Minnesota Top 250: Meet the 2023 All-Expo Team
They came, we saw, they performed – nearly 200 prospects in all – for the second annual Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Top 250 Expo Oct. 3 at Hopkins. We saw a ton of new faces, a lot of players who…
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Continue ReadingThey came, we saw, they performed – nearly 200 prospects in all – for the second annual Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Top 250 Expo Oct. 3 at Hopkins. We saw a ton of new faces, a lot of players who have improved, and some intriguing prospects to consider. Watching that many players in one place at one time can be overwhelming. Thankfully there were plenty of folks observing and evaluating and sending us their thoughts.
Over the next several days we will be slicing and dicing what we witnessed into smaller, more digestible bites. We’ll publish articles on the top stock risers, outstate players, newcomers to watch, top forwards, and best guards. My focus will be on the classes of 2024 and 2023 while my colleague Mason Asher from Prep Girls Hoops Iowa will be reporting on the 2021s and 2022s as well as non-Minnesota players who participated in the event.
We begin today with the top performers in the class of 2023. Of the 61 Minnesota sophomores who participated, these are 10 who stood out the most. Honestly, there were others we could have just as easily slotted into the guard spots – there were a ton of quality back court players at the event – but these are the 10 prospects we’ve chosen for the 2023 All-Expo Team. The Prep Girls Hoops prospect rankings cited here are from June. The class will be updated later this month.
FIRST TEAM
Kennedy Klick Kennedy Klick 6'0" | CG Maple Grove | 2023 State MN – 6’0 guard, Roseville (#8)
The 8th-ranked player in the class of 2023 is long, smooth, graceful and athletic. Kennedy is a very natural player with a great feel for the game. Her feet are light and her hands are soft.
Ella Johnson Ella Johnson 6'2" | SF Elk River | 2023 State MN – 6’2 forward, Elk River (#14
Ella is long and getting longer. This year she has improved her ball handling, enhanced her willingness to take and make contact, and improved her ability to finish in traffic. The sky is the limit.
Ashley Fritz Ashley Fritz 5'10" | CG Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN – 5’9 guard, Eden Prairie (#26)
Ashley is a big, strong, physical guard who can handle the basketball, make great passes, knock down outside shots and get to the rim. She also knows how to run an offense.
Nicole Lillard Nicole Lillard 5'6" | CG Champlin Park | 2023 State MN – 5’7 guard, Champlin Park (#30)
Nicole is an athletic guard with great quickness, nice lateral movement and a pocketful of one-on-one moves. Coming off a terrific summer, Lillard is a talented, intelligent player whose stock is rising.
Brynn Senden Brynn Senden 5'6" | PG Wayzata | 2023 State MN – 5’6 guard, Wayzata (#39)
We have learned never to underestimate Brynn because she almost always exceeds our expectations. Senden has terrific handles, great court vision, and a boatload of confidence. Her motor never stops running.
SECOND TEAM
Clara Glad Clara Glad 6'0" | SF Rogers | 2023 State MN – 6’0 wing, Rogers (#9)
Clara has ramped up the quality of her play a significant amount this summer and is starting to perform to her potential on a more consistent basis. Glad can create, score, rebound and defend at a high level.
Sophie Lahti Sophie Lahti 6'1" | SF Pine City | 2023 State MN – 6’0 forward, Pine City (#18)
One of the most athletic players in the class, Sophie has become much stronger and more skilled over the past 12 months. The results speak for themselves as she continues to match up with the best of the best.
Taryn Hamling Taryn Hamling 5'9" | PG Grand Rapids | 2023 State MN – 5’9 guard, Grand Rapids (#22)
Taryn is skilled, smooth and versatile. She’s got quality handles, nice athleticism and elite shooting ability. She can also defend four positions. Hamling’s game has matured in recent months and it shows.
Shannon Fornshell Shannon Fornshell 6'1" | SF Wayzata | 2023 State MN – 6’0 forward, Wayzata (#72)
Shannon remains a hidden gem on a very deep Wayzata roster, but not for long. She’s long and lanky, runs the floor well, can score off the dribble and finish with either hand. Watch for a breakout year ahead.
Ava Privet Ava Privet 5'10" | CG Caledonia | 2023 State MN – 5’9 guard, Caledonia (#80)
Ava’s prospect ranking was last updated in June and it’s almost comical now. Her skill level has blossomed as has her confidence. Now she has experience against stronger opponents and is a talent on the rise.
Top photo: Nicole Lillard Nicole Lillard 5'6" | CG Champlin Park | 2023 State MN of Champlin Park