Summer Kickoff Classic: The Stars aligned again

<p style="text-align: left;">I went back and forth about whether to write another article this soon featuring the 2025 Minnesota Stars Borowicz, but the run they’re on right now should not be ignored nor should they be penalized for what they are accomplishing right now. Two weeks after winning back-to-back state titles, they took to the hardwood competing in the top 2023 pool at the Summer Kickoff in Bloomington. For those counting with their fingers, that’s two levels up! Playing up is the norm as they usually battle in the top 2024 bracket whether in Minnesota or on the road.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Bruce Borowicz has assembled quite the team that features a little bit of everything. Running the show is a top next-level talent in <strong>Kendall McGee</strong>. Her numbers weren’t gaudy this weekend, but she was the ultimate floor general who got her teammates involved and came up big when needed. Their front line, consisting of <strong>Sam Wills</strong>, <strong>Katie Kelzenberg</strong> and <strong>Ella Keenan</strong>, is what separates this team from the pack.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Offensively, Wills is very comfortable on the perimeter but doesn’t mind getting down and dirty in the lane when needed. Keenan stretches the floor with her ability to knock down the 3 and can guard from the block to the perimeter, but the X factor is Kelzenberg. The physicality she possesses at this age is something to marvel at. She’s still coming into her own on the offensive end, but her presence on both ends can’t be ignored. I don’t have official defensive stats, but I have seen numerous blocked shots when I watched them, which has been a lot this season.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Aubrey Starr</strong> (out injured this weekend) and <strong>Savanah Borowicz</strong> are defensive stoppers on the perimeter who make it hard for their opponents to get into any sort of rhythm on the offensive end, who just play their roles while being great teammates. Borowicz also has a nice stroke from behind the arc to go along with her sound ballhandling. <strong>Taniysha Edwards</strong> is an undersized power forward, but I don’t think she knows that. She gets extra possessions with her hustle and plays in-your-face defense against guards and bigs alike. She’ll take you to the block and hit you with a text book up-and-under if you aren’t careful.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">[player_tooltip player_id="252380" first="Kendra" last="Harvey"] is another player who has stepped into a role after being a featured piece on her previous team. She’s another ball handler with deadly range and plays with swagger. Rounding out the bunch is <strong>Anna Trachsel</strong>, a player who steps into whatever role is needed. In the AAU state championship game, North Tartan’s [player_tooltip player_id="252379" first="Addison" last="Mack"] torched the Stars early and often, but once Trachsel was called on to check Mack, her size, quickness and grit slowed the talented point guard down which helped the Stars secure another championship.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">In the Summer Kickoff championship game, the Stars met a tough, well-coached team in Minnesota Suns 2023 Blue Star. The Stars were in control handily in the first half with Wills having her way. She finished the half with 10 points and the Stars were up 31-19 at the break. The 2nd half was a different story as I’d assume some pride kicked in on the Suns sideline. They came out with more energy and aggression led by [player_tooltip player_id="108328" first="Priyanka" last="Satish"], who was scoreless at the break but lit the Stars up for 13 points in the second half, and [player_tooltip player_id="108330" first="Karlee" last="Fisher"] chipping in 8 second-half points and 15 for the game.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">With fans being back in the building again, the sidelines were packed and all eyes locked on this tightly contested battle. The Stars showed their youth at times with some untimely turnovers and missed opportunities, but when the game was on the line, they turned up the defensive pressure and forced the Suns into some tough shots. Kelzenberg came up with big play after big play down the stretch including timely rebounds, block shots while also chipping in 7 second-half points. The Stars would hold on to secure a 54-50 win over the Suns and lock up the 2023 championship.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">This group is on an impressive run and we are all just witnesses. Well done ladies, well done.</p> &nbsp;