2022 Stock Risers – Twin Cities region, part 1

Continuous improvement. To me it is one of the most important things to keep an eye on when evaluating a player over a long period of time. Some kids develop in fits and starts. Others come out with a flourish and seem to stall for long periods of time. And then there are the kids who just keep getting better. As the athletes in the Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota class of 2022 position themselves in the recruiting race entering their junior year, we’re going to take a look over the next few days at the stock risers, kids who just keep on getting better and raising their value in the quest for a college scholarship. We’ll start with two groups of players from the Twin Cities region and follow with kids from Southern Minnesota and Greater Minnesota after that. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="109132" first="Tayah" last="Leenderts"] – Rosemount, Stars 2022 Nilsen (#38)</strong> It’s not often that a player’s highlight tape will feature her taking several charges in the first couple of minutes. I guess that shouldn’t be surprising in this case, though, given that Rosemount is a very defense-oriented program and Tayah is a very committed defender. It’s not that Leenderts isn’t good on the offensive end of the floor. In fact she’s very good, as you’ll clearly see in the video. She has a variety of moves in the paint, she’s got enough length at 6’1 to be a match-up problem, and she is aggressive going to the hoop. Leenderts is relentless in her pursuit of the basketball and loves to play physical. The Minnesota Stars Nilsen forward was one of the most improved players of 2019, rising 30 spots in the rankings. She carries a 3.7 GPA and is a solid scholarship candidate. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10332575/5e7ac6d25cb37e08b8b5713e">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57921" first="Lilly" last="Nuytten"] – Hastings, Stars 2022 Bjorgaard (#40)</strong> Lilly is a long, athletic forward with a big motor who has made tremendous strides in developing her skills over time. The lefty is a great shooter, both from mid-range and out beyond the three-point line, and has very nice form. She can also run the floor at a high pace. Nuytten isn’t super smooth but her strides are very long which enables her to put a step on her defender en route to the basket. She’s also got a big frame and plenty of strength. Combined with nice length at 6’1 and quality footwork, that’s a potent mix. Nuytten averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds per game this year playing huge minutes for 4A Hastings. With the great [player_tooltip player_id="1918" first="Mallory" last="Brake"] moving on to Creighton Lilly will be relied upon even more going forward. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13906793/5e793563d45ff0137c708c7e">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="109141" first="Kassie" last="Caron"] – Holy Angels, Fury 2022 UAA (#42)</strong> This winter was Kassie’s breakout season as she took on a prominent role at Holy Angels and earned All-Conference recognition in the Tri Metro for her efforts. Caron averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.1 deflections per game, led her team in made three-pointers and had a career high game of 36 points at Fridley. Caron is a high-quality shooter with a quick release, high arc and soft touch. The 6’0 guard/wing has confidence now and it shows. She is athletic, runs the floor with pace and has proven herself against top performers both in high school and on the elite Minnesota Fury 2022 UAA squad. Caron is a three-sport athlete (volleyball and softball) with a very high basketball ceiling. She’s currently ranked #42 in the class but will probably make a size-large jump at the next update. This is a solid Division 1 prospect who continues to raise her stock among the 2022s. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/kassandra-caron-35370037">Watch the video</a> <strong>Mikaelah Counce – Champlin Park, 43 Hoops 2022  (#52)</strong> Mikaelah is crafty, she’s clever, she is athletic and she’s got excellent handles. This is a high-skill player with quick feet, soft hands and the desire to be great. She is also a very nice shooter with range who has a quick release and the capability to create space to get the shot off. I love the way she is able to change speeds in an instant, taking advantage of her quickness to flummox defenders. She is terrific off the bounce,  gets to the rim through contact and can finish with either hand. One of the areas she has improved the most is on defense which shows up more clearly in AAU ball with 43 Hoops where the officials are more lenient and the tenor of games is more physical. The 5’7 combo guard has been a varsity starter for the past two years while earning All-Conference honors against 4A competition in the tough Northwest Suburban. Counce is a scholarship-level talent who continues to raise her stock. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12341786/5e67abb9dfd9da0dac6e46a5">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57930" first="Amelia" last="Valentino"] – Champlin Park, Stars 2022 Bjorgaard (#61)</strong> Regardless of class, regardless of program, regardless of the situation in any particular game, one thing is clear about Amelia: She is one of the best pure shooters in Minnesota. Valentino is smooth, has unlimited range, and can get hot. Really hot. This hasn’t happened by accident. Amelia works at her craft, putting in hours and hours in the gym to hone this particular skill which is clearly going to be her meal ticket to the next level. Valentino’s overall skill set has shown continuous improvement, as well, as she has worked on her ball-handling and quickness on a regular basis. The 5’10 guard moves to Minnesota Stars Bjorgaard this summer where she will have the green light to fire at will. Amelia’s desire and work ethic are off the charts including in the classroom where she carries a 3.9 GPA. I love players who love the game as much as Valentino does and she is only going to get better. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12341797/5e7fc08f3449dd0acc5d84cb">Watch the video</a>