2024 rankings update: 50 newcomers made the grade

Last year’s first ranking of the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 was a little bit unusual. Come to think of it, pretty much everything about the girls basketball scene was obviously odd last year, and a number of athletes decided it was in their best interests to sit out the summer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, when it came time to name the Freshmen 50 in the fall we elected to leave out any player who did not play AAU last summer. It seemed like the fairest approach we could take in unusual circumstances. As a result of that decision, there were some really good prospects who got left out. With the list now doubling to 100 players, those kids have now been included along with a great number of fresh faces who have made their mark in the ensuing eight months. Among the 50 additions, nearly half are from outside of the Twin Cities region. That speaks well to the growth in the outstate talent pool. The vast expansion of online viewing options during the high school season helped their cause, as well. From [player_tooltip player_id="302313" first="Olivia" last="Thostenson"] way up north in International Falls to [player_tooltip player_id="302304" first="Mackenzi" last="Simmons"] (Winona) in the Southeast, from [player_tooltip player_id="304928" first="Elizabeth" last="Corley"] at tiny United Christian to [player_tooltip player_id="304930" first="Grace" last="Hamdorff"] at gigantic Minnetonka, they come from everywhere. Five of the 50 newcomers cracked the Top 50 so let’s start there. 5 MADE THE TOP 50 #32 – [player_tooltip player_id="302297" first="Alyssa" last="Sand"] – 6’0 forward, Albany (Comets Elite) Alyssa announced her arrival to the masses on the biggest stage of all – the Minnesota state high school tournament. The freshman played an integral role in Albany taking home the Class 2A state championship. After a slow start to the AAU season, Sand has come on big time. She can play the 4 or 5 spots, has exceptional length, and can handle the basketball. Sand wasn’t particularly physical during the high school season but that is changing quickly in summer ball. Sand’s ranking is a reflection of potential, but her current level of play is rising fast. #40 – [player_tooltip player_id="302295" first="Helen" last="Ben"] – 5’9 guard, Park Center (Crossfire Schuck) We had heard a lot about Helen entering our first serious viewing of the Class of 2024 in the spring of 2020. But when the AAU season was delayed and spring stretched into summer, we got the word that Helen would not be suiting up with Crossfire as expected. That’s why she wasn’t included in the Freshmen 50 last fall. Watching her this winter it was obvious that Helen is a potential high-end competitor with pure athleticism. Her feet are light, her strides are long and she has one of the quickest first steps in the class. Ben’s overall game is a work in progress but the sky is truly the limit. #43 – [player_tooltip player_id="302300" first="Kylan" last="Gerads"] – 5’10 guard, Albany (Comets Elite) When we spoke to close observers of the 2024 class about 18 months ago, Gerads was a player whose name came up again and again. Unfortunately, Kylan was another solid prospect we couldn’t see during the tumultuous summer of 2020. Fast forward to the high school season and it quickly became obvious what the buzz was about. The big guard brings so much to the table, which is why she and Sand were crucial to Albany’s success. This spring, Kylan has shown on multiple occasions that she is the engine that drive’s Mike Durbin’s Comets Elite squad. She’s also shown enough to earn her way into the Top 50. #48 – [player_tooltip player_id="302304" first="Mackenzi" last="Simmons"] – 5’10 wing, Winona (FBC Real) It hasn’t been particularly easy to see Simmons in action. Kenzi first drew headlines here at Prep Girls Hoops during the Top 250 Expo last fall where she earned Best Newcomer status. It was her long strides, light feet and effortless elevation that first caught our attention. Kenzi is really, really long. She is listed everywhere at 5’10 but looks and plays so much taller. After a winter toiling away in Winona, Simmons started the AAU season in Wisconsin and more recently appeared in the Twin Cities with FBC Real. Regardless of the team or location or setting, Kenzi is hard to miss. Simmons is an unpolished gem whose game has a lot of room for growth. When it all comes together the results could be magical. #49 – [player_tooltip player_id="302296" first="Jessika" last="Lofstrom"] – 5’11 forward, Grand Rapids (Playmakers/Starks Elite) Even though we didn’t personally see her play until this winter, Jessika’s reputation preceded her into the first discussion of how to evaluate the 2024s. This winter we watched her play online several times and were duly impressed. She is a key piece for Kris Hamling’s Thunderhawks at both ends of the floor. Likely best suited to the 4 spot, Lofstrom can play with pace, is explosive to the rim, and knows how to finish. Her shooting is improving and so is her strength. The work ethic is not at all in question. We have watched Jessika with Playmakers North and Starks Elite this summer and she has excelled with both. 5 MORE WEREN’T FAR BEHIND #54 – [player_tooltip player_id="302301" first="Jennica" last="Suggs"] – The 5’9 guard from Minnehaha Academy doesn’t play AAU but she did more than enough over the past two high school seasons to make the grade. The Suggs family has produced a ton of great talent with more on the way. #55 – [player_tooltip player_id="304892" first="Anna" last="Vaaler"] – The aggressive 5’9 guard is one of four standout 2024s from Andover who has cracked the Prep Girls Hoops rankings. She was a pleasant surprise during the high school season. Her level of play with Minnesota Stars Zabel has been off the charts. #56 – [player_tooltip player_id="302308" first="Casey" last="Beck"] – The 5’10 forward from Coon Rapids (Suns 2024 Blue Star) nearly made the Top 50 last fall, and her game has continued to improve. Beck is big and strong and powerful, but it is her basketball IQ that provides Beck with an edge. #57 – [player_tooltip player_id="302303" first="Emma" last="Bakker"] – The 5’9 guard from Hastings (Fury 2024 Premier) was another prospect who nearly made the cut last fall. We were super impressed with how she handled a ton of responsibility this winter with the Raiders, and her game continues to expand in AAU play. #58 – [player_tooltip player_id="302310" first="Aubrey" last="Heyer"] – The 5’10 guard from Chaska (Fury 2024 Premier) is one of eight players on her AAU team to make the list, nine if you count [player_tooltip player_id="215972" first="Norah" last="Danielson"] who started the year with Fury Premier before moving up. Aubrey’s confidence appears to have risen substantially and her play reflects that. THE NEXT 10 #60 – [player_tooltip player_id="304893" first="Lilly" last="Hahs"] – 5’9 guard, Cretin-Derham Hall (Metro Stars 2024) #61 – [player_tooltip player_id="304894" first="Sidney" last="Klauer"] – 5’7 guard, East Ridge (Minnesota Stars Amundson) #62 – [player_tooltip player_id="302307" first="Elisabeth" last="Gadient"] – 5’10 guard, Goodhue (Fury 2024 Premier) #63 – [player_tooltip player_id="302309" first="Karly" last="Jusczak"] – 6’0 forward, Pine City (North Tartan 2024 Nike) #64 – [player_tooltip player_id="302313" first="Olivia" last="Thostenson"] – 6’3 center, International Falls (Playmakers North) #65 – [player_tooltip player_id="302314" first="Taylor" last="Clarey"] – 5’8 guard, Rochester Century (Give ‘n Go 2023) #66 – [player_tooltip player_id="304895" first="Macy" last="Birkholz"] – 5’5 guard, Mankato East (MN Rise) #67 – [player_tooltip player_id="302305" first="Ryan" last="Thue"] – 5’9 guard, Prior Lake (Metro Stars 2024) #68 – [player_tooltip player_id="302306" first="Kate" last="Drury"] – 5’9 guard, Chanhassen (Metro Stars 2024) #69 – [player_tooltip player_id="302302" first="Braya" last="LaPlant"] – 6’1 guard, Grand Rapids (Playmakers North)