AAU Awards: Meet the 2020 Hard Hat All Stars

We celebrated Labor Day a week ago but for some college basketball prospects every day is Labor Day. They work hard, they play hard and they make it hard for the opposition. That’s why once again this year we are pleased to recognized the lunch pail heroes of AAU basketball, those players who plied their trade in the summer season with grit, determination and heart. Welcome to the 2020 Prep Girls Hoops Hard Hat All Stars. These selections are based primarily on what we have seen on the court over the past couple of months but you can be pretty sure that these same players who are busting their tails on the floor are the ones putting in the most work when nobody else is looking. That’s just kind of how it works. These athletes embrace the grind, continuously work to improve, play the game with grit and physicality and have an out-sized impact on the game, even if they don’t always get the credit for it. Not surprisingly, many of the hardest-working players in the state are also among the best players in the state. Elite prospects such as of Stillwater, of Chaska, of Minnetonka and of Eden Prairie, for example, put in untold hours of work to improve. But they also get plenty of time in the spotlight. Since we want to recognize some of the unsung heroes, however, we’ve declared all top-40 players regardless of class ineligible for selection. We have also eliminated any player who was selected for one of our AAU post-season all-star teams – a total of 20 players per class – which is why you won’t find such notorious workhorses as , , , , or among our selections. With the fine print all taken care of, here are the 25 players who made it onto the roster of the Prep Girls Hoops Hard Hat All Stars. (Players are listed with the AAU team they played on this summer, not the club they have committed to for 2021. ) FIRST TEAM – 2022 forward, 43 Hoops Antilla (St. Paul Como Park): Cloey has embraced the grind and is in the gym before the sun comes up pretty much every day. We love her physical style of play and commitment to continuous improvement. – 2021 guard, Rise Wolfe (Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial): Lakesha has long been one of the state’s more underappreciated players. She brings it at full volume every day of the week and her enthusiasm and energy is infectious. – 2021 guard, Suns Bluestar (Brainerd): Erika’s work ethic is well-established and it paid off handsomely last week when the big guard announced her commitment to the University of North Dakota. Lane will give you an honest effort every time she steps on the floor. – 2022 guard, Crossfire Bluestar (Holy Family): We love prospects who play with an edge, show no signs of fear, and aren’t shy about making or taking contact if that’s what it is required to get to the basket. Lucy offers all of that and more. – 2022 guard, Fury 2022 Yellow (Mahtomedi): Zoie is a high-skill point guard with excellent ball skills, a strong understanding of the game and the willingness to do what is necessary to become a college basketball player. SECOND TEAM – 2023 guard, Fury 2023 Yellow (Chaska): Anna is one of the most athletic players in the class of 2023. She has a big frame, great elevation and a huge motor, a combination of assets that will serve her well. – 2021 guard, Comets Elite (Becker): Alayna’s teammates at Becker and on Comets 2021 Elite may draw more headlines but Lindquist does the little things that often result in victories. She is a tireless worker who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. – 2022 guard, Metro Stars Starks (Maple Grove): Ari is a versatile athlete with quick hands and fast feet who is well known as one of Minnesota’s top defenders. Gordon is a repeat selection for this lunch-pail crew and deservedly so. – 2021 guard, Minnesota Diamond Elite (Cretin-Derham Hall): Audrey is simply relentless. She is super quick, plays the game with boundless energy, and can win a basketball game for you in a variety of ways. We love her passion for the game. Sonya Potthoff – 2023 guard, Metro Stars Ruffin (Mahtomedi): Sonya’s evolution as a player has been constructed on a solid foundation of plain old fashioned hard work. Take one look at the sophomore now and it’s obvious that she lives in the weight room. The results speak for themselves. THIRD TEAM Claire McGregor – 2024 guard, Rise Geistfeld (Maple River): Claire leaves it all on the floor every time out, making up for a lack of size with a huge motor and a fearless approach to the game. The small-town star is putting in the work to leave a big-time impression. – 2023 forward, FBC North (Spring Lake Park): Opponents who dare to take on Kylie in the paint will leave the gym with souvenirs from their encounter. Diaz is tough, she’s physical and she’ll leave you looking for ice bags when it’s all over. Maleah Scott – 2021 guard, Minnesota Stars Zabel (Farmington): This summer was Maleah’s coming out party. Farmington coach Liz Carpentier has been telling us for months how good Scott can be and the player showed us all why the coach is a believer. – 2022 guard, Minnesota Stars Fleming (Farmington): Rose’s story has been well-chronicled here over the past few months. The big guard is utterly fearless, plays with calmness and composure, and isn’t afraid to steamroll opponents if there’s a bucket or a rebound to be had. – 2022 guard, Air Minnesota (Byron): There are plenty of hard-working, honest-effort kids who wear the Air Minnesota jersey but none is more committed than Rylie, who has embraced the long, arduous journey to improvement. Schnell is hungry and it shows. HONORABLE MENTIONS

Amelia Valentino Amelia Valentino 5'10" | CG Champlin Park | 2022 State MN – 2022 guard, Minnesota Stars Bjorgaard (Champlin Park)
Annika Anderson – 2023 guard, Metro Stars Wiese (Eden Prairie)
Arianna Comfort – 2024 guard, Minnesota Heat Renikoff (St. Francis)
Ava Cusciotta Ava Cusciotta 5'9" | SF Rockford | 2022 State MN – 2022 forward, Crossfire Bluestar (Rockford)
Evie Kompelien – 2024 guard, Crossfire Robertson (Orono)
Jenny Ntambwe – 2022 forward, Start Strong Black (Coon Rapids)
Kate Drury – 2024 guard, Metro Stars Barnes (Chanhassen)
Kristi Kottke – 2024 guard, Rise Geistfeld (Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart)
Quinn Danielson – 2024 guard, Minnesota Stars Amundson (Cloquet)
Rachel Kottke – 2024 guard, Rise Geistfeld (Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart)