2022 Rankings Update: A dozen newcomers made the grade

So what exactly is a ‘newcomer?’ That’s a question I asked myself as I was compiling our list of the dozen players who are new to the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2022 rankings as of this week’s update. One of the things we track in our recruiting database is every player’s historical ranking over time. It’s a great way to stay on top of who is improving, who has slipped a little, and who is making a comeback. One thing that rarely happens is for a player to drop out of the rankings and then return, never mind returning to the list with a ranking that is 60 or 70 places up from where they were before. That’s what happened with [player_tooltip player_id="147457" first="Kora" last="Forsline"]. [caption id="attachment_208562" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-208562 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/162_Kora-Forsline_1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="147457" first="Kora" last="Forsline"][/caption]It turns out that two years ago Forsline earned a spot in the Class of 2022 rankings – #138 to be precise – for one complete ratings cycle. At the time we were limiting the number of ranked players to 150 (an idea that seemed to make sense at the time) so when some rising talent came along a few months later they moved into the Top 150 and Kora was among those who got bumped out. It was a mistake borne from the fact that Forsline was toiling away up on the Iron Range at Mesabi East where she wasn’t getting the visibility you would want as a college prospect. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Regardless, we blew it. No excuses. This year was different. Thanks to the advent of widespread online viewing options for high school we were able to watch a lot of Kora’s games. A couple of pointed reminders from those who live nearby served to put us on notice, as well. This spring, Forsline has been hard to miss. Appearing in AAU games for both Playmakers North and High Impact (even in the same tournament!), Kora has put her new-and-improved box of tools on full display on a regular basis. It’s obvious that she has evolved into a very skilled, very efficient, very effective forward. At 6 feet tall, with a ginormous wingspan, Forsline can rebound the basketball and serve as a highly disruptive defender. At the other end of the floor she can finish with either hand or score off the bounce. As a result, we are pleased to reintroduce Forsline to the masses and let you know that she is now the 72nd-ranked prospect in the Class of 2022 and is perfectly capable of playing at a scholarship-level program. Rest assured Kora is not going to exit the rankings again. <strong>5 MORE NEWCOMERS OF NOTE</strong> <strong>#96</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298800" first="Ray’ven" last="Robinson"] – The 5’8 combo guard from Cretin-Derham Hall (MN Stars Vogelsberg) is a crafty ball-handler who can score off the bounce or from distance. Formerly of Park Center, Robinson joined Coach Crystal Flint at CDH in St. Paul where she assumed a major role and was among the top-scoring Raiders. This summer on Zack Vogelberg’s Stars team, Ray’ven has shown just how much increased confidence and playing time can do for a athlete’s prospects of playing at the next level. <strong>#97</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298801" first="Reana" last="Schmitt"] – The 6’0 power forward from Austin (Air Minnesota) has made steady improvements over the past two seasons, but this summer her game has really taken off while playing on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. Schmitt is a strong rebounder who attacks the boards and secures the ball. She has a high IQ and makes quality decisions as a result. Reana has also shown that she can put the ball in the basket on a consistent basis. <strong>#152</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298804" first="Tessa" last="McMahon"] – The 5’5 guard from Chatfield (North Tartan SE) first caught our attention last summer while running the point for Russ Speer’s North Tartan SE team out of the Rochester area, a squad that has had a great deal of success. This winter we watched McMahon online several times and were impressed with her ability to control the pace of the game and run her team’s offense with poise and precision. Tessa also has a big motor that never stops running. <strong>#158</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298809" first="Alex" last="McNeill"] – The 5’5 guard from Minneapolis North (E1T1) is highly-skilled with tremendous handles, quick feet and a great sense of timing and pace. Since 7th grade Alex has been bombing threes and attacking the basket hard at the varsity level where she has racked up a ton of career numbers, including 16 points per game for the Polars last season. This summer she has done more of the same for Michael Swann’s E1T1. <strong>#146</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298802" first="Keiara" last="Anderson"] – The 5’9 combo guard from St. Cloud Apollo (Minnesota Comets Berskow) has been toiling away under the radar in Central Minnesota where her high school team has struggled to get wins. That hasn’t stopped Anderson from doing her thing. Keiara is long, active and athletic. She handles the ball well, sees the court and can pull down a ton of rebounds for her size. There’s no question that Anderson can play at the next level. <strong>5 MORE FRESH FACES</strong> <strong>#147</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298803" first="Destiny" last="Piekarski"] – 5’9 guard, Littlefork (Playmakers North) <strong>#155</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298806" first="Kyla" last="Nygaard"] – 5’9 guard, Maple Grove (MN Stars Fleming) <strong>#156</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298805" first="Macie" last="Guida"] – 6’0 guard, Buffalo (Minnesota Comets) <strong>#157</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298808" first="Eliza" last="McKown"] – 5’7 guard, Orono (MN Stars Vogelsberg) <strong>#159</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298811" first="Brooke" last="Gunderson"] – 5’8 guard, Buffalo (Minnesota Comets) <strong>#160</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="298812" first="Lauren" last="Halverson"] – 6’0 forward, Barnesville (ND Flight)