Battle at the Falls: Guards and Forwards Colleges Should Watch
I saw some smooth guards and hustle players this weekend, and the 2024’s held their own in a bracket with 2022’s. Minnesota Fury’s 2024 team was full of athletic, skilled players, and the Lady Martin Brothers program brought multiple rosters…
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Continue ReadingI saw some smooth guards and hustle players this weekend, and the 2024’s held their own in a bracket with 2022’s. Minnesota Fury’s 2024 team was full of athletic, skilled players, and the Lady Martin Brothers program brought multiple rosters full of fundamental guards. These seven players are on my watch list for colleges, and many of them can play more than one position.
Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN — 2024 — Benilde St. Margaret’s High School — Minnesota Fury 2024 UAA
It doesn’t take long to see that Olson is a high-level player. She’s long, she’s shifty, and she plays inside and out. In the two games I watched, she hit several step-back threes, handled the ball on the perimeter at 6’0” and established great positioning inside, especially in transition.
Jariah Harris Jariah Harris 5'11" | SF Cedar Rapids Jefferson | 2023 State IA — 2023 — Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Lady Martin Brothers 2023
Harris got to the line more than anyone else in the game I watched by going into contact inside, and she knocked down her free throws. She has good instincts and athleticism when she drives. While ineligible for varsity play as a freshman because of a district transfer rule, she is expected to have a big impact for Jefferson next year.
Jasmine Barney Jasmine Barney 5'7" | PG Cedar Falls | 2023 State IA — 2023 — Cedar Falls High School — Lady Martin Brothers 2023
Barney is a quick guard with good handles. She cuts and moves well without the ball to create, and she can finish off the drive. And, despite playing with stud UNI commits in Emerson Green Emerson Green 5'10" | SG Cedar Falls | 2020 State IA and Anaya Barney Anaya Barney 5'11" | SF Cedar Falls | 2021 State IA last high school season, she was third in scoring for Cedar Falls.
Ava Stier Ava Stier 5'10" | PF Waconia | 2022 State MN — 2022 — Waconia High School — Minnesota Stars Bjorgaard 10th
Stier showed that she can hit a pull-up jumper, but I was most impressed by her hustle plays. I saw her make a very athletic save and rip down rebounds. If she keeps developing, she will be a valuable asset to a college roster in a few years.
Amelia Valentino Amelia Valentino 5'10" | CG Champlin Park | 2022 State MN — 2022 — Champlin Park High School — Minnesota Stars Bjorgaard 10th
Valentino can score well at guard, whether that be hitting the three — and she has a very nice shot — or making an athletic finish inside. She also has good speed and quick hands on defense, which makes her a standout member of her Stars squad.
Ashlee Burchette — 2023 — Bloomington Kennedy High School — Minnesota Stars Turner 9th
Burchette plays with ease at a high speed. She can split a trap without issue, and she does it with the ball on a string. Being a smaller guard, she has developed a smooth floater that helps her score over length.
Katie Vasecka Katie Vasecka 6'1" | CG South Dakota | 2024 MN — 2024 — New Prague High School — Minnesota Fury 2024 UAA
Vasecka is long and wiry, but she finishes with strength and focus inside. She flows well within the offense and always has the right positioning to get offensive boards. She’s likely to make a name for herself in Minnesota in the next few years.