2019 rankings update: Minnesota’s best keep on getting better

Things are going well for Minnesota’s class of 2019. Among the top 20 players in the state, 19 have made a college commitment (16 in Division 1) before their first game of senior year. That’s impressive. But there is always room for improvement, right? That is certainly reflected in the updated Prep Girls Hoops rankings released today as several of the state’s very best prospects have continued to make their way up the rankings. [caption id="attachment_14534" align="alignright" width="269"] #7 Sara Stapleton (Wisconsin) and #8 Taylor McAulay (Drake) give Centennial HS a terrific one-two punch.[/caption] Take Sara Scalia for example. The Stillwater point guard has been a very good player for a very long time, but she keeps on getting better. Not only did Scalia improve in most aspects of her game, the North Tartan EYBL veteran also landed a scholarship from the University of Minnesota where she became new coach Lindsay Whalen’s first home-grown signee. As a result, Scalia has moved up to #2 in the rankings, behind Kallie Theisen of Wayzata (South Dakota State). Scalia’s rise means that center Destinee Oberg drops into the #3 spot. Oberg missed most of the summer due to injury, but the University of Arkansas signee looks fit and healthy now after transferring to Bloomington Kennedy for her final high school season. While Scalia’s rise is notable, she isn’t the only elite player who has improved her standing. Kacie Borowicz of Roseau had an excellent summer season with Greg Amundson’s Minnesota Stars while earning herself a scholarship from the University of North Dakota. Borowicz moves from #7 to #5 in the new rankings. Then there’s Taylor McAulay of Centennial and Fury Gauntlet. McAulay is just so smooth and so subtle. Although others might grab more headlines, McAulay’s value to her team is sky high. The Drake University commit has now cracked the top 10, moving up from #12 to #8. McAulay’s Centennial teammate Sara Stapleton also continues to get better. The big post from Stars Nelson, who has committed to the University of Wisconsin, moves up from #8 to #7. Elsewhere in the top 20, four players advanced: <ul> <li>Dlayla Chakolis of Hopkins (Stars Nelson) moved up one spot to #13. The forward recently committed to D1 Hampton University where she joins her former Hopkins teammate Ashley Bates.</li> <li>Forward Olivia Lane of Pequot Lakes already had her college decision done before the summer season started (she’s going to North Dakota) but took the opportunity to test herself against the very best with North Tartan EYBL. Lane proved she belonged, and moved up to #14.</li> <li>Forward Mykel Parham of Apple Valley and North Tartan EYBL jumps four places to #16 in the class. Parham’s game has evolved substantially, and her offers at the end of July certainly reflected that. Mykel chose Creighton University of the Big East.</li> <li>Elaina Jones of DeLaSalle had a terrific summer with Suns Jefferson after an excellent spring at DeLaSalle. ‘E’ moved up one notch to #18 and committed to Idaho State.</li> </ul> Welcome to the club As you know we made some adjustments to the format of our Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota rankings this time around, limiting the total number of players on the senior list to 150. The idea is to better reflect who is best qualified to make it to the next level. Unfortunately, that meant that more than 70 previously ranked players were dropped. That didn’t stop six new faces from making their way into the club. Please welcome the rookies: [caption id="attachment_14539" align="alignright" width="265"] Macie Kirckof of Belgrade-Bruton-Elrosa is a threat every time she has the ball. (Photo courtesy of West Central Tribune)[/caption] <ul> <li>Jordan Morris of Eastview (Stars Nelson) makes her debut at #85. Morris has been waiting in the wings behind a strong state championship senior class. Now it’s her turn and Morris looks ready to make her mark.</li> <li>Haylee Coulson of St. Michael-Albertville is in a similar situation. The Knights are loaded, but Coulson has stayed the course and continued to improve. She had a nice summer with North Tartan Elite, earning the #105 ranking and a college commitment to Bethel University.</li> <li>Forward Grace Hegland of Lac qui Parle Valley is one player who doesn’t traverse the country chasing AAU dreams and has a low profile as a result. Coaches are onto her now, though, and several are trying to secure the services the #136-ranked player in the class.</li> <li>Another late bloomer is post McKenna Clouse of Irondale, who has continued to put in the work required to make it to the next level. She had a good summer with Stars Turner and committed to Waldorf. Clouse joins the list at #137.</li> <li>Macie Kirckof of Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa is a 5’11 forward who averaged 16 points and 14 rebounds last winter for the Jaguars while coming within an eyelash of a berth in the state tournament. That’s impressive, and so is making the list for the first time as a senior. She is #143.</li> <li>Katie Vaske of Woodbury is the ultimate role player. Ask her AAU coach Derek Turner what Katie meant to his Stars and you’ll get 15 minutes of flowery praise. Vaske has been vastly underrated until now but the #147 player is drawing college interest and will be an impact player this winter.</li> </ul> [caption id="attachment_14540" align="alignright" width="300"] Lariah Washington of St. Cloud Apollo is one of the most prolific scorers in the class. (Photo courtesy of StarTribune)[/caption] 10 more seniors on their way up <ul> <li>Anna Harvey of Lakeville South (North Tartan) rose 13 spots to #30. She has committed to D1 Lehigh.</li> <li>Lariah Washington St. Cloud Apollo (Comets Elite) committed herself to being a better defender this year and it paid off. She rose 11 places to #35.</li> <li>Katie Tornstrom of Caledonia (Southern Minnesota Fury) moves up 17 places to #41. She also committed to MSU-Moorhead.</li> <li>Sierra Morrow of Minneapolis Edison (Stars Turner) jumps a whopping 82 places to #52. She has always had top-20 talent. This summer she demonstrated new-found maturity and caught the attention of college recruiters at all levels. </li> <li>Solape Amusan of Woodbury (Fury Yellow) rose 28 places to #54. “Solo” has evolved from a great spot-up shooter to a much more versatile, scholarship-worthy athlete who has no shortage of suitors. She’s going to have a big year at Woodbury.</li> <li>Count us among those who underestimated Mariah McKeever of Ada-Borup (Comets Elite). The feisty little guard has flourished in the past 12 months. We noticed, moving Mariah up 55 spots to #68. More importantly, MSU-Moorhead noticed and she said ‘yes!’</li> <li>We chronicled the improvement of Abby Leach in detail earlier this year as the Forest Lake senior took her game to a new level with Stars Nelson. Leach moves up 50 spots to #74. We hear she has made a college commitment but has yet to announce it.</li> <li>Blake Greer of Minnetonka polished her game in 2018 and will play a big role for the Skippers. The Stars Nelson alum rose 50 places to #78 and committed to D2 Southern Connecticut State.</li> <li>Jessie Ruden of Rochester John Marshall discovered some new-found confidence this summer and was a standout performer for Stars Amundson. The long-bomber is up 32 spots to #79.</li> <li>Last but not least, dynamic little guard Dana Ocsan of St. Francis parlayed her ball-handling skills and quick feet into a great college opportunity at the University of Jamestown. The Minnesota Suns alumni rose to #89.</li> </ul>