2022 rankings update: Biggest stock risers, part 2

A couple of days ago we told you the story of several players who made dramatic leaps up the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2022 rankings as [player_tooltip player_id="147443" first="Lizzie" last="Holder"], [player_tooltip player_id="147454" first="Abbie" last="Riederer"] and [player_tooltip player_id="147458" first="Kyla" last="Overskei"] gained 41, 61 and 73 spots respectively. That kind of meteoric jump is rare and certainly worthy of high praise, but players who are making the slow, steady climb up the prospect ladder are no less important. Incremental progress is a sign of continuous improvement and that’s really what the quest for a spot on a college basketball roster is all about. Our focus today is on athletes who have been following that path – seven who have risen by double digits in the current rankings update and seven more who weren’t far behind. All of them have earned their way up the list with superior play over the summer and fall period. We already cited [player_tooltip player_id="109131" first="Madison" last="Mathiowetz"] in our piece on the changes to the Top 25. The Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s guard, who will play the EYBL circuit with North Tartan in 2021, went up 10 places in the rankings this time around, rising from #25 to #15. The following are the other seven double-digit risers. <strong>7 DOUBLE DIGIT RISERS</strong> Up 13 – #127 [player_tooltip player_id="182116" first="Coco" last="Duininck"] –  The 5’7 guard from tiny Central Minnesota Christian in Prinsburg puts up excellent numbers in Class A high school ball. This summer she proved she could do it playing a tough AAU schedule with the Minnesota Rise. Coco rises 13 places from #140 to #127 and she’s got plenty of room for growth. Up 12 –  #38 [player_tooltip player_id="109148" first="Audrey" last="Swanson"] – The 5’11 forward from Waconia was a late arrival to AAU basketball, but she has been well worth the wait. This kid is an athlete! Audrey dominated a ton of games this summer for Crossfire Blue Star and she’ll probably do it again in 2021 with Stars Bjorgaard. When she gets up a head of steam in transition Swanson is unstoppable. She rises 12 places from #50 to #38. Up 12 –  #78 [player_tooltip player_id="109159" first="Malia" last="Nelson"] – A couple of weeks ago we watched the 5’9 forward from Dover-Eyota guarding giant 6’4 [player_tooltip player_id="12712" first="Maya" last="Nnaji"] of Hopkins, an impossible mismatch that Nelson turned into a street fight. We love the Southern Minnesota Fury veteran’s physicality, compete level and continued skill development. Malia moves up a dozen places now from #90 to #78. Up 12 –  #103 [player_tooltip player_id="109179" first="Kate" last="Cordes"] – The 5’7 guard from Shakopee had a breakout summer for Stars Bjorgaard that included a remarkable run of three-point shooting mid-summer that turned heads and made us take notice. Kate’s increased confidence turned into consistent high-level production that won her team a lot of games. Kate is rewarded with a 12-position rise from #115 to #103. Up 12 –  #126 [player_tooltip player_id="148311" first="Hattie" last="Mae DeVries"] –  The 5’10 forward from Roseville will be a mainstay for the Raiders now that [player_tooltip player_id="56227" first="Jayda" last="Johnston"] (Valparaiso) has graduated. If her summer with North Tartan Elite is an accurate indication, DeVries is up to the task. DeVries has been way under the radar to date but she’s about to step into the spotlight. Hattie Mae climbs a dozen rungs on the ladder from #138 to #126. Up 11 – #67 [player_tooltip player_id="147445" first="Rose" last="Wille"] –  Rose’s evolution from role player to impact performer was remarkable last winter for Farmington. This summer, Rose made her AAU debut with Stars Fleming and knocked it out of the park. She’s strong and physical and utterly fearless. She can also finish at the rim. The 5’9 guard moves to Fury 2022 Premier in 2021. She also rises 11 places now from #78 to #67 with tons of room to grow. Up 11 –  #85 [player_tooltip player_id="109178" first="Justine" last="Jameson"] – The 5’10 forward from Park Cottage Grove has always had the length and speed and athleticism to make an impact for the Minnesota Heat, but this summer everything seemed to rise to a new level when we watched. Justine can dominate a game, which she did on a much more consistent basis this year. She is rewarded with an 11-spot improvement from #96 to #85. <strong>7 MORE NOTABLE IMPROVEMENTS</strong> Up 9 – #29 [player_tooltip player_id="109132" first="Tayah" last="Leenderts"] – The 6’0 forward from Rosemount had a great summer with Stars Nilsen as her ability to score, rebound and get up and down the floor continued to improve. She rises nine spots in the rankings to from #38 to #29. Up 9 –  #76 [player_tooltip player_id="109163" first="Taya" last="Jeffrey"] –  The 5’10 guard from Albert Lea was a standout all summer for Southern Minnesota Fury 2022. She’s long, athletic and intelligent. Jeffrey’s game is subtle but her impact on the proceedings is large. Taya has a bright future and moves up nine places from #85 to #76. Up 8  – #102 [player_tooltip player_id="109192" first="Josie" last="Igherighe"] –  The 5’7 guard has been a crucial piece of the puzzle for Minneapolis Southwest for a long time. When we saw Josie playing up this summer with FBC North she proved she could compete against a higher level of opponent, too. Igherighe is up eight places from #110 to #102, Up 7 –  #36 [player_tooltip player_id="57921" first="Lilly" last="Nuytten"] – The 6’0 forward from Hastings has a big frame with the strength and athleticism to match, and her motor never stops running. She has earned an improvement of seven places in the rankings as well as a spot with North Tartan EYBL for 2021. Lily goes from #43 to #36. Up 7 – #63 [player_tooltip player_id="30186" first="Cloey" last="Dmytruk"] – Nobody works harder than the 5’10 forward from Como Park (43 Hoops) who is up every day before sunrise enhancing her game. It is paying off in a big way as Cloey was a force for 43 Hoops game after game. Dmytruk rises seven places from #70 to #63. Up 6 –  #65 [player_tooltip player_id="109171" first="Zoie" last="Centers"] –  The 5’4 guard from Mahtomedi is all about speed, quickness and smarts and she just keeps on improving. The Fury 2022 Premier point guard is brimming with confidence and she knows how to run an offense. Zoie moves up six spots from #71 to #65. Up 5 –  #70 [player_tooltip player_id="57963" first="Maria" last="Counts"] – The 5’11 forward from Providence Academy has been a mainstay for the Metro Stars for a long time and her impact on the game keeps on growing. Her size is a valuable commodity as is her willingness to compete hard every time out.  Maria rises 5 more places from #75 to #70. Up 5 – #50 [player_tooltip player_id="109165" first="Ella" last="Runyon"] – The 5’11 guard from Hill-Murray is a multi-sport athlete who doesn’t play AAU basketball. When she showed up at the Fall Exclusive, however, Runyon reminded us that she is one of the best athletes in the class with size, speed, strength and touch. Ella rises five places from #55 to #50.