Preview: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events

Martin Luther King Day has become a huge date around the country for basketball events and it has started to catch on in Minnesota, too. College coaches like it because Monday is a day when they can usually travel, and there will no doubt be a few on hand to scout prospects at St. Catherine University in St. Paul and Augsburg University in Minneapolis where the two primary events will be held on Monday.

Others had planned to be here Saturday for the Hall of Fame Winter Classic tournament at Anoka-Ramsey, which unfortunately had to be cancelled because of the snowstorm. The main attraction there was to have been an encounter between Hopkins and Stillwater, a rematch of last year’s state 4A championship game. St. Michael-Albertville, Lakeville North, Sauk Centre and Mountain Iron-Buhl were also scheduled to play but, alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Here’s a preview of Monday’s main events and a couple of other games you might want to check out if you are so inclined.

AT AUGSBURG

11:30 a.m. – Minneapolis Washburn vs Bloomington Kennedy
1:00 p.m. – Minneapolis Southwest vs St. Paul Highland Park
2:30 p.m. – Bloomington Jefferson vs Byron
4:00 p.m. – Hibbing vs Waseca

Players with college commitments

Senior Gus Boyer Gus Boyer 5'10" | CG Waseca | 2020 State MN of Waseca is the top player in the event, which is hosted by the Minnesota Suns. The #27 prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops class of 2020, who is one of the state’s top shooters, has signed with D2 Minnesota Duluth. Her teammate Rachel Breck Rachel Breck 6'0" | PF Waseca | 2020 State MN , ranked #92, has committed to play junior college basketball and volleyball at Iowa Lakes. Senior Hannah Potter Hannah Potter 5'11" | PF Waseca | 2020 State MN could be on that list, too, but we’re told she’s not planning to play in college. The other senior drawing a lot of attention is forward Kourtney Manning Kourtney Manning 6'2" | C Hibbing | 2020 State MN of Hibbing, the #67-ranked prospect, who is currently weighing offers.

Prospects to watch

Listed in order by class and prospect ranking.

Sacia Vanderpool Sacia Vanderpool 6'4" | C Byron | 2021 State MN – junior forward, Byron, ranked #44 in 2021.

Kesha White Kesha White 6'0" | C Mpls. Washburn | 2020 State MN – senior forward, Minneapolis Washburn, #107 in 2020.

Josie Igherighe Josie Igherighe 5'7" | CG Cooper | 2022 State MN – Sophomore guard, Minneapolis Southwest, #114 in 2022.

Rylie Schnell Rylie Schnell 5'9" | CG Byron | 2022 State MN – sophomore guard, Byron, #107 in 2022.

Samara Buchanan Samara Buchanan 5'10" | PF Kennedy | 2022 State MN – sophomore forward, Bloomington Kennedy, #118 in 2022.

Jhanae Green Jhanae Green 5'7" | CG Mpls Southwest | 2023 State MN – freshman guard, Minneapolis Southwest, #33 in 2023.

Virginia Johnson Virginia Johnson 5'10" | SF Mpls Southwest | 2023 State MN – freshman guard, Minneapolis Southwest, #36 in 2023.

Ashlee Burchette Ashlee Burchette 5'7" | CG Champlin Park | 2023 State MN – freshman guard, Bloomington Kennedy

Maia Stevens – 8th grade guard, Minneapolis Washburn

AT ST. KATE’S

3:30 p.m. – Hutchinson vs Chaska
5:15 p.m. – Simley vs Holy Family
7:00 p.m. – Rosemount vs Eden Prairie

Players with college commitments

This field is loaded with six committed Division 1 players on display at this event, which is hosted by the Minnesota Fury.

Nneka Obiazor Nneka Obiazor 5'10" | PF Eden Prairie | 2020 State MN – senior forward, Eden Prairie, ranked #8 (Youngstown State)

Zareia Chevre Zareia Chevre 5'10" | PF Simley | 2020 State MN – senior guard, Simley, #11 (Monmouth)

TeeTee Danso TeeTee Danso 6'0" | PF Simley | 2020 State MN – senior forward, Simley, #13 (Bradley)

Natalie Mazurek Natalie Mazurek 6'1" | PF Eden Prairie | 2020 State MN – senior forward, Eden Prairie, #17 (South Dakota)

Taylor Janssen Taylor Janssen 6'1" | C Rosemount | 2020 State MN – senior forward, Rosemount, #22 (Montana State)

Sydney Stensgard Sydney Stensgard 5'9" | CG Simley | 2020 State MN – senior guard, Simley, #23 (Montana State)

Prospects to watch

In addition to the aforementioned Division 1 commits, there are no less than 16 top-35 prospects participating in the three games. At least a half-dozen of those – probably more – will end up playing at the D1 level. Although there are many more college prospects taking part, these are the primary players to watch listed by class and prospect ranking.

Ravyn Miles Ravyn Miles 5'7" | PG Simley | 2020 State MN – senior guard, Simley (#30)