Scouting report: 5 outstate standouts to see

Every year at this time we are accustomed to watching [player_tooltip player_id="109764" first="Abby" last="Hennen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="109147" first="Natalie" last="Rolbiecki"] do their thing. In a regular season – remember those? – the state tournament would have been last week. Chances are we would have watched the Minneota Vikings make a run at another class A state championship to go with their titles in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. Although the big dance is still three weeks away, we had a sneak preview 10 days ago of what undefeated Minneota has to offer and saw why coach Chad Johnson is closing in on 450 wins. We were also reminded that Hennen and Rolbiecki are two of the hidden gems of Minnesota basketball. That’s why they top the list today of this week’s outstate standouts, and why we’ll probably see them at Target Center in April. [player_tooltip player_id="109764" first="Abby" last="Hennen"] & [player_tooltip player_id="109147" first="Natalie" last="Rolbiecki"] – Minneota Let’s start by saying this: If [player_tooltip player_id="109764" first="Abby" last="Hennen"] lived closer to the Twin Cities, played for a successful high school program that is on the radar more than just one week in March, and competed for a quality AAU team, she would probably be top 25 or 30 in this year’s senior class. She’s that good. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to prove it without the kind of exposure it takes to become a high-level prospect. We don’t even know for sure if she wants to play college basketball. If so there will be plenty of takers. The 5’9 combo guard can do it all. She’s a smooth perimeter shooter with a ton of range, can penetrate and score at the rim through contact, and has nice touch around the basket. She’s long and athletic and plays a physical game. She can also score. Abby regularly puts up 18-20 points a game, shoots about 50% and fills up every positive category on the score sheet. She also knows how to win. Just once I’d like to parachute her into a high-level AAU game and see what she can do. In the meantime let’s hope we get another look or two at the state tournament. Natalie and Abby could be sisters. The 5’10 Rolbiecki tends to hang out more on the perimeter where she can bomb it, but in recent months has taken a much more aggressive stance on attacking the basket and scoring off the bounce. Natalie is super long and very versatile. She can play or guard any position. She’s quick and athletic and can run the floor at a high pace, slip by defenders in traffic and elevate over opponents on a regular basis. Her well of potential runs very, very deep. Rolbiecki averages about 15 and 4 with around 4 steals per game, as well, and shoots it at close to 60% from the field. You can see for yourself at the big event. [player_tooltip player_id="220832" first="Jordan" last="Munson"] – 2023 guard, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton The Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo is a terrific exposure opportunity, especially for kids who haven’t really been seen on the AAU circuit, live some distance from the Twin Cities region, and play in smaller programs that aren’t in the headlines on a regular basis. Case in point: [player_tooltip player_id="220832" first="Jordan" last="Munson"] of Tracy-Milroy-Balaton. Jordan showed up at our event in October and brought a ton of game along. We were impressed by her light feet, superior athleticism, solid skill set and strong motor. That earned her our top 2023 newcomer notice at the event. Fast forward to the high school season and we have watched Munson online a half dozen times. She has been the best player on the floor every time out. Munson had a 29-point performance last month and is averaging about 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Now the word is out and Munson is set to join the Minnesota Fury’s 2022 Premier squad where she’ll have the opportunity to make a splash on a bigger stage. Jordan is currently ranked #102 in the class of 2023, but when the rankings are updated in the next few weeks you’re going to have to scroll up the list a fair bit to find her new neighborhood. Bri Simpson – 2023 guard, Marshall The Marshall Tigers are having a heck of a season. At 17-0, the kids in orange are poised to make a deep run in the post-season beginning Thursday when they meet up with New Ulm. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="109746" first="Jordyn" last="Hilgemann"] grabs all of the headlines in Marshall and beyond, but the Northern State commit isn’t the only reason the team is having success. Sophomore Bri Simpson, who is the only non-senior in Marshall’s starting lineup, is a fresh face on our radar, but she made a big impression when we watched the Tigers do battle with Waconia. She’s fast and athletic and battles hard. The 5’8 guard has nice one-on-one skills, along with a quick step that eludes most defenders in Southwest Minnesota. What Simpson needs is experience to help her develop a higher basketball IQ while simultaneously growing her ball-handling and shooting skills. Simpson suffered a hip injury in the late stages of the Waconia game which definitely hurt the Tigers. Fortunately it wasn’t serious, Marshall got the W, and Simpson will no doubt play a big role in the post-season. Bri is averaging about 10 points per game. This spring she’ll suit up for SD Network out of Sioux Falls. [player_tooltip player_id="220835" first="Taylor" last="Hill"] – 2023 guard, Rochester Mayo We first watched Taylor in the summer of 2020 with Air Minnesota and were immediately struck by her energy and athleticism, and willingness to throw her body on the line as often as was required and more. People sometimes accuse us of being biased when it comes to our player evaluations. I’ll plead guilty because I have a significant bias in favor of players who have a big motor and a physical presence who will not give up on a play. Ever. Hill is all that, and more. Our most recent viewing came Saturday night at Eden Prairie. It wasn’t a good night for Mayo, and that’s putting it mildly, but Hill was still bringing it to the bitter end. The 5’8 combo guard has quick feet and quick hands, handles the ball well, and isn’t afraid of anything or anyone on the court. Taylor entered the class of 2023 rankings last fall at #110. Her play this winter is making a good case to move up. On a deep, senior-laden squad, Hill is earning big minutes off the bench and making her presence felt every time out. Taylor may never be as accomplished as the WNBA player of the same name, but she’s going to give you her best every time out. Top photo: [player_tooltip player_id="220832" first="Jordan" last="Munson"] of Tracy-Milroy-Balaton.