Conference preview: The South Suburban
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There was a lot of disappointment last spring when the Farmington Tigers’ opportunity to play in the state championship game was lost due to the early days of the global pandemic. That’s totally understandable. What gets forgotten, however, is the…
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Continue ReadingThere was a lot of disappointment last spring when the Farmington Tigers’ opportunity to play in the state championship game was lost due to the early days of the global pandemic. That’s totally understandable. What gets forgotten, however, is the fact that Farmington still won a title as the Tigers edged out the Rosemount Irish for their second consecutive South Suburban Conference championship. Can they do it again in 2021?
Farmington (17-1) possesses all of the ingredients needed to repeat. They have one of the top posts in the country in 6’4 center Sophie Hart Sophie Hart 6'4" | C Farmington | 2021 State #44 Nation MN , a North Carolina State commit who many believe is the #1 player in in Minnesota’s senior class. They have an outstanding backcourt in 11th-ranked Paige Kindseth Paige Kindseth 5'10" | CG Farmington | 2021 State MN (Presbyterian) and 44th-rated Peyton Blandin Peyton Blandin 5'8" | SG Farmington | 2021 State MN (Southwest Minnesota State).
Add to the mix one of this year’s breakout players in junior guard Rose Wille Rose Wille 5'8" | SG Farmington | 2022 State MN . Senior guard Maleah Scott Maleah Scott 5'6" | SG Farmington | 2021 State MN is the fifth starter and she’s coming off a breakout summer of her own. Although the loss to graduation of the great Molly Mogensen Molly Mogensen 5'7" | PG Farmington | 2020 State MN (Creighton) hurts, the Tigers already proved they could win without her when she was injured in the stretch run. Add it all up and Farmington has to be considered the favorite once again.
Let’s not forget, however, that Rosemount finished just one game back with a record of 16-2, a seven-win improvement over the year before. Despite the loss to graduation of 18th-ranked Taylor Janssen Taylor Janssen 6'1" | C Rosemount | 2020 State MN (Montana State) and sharpshooter Larisa O’Neil (Hamline), the Irish return with a talented, experienced lineup that includes Division 1 commits #33 Ivory Finley Ivory Finley 5'8" | CG Rosemount | 2021 State MN (UMass-Lowell) and #28 Helen Staley Helen Staley 6'0" | PF Rosemount | 2021 State MN (Oakland) along with strong D1 prospects in juniors Tayah Leenderts Tayah Leenderts 6'0" | PF Rosemount | 2022 State MN (#29) and Alexa Ratzlaff Alexa Ratzlaff 5'9" | CG Rosemount | 2022 State MN (#27). Add junior point guard Anna Tauer Anna Tauer 5'6" | CG Rosemount | 2022 MN , sophomore standout Nicole O’Neil Nicole O’Neil 5'10" | SG Rosemount | 2023 State MN and freshmen Avery Sheedy and Ava Thompson and the Irish lineup looks great.
Beyond the top two
As for the rest of the conference, there are some strong teams that could make a push for the top if things go well. And in a COVID-19 world, the uncertainties of who will be available and when is a potential fly in the ointment for every team. Perennial contenders Lakeville North lost standout guards Lauren Jensen Lauren Jensen 5'10" | CG Lakeville North | 2020 State MN (Iowa), Sarah Kuma Sarah Kuma 5'7" | CG Lakeville North | 2020 State MN (Concordia-St. Paul) and Morgan Robison Morgan Robison 5'9" | CG Lakeville North | 2020 State MN . Returning are senior guards Lizzie Berkvam Lizzie Berkvam 5'10" | PG Lakeville North | 2021 State MN (MSU-Moorhead) and Ashleigh Fossey Ashleigh Fossey 5'8" | CG Lakeville North | 2021 State MN , along with a pair of excellent sophomores in #32 Emy Wolkow Emy Wolkow 5'11" | CG Lakeville North | 2023 State MN and #46 Haley Bryant Haley Bryant 5'7" | CG Lakeville North | 2023 State MN plus top-20 freshman Gabby Betton Gabby Betton 5'9" | CG Lakeville North | 2024 State MN .
Prior Lake boasts a veteran lineup and a new coach in Demondi Johnson. The senior class includes #36 Emily Kulstad Emily Kulstad 6'1" | PF Prior Lake | 2021 State MN (Southern Utah), #55 Kate Trachsel Kate Trachsel 5'7" | CG Prior Lake | 2021 State MN , #74 Tatum Brostrom Tatum Brostrom 5'7" | CG Prior Lake | 2021 State MN (Gustavus), along with Chanel Kallevig, Ellie Albrecht and Abby Kuboushek Abby Kuboushek 5'10" | SG Prior Lake | 2021 State MN . The future looks very bright, as well, with sophomore Lauren Pawlyshyn Lauren Pawlyshyn 5'8" | CG Prior Lake | 2023 State MN likely to make her presence felt and top-50 freshmen Anna Van Helden Anna Van Helden 5'11" | PF Prior Lake | 2024 State MN , Cece McNair Cece McNair 6'2" | PF Prior Lake | 2024 State MN and Julia Thoms Julia Thoms 5'11" | PG Prior Lake | 2024 State MN waiting in the wings. And for future reference please remember 2025 wing Bree Bowman, who is an up-and-coming star.
Shakopee, coming off an 8-10 season, also has a veteran roster featuring seniors Natalie Holte Natalie Holte 5'6" | PG Shakopee | 2021 State MN (Black Hills State), Kelley Brennan Kelley Brennan 5'8" | CG Shakopee | 2021 State MN (Gustavus) and Sophie Moran Sophie Moran 6'0" | PF Shakopee | 2021 State MN , along with juniors Jasmyn Hale Jasmyn Hale 5'9" | SG Shakopee | 2022 State MN , Maya Mitchell Maya Mitchell 5'9" | CG Shakopee | 2022 State MN and Kate Cordes Kate Cordes 5'7" | CG Shakopee | 2022 State MN . Burnsville, led by Morgan Krumwiede Morgan Krumwiede 5'10" | SF Burnsville | 2021 State MN (MSU-Moorhead), Hannah Lake and Shantell Harden Shantell Harden 6'0" | SF St. Louis Park | 2023 State MN , will have to overcome the graduation of stalwarts Zhane Thompson Zhane Thompson 5'7" | CG Burnsville | 2020 State MN (Seward CC), Megan Diggan Megan Diggan 5'8" | CG Burnsville | 2020 State MN (UW-Eau Claire) and Paige Servais Paige Servais 5'8" | CG Burnsville | 2020 State MN (UW-Superior).
Apple Valley (9-9) graduated Anna Mutch Anna Mutch 5'8" | CG Apple Valley | 2020 State MN (UW-Stout), Kalena Myers Kalena Myers 5'6" | CG Apple Valley | 2020 State MN (Augsburg) and Kiree Murray (Augsburg) but returns Chyna Young Chyna Young 5'7" | SG Apple Valley | 2021 State MN and a rising star in 8th grader Myah Maull Myah Maull 5'7" | CG Eastview | 2025 State MN . Led by top-10 senior Cassidy Carson Cassidy Carson 6'0" | CG Eastview | 2021 State MN (South Dakota), Eastview (4-14) will still be young this year but they will no doubt be better. Carson’s supporting cast includes senior Alexis Plitzkow, juniors Sierra Herber and Faith Morris Faith Morris 5'11" | PF Eastview | 2022 State MN , a group of quality sophomores led by point guard Kaitlyn Schaefer Kaitlyn Schaefer 5'6" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN , and intriguing freshmen for the future in #16 Lauren Machacek Lauren Machacek 5'10" | SF Eastview | 2024 MN , #32 Savannah Gardner Savannah Gardner 5'10" | F Eastview | 2024 MN and #36 Britta Hagen Britta Hagen 5'10" | SF Eastview | 2024 MN and Vanessa Wright.
Injury-ridden Lakeville South had a disappointing 3-15 campaign and graduated Annie Guentzel Annie Guentzel 5'11" | SF Lakeville South | 2020 State MN (Wayne State), Haylee Wheeler Haylee Wheeler 6'0" | PF Lakeville South | 2020 State MN (UM-Crookston) and Amanda Drake Amanda Drake 5'8" | CG Lakeville South | 2020 State MN (Gustavus). The Cougars are led by the #21 junior Ally Schultz Ally Schultz 6'0" | CG Lakeville South | 2022 State MN and her classmates Jenna Cuddigan Jenna Cuddigan 6'0" | PF Lakeville South | 2022 State MN and Maria Harvey Maria Harvey 5'8" | CG Lakeville South | 2022 State MN along with top-100 senior Adi Brown Adi Brown 5'11" | CG Lakeville South | 2021 State MN and one of the most exciting freshman prospects in #5 Finley Ohnstad Finley Ohnstad 6'1" | SF Lakeville South | 2024 State MN .
Eagan (2-16) played so much better than its record would indicate and the Wildcats boast some terrific talent in #18 junior Lily Fandre Lily Fandre 6'2" | SF Eagan | 2022 State MN , top-50 freshman guard Drew Buslee Drew Buslee 5'9" | PG Eagan | 2024 State MN , top-150 senior forward Delaney Hoke, and standout junior post Jocelyn Plonski Jocelyn Plonski 6'0" | PF Eagan | 2022 State MN who is currently out with a torn ACL.
Last year’s standings
- 17-1 – Farmington
- 16-2 – Rosemount
- 12-6 – Lakeville North
- 11-7 – Burnsville
- 9-9 – Apple Valley
- 8-10 – Prior Lake
- 8-10 – Shakopee
- 4-14 – Eastview
- 3-15 – Lakeville South
- 2-16 – Eagan
Who to watch in 2021
In total there are 57 players in the conference who are ranked by Prep Girls Hoops – 19 seniors, 17 juniors, 10 sophomores and 11 of the 50 freshmen rated so far. These are the best of the bunch.
BEST OF THE BIGS
- Sophie Hart Sophie Hart 6'4" | C Farmington | 2021 State #44 Nation MN – #2 senior, Farmington (North Carolina State)
- Emily Kulstad Emily Kulstad 6'1" | PF Prior Lake | 2021 State MN – #36 senior, Prior Lake (Southern Utah)
- Tayah Leenderts Tayah Leenderts 6'0" | PF Rosemount | 2022 State MN – #29 junior, Rosemount
- Jocelyn Plonski Jocelyn Plonski 6'0" | PF Eagan | 2022 State MN – #49 junior, Eagan
- Delaney Hoke – #129 senior, Eagan
TOP 5 POINT GUARDS
- Natalie Holte Natalie Holte 5'6" | PG Shakopee | 2021 State MN – #53 senior, Shakopee (Black Hills State)
- Lizzie Berkvam Lizzie Berkvam 5'10" | PG Lakeville North | 2021 State MN – #56 senior, Lakeville North (MSU-Moorhead)
- Chyna Young Chyna Young 5'7" | SG Apple Valley | 2021 State MN –#65 senior, Apple Valley
- Tatum Brostrom Tatum Brostrom 5'7" | CG Prior Lake | 2021 State MN – #74 senior, Prior Lake (Gustavus)
- Jasmyn Hale Jasmyn Hale 5'9" | SG Shakopee | 2022 State MN – #80 junior, Shakopee
PREMIER COMBO GUARDS
- Cassidy Carson Cassidy Carson 6'0" | CG Eastview | 2021 State MN – #8 senior, Eastview (South Dakota)
- Paige Kindseth Paige Kindseth 5'10" | CG Farmington | 2021 State MN – #11 senior, Farmington (Presbyterian)
- Ally Schultz Ally Schultz 6'0" | CG Lakeville South | 2022 State MN – #21 junior, Lakeville South
- Ivory Finley Ivory Finley 5'8" | CG Rosemount | 2021 State MN – #33 senior, Rosemount (UMass-Lowell)
- Peyton Blandin Peyton Blandin 5'8" | SG Farmington | 2021 State MN – #44 senior, Farmington (SMSU)
TOP SMALL FORWARDS
- Lily Fandre Lily Fandre 6'2" | SF Eagan | 2022 State MN – #18 junior, Eagan
- Helen Staley Helen Staley 6'0" | PF Rosemount | 2021 State MN – #28 senior, Rosemount (Oakland)
- Morgan Krumwiede Morgan Krumwiede 5'10" | SF Burnsville | 2021 State MN – #48 senior, Burnsville (MSU-Mankato)
- Jenna Cuddigan Jenna Cuddigan 6'0" | PF Lakeville South | 2022 State MN – #97 junior, Lakeville South
- Faith Morris Faith Morris 5'11" | PF Eastview | 2022 State MN –#99 junior, Eastview
BEST UTILITY PLAYERS
- Alexa Ratzlaff Alexa Ratzlaff 5'9" | CG Rosemount | 2022 State MN – #27 junior, Rosemount
- Kate Trachsel Kate Trachsel 5'7" | CG Prior Lake | 2021 State MN – #55 senior, Prior Lake
- Rose Wille Rose Wille 5'8" | SG Farmington | 2022 State MN – #67 junior, Farmington
- Kelley Brennan Kelley Brennan 5'8" | CG Shakopee | 2021 State MN – #82 senior, Shakopee (Gustavus)
- Paige Broze Paige Broze 5'8" | CG Shakopee | 2022 State MN – #92 junior, Shakopee
- Maria Harvey Maria Harvey 5'8" | CG Lakeville South | 2022 State MN – #101 junior, Lakeville South
POISED FOR A BREAKOUT SEASON
- Nicole O’Neil Nicole O’Neil 5'10" | SG Rosemount | 2023 State MN – #50 sophomore, guard, Rosemount
- Jasmyn Hale Jasmyn Hale 5'9" | SG Shakopee | 2022 State MN –#80 junior, guard, Shakopee
- Shantell Harden Shantell Harden 6'0" | SF St. Louis Park | 2023 State MN – #26 sophomore, wing, Burnsville
- Maleah Scott Maleah Scott 5'6" | SG Farmington | 2021 State MN –#133 senior, guard, Farmington
TOP-RANKED FRESHMEN
They won’t all play varsity this winter but these are the 9th graders we’ll be watching most closely.
- #5 Finley Ohnstad Finley Ohnstad 6'1" | SF Lakeville South | 2024 State MN – guard/wing, Lakeville South
- #16 Lauren Machacek Lauren Machacek 5'10" | SF Eastview | 2024 MN – forward, Eastview
- #19 Gabby Betton Gabby Betton 5'9" | CG Lakeville North | 2024 State MN – guard, Lakeville North
- #26 Nicole Maenke Nicole Maenke 5'10" | CG Shakopee | 2024 State MN – guard, Shakopee
- #32 Savannah Gardner Savannah Gardner 5'10" | F Eastview | 2024 MN – forward/wing, Eastview
- #34 Anna Van Helden Anna Van Helden 5'11" | PF Prior Lake | 2024 State MN – forward, Prior Lake
- #36 Britta Hagen Britta Hagen 5'10" | SF Eastview | 2024 MN – guard, Eastview
- #37 Cece McNair Cece McNair 6'2" | PF Prior Lake | 2024 State MN – forward, Prior Lake
- #42 Drew Buslee Drew Buslee 5'9" | PG Eagan | 2024 State MN – guard, Eagan
- #44 Olivia Pawlicki Olivia Pawlicki 6'1" | SF Shakopee | 2024 State MN – forward, Shakopee
- #48 Julia Thoms Julia Thoms 5'11" | PG Prior Lake | 2024 State MN – guard, Prior Lake
Top photo: Senior Kelley Brennan Kelley Brennan 5'8" | CG Shakopee | 2021 State MN of Shakopee is one of the most versatile players in the South Suburban Conference.