MN/WI Force emerged this summer as a player to watch. It might be some time before we see her in a varsity uniform but the combo guard showed nice ball handling skills and the ability to control the pace of play. She has quick feet, plays with intelligence and has a good motor. Zoie looked very much at home on the court with far more heralded players who are accustomed to performing under a microscope. Centers has a ways to go but she is improving fast. We will be watching. Lani Schoper, freshman, Mankato West The 5’9 combo guard is a couple of weeks into the 9th grade but she has already made an impact at Mankato West, playing a key role for the Scarlets as they made it to the state tournament last winter in class 3A. The North Tartan Scalia player is a skilled athlete who knows how to handle the ball, has a high IQ, and can score inside or out. She’s also a very unselfish player – perhaps too unselfish at times – who makes everyone around her better. Perhaps Schoper’s best asset is her defensive tenacity. She is projected as a starter this winter. Sydney White, junior, Andover The 5’8 shooting guard has long been a scoring machine. She led Andover in that department last winter and made a ton of big baskets this summer for Stars 2020 Antl. White is fast. She excels in a high-tempo transition game and knows how to finish. Her pull-up jump shot is deadly. White was a top 25 player in the 2020 class a couple of years ago but took a bit of a dip in her freshman year as she struggled to adapt to the high school game. Last year she returned to form, becoming a more patient, more polished player. This summer Sydney proved once again that she is a scholarship-level prospect. Others Minnesota players who impressed <ul> <li>Ruby Carlson – 5’5 guard, freshman, Orono (43 Hoops)</li> <li>Alivia Arnabeck – 5’6 guard, junior, Wayata (E1T1 Premier)</li> <li>Kaylynn Asberry – 5’6 guard, freshman, Como Park (Ballin’ Pretty)</li> <li>Caela Tighe – 6’0 guard, sophomore, Big Lake (Suns Long)</li> <li>Maddy Rice – 5’9 guard, senior, Forest Lake (Fury 2019 Yellow)</li> <li>Molly Lenz – 5’5 point guard, 8th grade, Eden Prairie (Fury 2023 Blue)</li> <li>Selam Maher – 5’7 guard, freshman, Hopkins (Lady Get Shook)</li> <li>Leah Dengerud – 5’8 guard, freshman, DeLaSalle (UVA Lady Rebels)</li> <li>Cherish Henderson – 5’4 point guard, soph., Holy Angels (MN PREP)</li> <li>Jayla Reliford – 5’4 guard, sophomore, Osseo (43 Hoops)</li> </ul>   Top photo: There were plenty of familiar faces at Check Me Out. Among the newcomers who made their mark was 2023 prospect Shania Nichols-Van Nett (middle in the red hoodie) of St. Paul Como Park. (photo courtesy of Tylor Coley)