Class of 2021 rankings update: 7 new juniors join the party

Timing can be everything for college basketball prospects, particularly when it comes to talented players who are waiting in the wings behind quality upperclassmen who are grabbing the lion’s share of the minutes. Case in point: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/logan-anderson/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/logan-anderson/">Logan Anderson</a></a> of Forest Lake. Over the past couple of seasons the Rangers have been a veteran squad that rode the coattails of six outstanding players, all from the class of 2019. Meanwhile, lurking in the wings were several players who have emerged from the shadows this year to propel Forest Lake to a solid year as the Rangers have exceeded expectations with 18 wins to date. That performance has earned Anderson a spot in the top 100 in the latest edition of the Prep Girls Hoops class of 2021 rankings. She is the highest-rated newcomer in this update. These are the seven players who are new to the list this time around. #91 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/logan-anderson/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/logan-anderson/">Logan Anderson</a></a> – The 5’8 guard from Forest Lake served notice early that she was going to be among the key players in the Rangers’ rebuild by putting up 31 points their third game of the season, a contest in which she set a school record by going 15-for-15 at the free throw line. Her production continued from there as she topped the 30-point mark again versus Irondale and surpassed 20 points in eight other games for a season average of 17. Anderson is listed as a guard but plays like a power forward. She is strong and physical, and gets to the rim when the opportunity is there, frequently drawing free throw opportunities in the process. Perhaps better known as an elite softball player, Anderson plays much bigger than her size thanks to an aggressive approach to the game. #100 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lynnsey-hady/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lynnsey-hady/">Lynnsey Hady</a></a> – The 5’10 guard from Rochester Mayo is a pure athlete who gets up and down the court at a high rate of speed. She is aggressive on the offensive end of the floor, has nice handles and can shoot the ball from great distance. Hady just makes plays. She’s fluid, has a ton of length and very nice court vision. She’s basically a position-less player who fills multiple roles for Mayo, which has had a tremendous season and is currently 20-4. Lynnsey is averaging over 13 points per game for the Spartans, trailing only D1 prospect <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/anna-miller/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/anna-miller/">Anna Miller</a></a> in offensive production. Hady will return to a strong Air Minnesota AAU squad this spring that includes ranked prospects <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nancy-soro/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nancy-soro/">Nancy Soro</a></a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mya-shones/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mya-shones/">Mya Shones</a></a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/rylie-schnell/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/rylie-schnell/">Rylie Schnell</a></a> and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/macey-ziebarth/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/macey-ziebarth/">Macey Ziebarth</a></a>. #101 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ellie-schmitz/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ellie-schmitz/">Ellie Schmitz</a></a> -- The 6’0 forward from Hermantown has a wingspan that measures 6’5. That is an exceedingly rare combination, and Schmitz has proven that she knows how to make the most of it. Her length is a weapon at both ends of the court and makes her a really good on-ball defender. She is also a consistent scorer who can knock down shots from mid-range and beyond the arc, and finishes well at the basket with either hand. The Wisconsin Playmakers athlete, who leads the 23-3 Hawks in scoring at nearly 16 points per game, also has a big motor and a strong desire to get better. She’s working on improving her quickness and foot speed. When that happens Schmitz will no doubt vault way up the rankings in the class of 2021. #119 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sarah-lenz/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sarah-lenz/">Sarah Lenz</a></a> – The 5’8 guard from Belle Plaine can flat out shoot the basketball. If you set a ball screen for Sarah she will knock down the three over and over and over, plus she has a high basketball IQ. When we wrote a feature story on Belle Plaine’s outstanding season, Tigers coach Mindy Chevalier was positively gushing about arguably her most important player. “Sarah is so consistent and she is such a competitor,” she said. “She can play just about any position on the floor for us. She works her tail off, and now she is a great defender. She is just a joy to coach and a real leader. I can’t say enough good things about her.” Lenz leads her team in scoring at 16 ppg and scored 30 the last time I saw her against St. Peter. Lenz returns this spring to MN Rise 2021 Wolfe. #125 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maya-fitzpatrick/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maya-fitzpatrick/">Maya Fitzpatrick</a></a> – The 5’10 guard from Champlin Park is deceptively quick with the ability to slip into impossibly narrow openings to penetrate. Once there she has a spin move that defenders have been unable to stop for the most part. Maya is deceptively athletic and quick, and she does a little bit of everything for Champlin Park, including averaging 10 points per game on a team that really spreads the scoring around. Fitzpatrick can handle the basketball, has excellent range and can maintain solid defensive position against much bigger opponents. Fitzpatrick has the potential to rise much, much higher in the rankings in the future. She’ll have that opportunity this spring as she joins a strong North Tartan 2021 Elite squad. #140 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/annie-feine/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/annie-feine/">Annie Feine</a></a> – The 6’0 forward from Andover has returned from long-term ACL injury and has done a very nice job this season as she has gradually regained her previous strength and explosiveness. Feine is an old-school post who is comfortable playing with her back to the basket and absorbs and delivers contact on a consistent basis. She can knock down shots from mid-range with nice form, and is working on being more consistent in that regard. Feine has a big body. She’s strong and powerful, and gets to the rim with high frequency. Annie is a solid next-level prospect who will likely improve a lot over the next 12 months. #144 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sydney-pelzer/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sydney-pelzer/">Sydney Pelzer</a></a> – The 5’9 forward from Concordia Academy is often overlooked on a Beacons' team where everyone resides in the very big shadows cast by junior guard <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ivanae-tensaie/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ivanae-tensaie/">Ivane Tensaie</a></a>. Pelzer has slipped into the role that used to be occupied by 2019 graduate <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lydia-lecher/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lydia-lecher/">Lydia Lecher</a></a> (Hamline). Sydney has a big frame, good length and is a quality shooter. I would describe Pelzer as a no-nonsense player, the type of workhorse who goes about her business with as little fanfare as possible but has an enormous influence on the outcome of the game. We saw Pelzer put up 20 points in a recent win over a strong Mayer Lutheran squad. She had scored 21 for the Beacons in the game before that and scored 22 more in their next game as her production continues rising. Concordia started the year 1-8 but has since reeled off 15 straight wins. Pelzer’s improvement is a big reason why. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/minnesota/rankings/2021-rankings/">Click here to see the entire Class of 2021 rankings</a>