2024 Rankings: Players who came oh so close

In a class full of talented prospects, it’s not easy to make it into the rarified air of the Prep Girls Hoops Freshmen 50 when an age group is ranked for the first time. The 2024s are no exception. It’s not surprising then that there were a number of highly-qualified candidates who were in the conversation until the end but didn’t quite make it. As the carnival barkers used to say way back in the day, “Close but no cigar!” Here are 5 players who barely missed out on making the Top 50, along with 5 more you’ll want to be watching before the list is expanded to 75 early next year. 5 PLAYERS WHO JUST MISSED OUT Kate Drury – The 5’9 guard from Chanhassen and the Metro Stars (photo above) was in the discussion until the very end. Kate has a strong desire to be great and she is putting in the work necessary to reach that objective. We might not see all of the effort that goes on behind the scenes but we have definitely witnessed her flat-out, all-in approach on the court. Drury is relentless, making one hustle play after another, and doing whatever she can to propel her team to victory. Casey Beck – The 5’10 forward from Coon Rapids is one of the most deceptive players in the class. She’s big and strong and powerful but it is her on-court intelligence that sets Casey apart. Beck is a mainstay on the strong Suns Blue Star squad. She’s not the fleetest of foot, and she’s not going to razzle-dazzle you into submission with fancy ball-handling or a killer crossover, but Beck will exploit your weaknesses, precisely execute the task she is given, and make big plays in big moments. Estelle Atkinson – The 5’9 guard from Orono is one of the most intriguing players in the class of 2024. We first watched her at the Battle for Mom this summer and were very impressed. As the summer season went along, Estelle got better and better. During AAU tryout season this fall, Atkinson showed flashes of what might be coming in the years ahead. Estelle’s energy is contagious. She is a committed defender with nice length and a big motor, and she knows how to score. This is a player on the rise. Elisabeth Gadient – The 5’9 guard from Goodhue is long, athletic and smooth. She is part a Fury 2024 Premier (formerly Yellow) squad that placed no fewer than six players in the Freshmen 50. That’s unheard of for a so-called “second” team but it is a squad with length, size and skill and Gadient could just have easily joined the top 50 as anyone else. We love Elisabeth’s speed and touch as well as her ability to control the pace of the game. Goodhue develops team-oriented talent year after year and Gadient is going to be a good one. Mattea Henry Mattea Henry 6'1" | SF Woodbury | 2024 State MN – The 5’11 forward from Woodbury and the Minnesota Stars earned an All-Star team selection at the Prep Girls Hoops Fall Exclusive which speaks well to just how much impact she can have. Mattea has length and athleticism and explosiveness, with the ability to get to the paint and blow past defenders to finish at the rim. I watched Henry play again on Sunday at Breakdown Fall League and she was Woodbury’s go-to girl from start to finish. In the long run she could turn out to be a force. 5 MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH Trinity Wilson – The 5’11 forward from Lakeville North had a nice summer with Fury 2024 Premier. She recently had corrective knee surgery and will be out for some time. When she returns there is little doubt that Wilson will be a factor in this class. Ryan Thue Ryan Thue 5'9" | CG Prior Lake | 2024 MN – The 5’9 guard from Prior Lake is a solid all-around performer for the Metro Stars and had a lot of support from our evaluators. She has a big frame and quality skills. Emma Bakker Emma Bakker 5'11" | SG Hastings | 2024 State MN – The skilled 5’9 guard from Hastings is yet another strong prospect from Fury 2024 Premier. Emma will play big minutes at Hastings this winter and that experience, along with more physical development, will help her a ton. Itoro Etuko – The 5’7 guard from Mounds View (MN P.R.E.P) is a pure athlete with a quick first step. Etuko is a tenacious full-court defender who can play any position you want. She could eventually be a big-time prospect in this class. Mackenzi Simmons Mackenzi Simmons 6'0" | SG Winona | 2024 State MN – The 5’10 guard from Winona (now with FBC North) was our favorite newcomer among the 2024s at the Top 250 Expo. We need to see a larger sample size but Simmons is clearly a talented player on the rise.