2024 rankings update: The biggest stock risers

Improvement. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Every player, no matter their talent level or current capabilities, wants to get better. That’s why recognition of those whose stock is rising is so important. Now that the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 rankings have been updated we want to salute those players whose stock has risen the most over the past four months. Earlier in the week we told you all about the shakeup in the Top 20 which saw some players make huge strides, particularly [player_tooltip player_id="215985" first="Olivia" last="Pawlicki"] of Shakopee who jumped up 14 places, while Andover’s [player_tooltip player_id="178261" first="Piper" last="Engelby"] rose 13 spots, [player_tooltip player_id="215956" first="Claire" last="Stern"] of Maple Grove went up by 9 and [player_tooltip player_id="215973" first="Savanah" last="Gardner"] improved by 7 positions. Today, we bring you the rest of the big stock risers. <strong>DOUBLE DIGIT STOCK RISERS</strong> <strong>+21 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="215979" first="Cece" last="McNair"] <strong>– forward, Prior Lake</strong> There are a lot of reasons why a player makes a big move in the prospect rankings – physical improvement, mental maturity, a different role that reveals more potential, perhaps a rise in confidence. In McNair’s case, she checks a few of those boxes. But really this jump up is largely a recognition that a) there’s a shortage of true post players in the Top 100 thereby increasing her relative value and b) we simply underestimated her ability in the previous rankings. Yes, Cece has improved and she will continue to get better and she is one of the best in this age group. That’s why McNair has moved up 21 places to #25. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338624 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/250-Karly-Jusczak-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>+15 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302309" first="Karly" last="Jusczak"] <strong>– forward, Pine City</strong> North Tartan 2024 Nike earned a state championship in 2021 and there was plenty of attention paid to the team’s marquee performers – the exploits of Wisconsin import <strong>Rainey Welson</strong>, the athleticism of [player_tooltip player_id="178267" first="Rhyan" last="Holmgren"] and the smooth execution of [player_tooltip player_id="215958" first="Tori" last="McKinney"]. What can’t be overlooked, however, are the largely unheralded but consistent contributions of Jusczak, whose game has quietly evolved in ways that make her one of the more intriguing forwards in the class. The 6-footer improved in every aspect of her game and moves into the Top 50 as a result, rising 15 places from #63 to #48. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338466 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/71-Macy-Birkholz-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>+13 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="304895" first="Macy" last="Birkholz"] <strong>– guard, Mankato East</strong> Small guards have to work really, really hard to get the attention they deserve. It is a constant quest to prove you can compete at a higher level, to demonstrate that you can play bigger than your size, to convince others that you deserve an opportunity ahead of taller, longer athletes. The 5’5 Birkholz has done all of that and more. She is constantly on the attack, using her speed, quickness, physicality and athleticism to outfox opponents. Macy is also a defensive dynamo. And her motor? We’ll it’s at high RPM from start to finish. That will earn you some kudos and a move up from #66 to #52. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338598 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/216-Maddie-Ziembiec-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>+13 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="304933" first="Maddie" last="Ziembiec"] <strong>– forward, Chanhassen</strong> Maddie’s 13-position rise – she goes from #96 to #83 – is a recognition of her continuous improvement. Ziembiec isn’t flashy. Rather she is an efficient, multi-dimensional performer. At 6’1, the small forward is long and lean and has the reach and wingspan that is so cherished by college coaches. Ziembiec is solid both inside and out. She’s active and mobile and continues to get quicker. Maddie had a particularly strong showing at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo where she demonstrated that she will be a player to be reckoned with at the next level. <strong>+12 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302295" first="Helen" last="Ben"] <strong>– guard, Park Center</strong> Helen is one of the quickest, most athletic players in the Class of 2024. Her feet are light, her strides are long and she has one of the best first steps you’ll see. After sitting out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Helen showed nice improvement over the winter season at Park Center. This summer she took a big leap forward, both in her overall skill development and her ability to translate all of that potential into tangible results on the court. Ben moves from #40 to #28, putting her firmly in the Division 1 conversation. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338594 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/212-Alyssa-Sand-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>+10 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302297" first="Alyssa" last="Sand"] <strong>– forward, Albany</strong> It has been quite a year for the 6’1 forward. Alyssa played an integral role back in March in Albany’s run to the Class 2A high school state championship. This summer she went from being an unranked, unheralded prospect to be the subject of much scrutiny by college coaches who are intrigued by her possibilities. After a couple of really solid tournaments in the early part of the summer, Alyssa made her debut in the rankings in June at #32. Sand continued to get better in the ensuing weeks and is now a much more polished performer with even higher possibilities. That’s why she now rises from #32 to #22 in the Class of 2024. <img class="alignnone wp-image-295543 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/Playmakers_Thostenson_Baumgard_Lofstrom-scaled-e1636813591873-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>+10 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302313" first="Olivia" last="Thostenson"] <strong>– center, International Falls</strong> As we said in our rundown on McNair, there just isn’t that much size in this class with only a handful of legit bigs among the 2024s. So when a 6’3 forward with a big frame, decent athleticism and a high compete level shows up on the scene people pay attention, even if she’s really, really raw. Over the course of the year Olivia has made huge strides in her skill development. Now she has committed to regularly making the six-hour round trip from International Falls to Duluth to compete and train. Olivia jumps up 10 spots now to #54. If she truly invests in her own development she’ll likely be a Top 20 prospect a year from now. <img class="alignnone wp-image-338509 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/114-Kristi-Kottke-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><img class="alignnone wp-image-338514 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/120-Rachel-Kottke-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>OTHER BIG STOCK RISERS</strong> <strong>+9 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="304892" first="Anna" last="Vaaler"] <strong>– </strong>The impact of the Andover guard’s enormous motor continues to grow with every game she plays. Anna goes from #55 to #46 as her evolution continues. <strong>+9</strong> – [player_tooltip player_id="304915" first="Rachel" last="Kottke"] <strong>–</strong> The guard (photo right) from Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart has put in a ton of effort to further develop her skills and has a work ethic that is unquestionable. Rachel moves up from #77 to #68. <strong>+9</strong> – [player_tooltip player_id="304916" first="Kristi" last="Kottke"] <strong>– </strong>Like her twin sister, Kristi (photo left) appears to have filled out some over the past few months and the extra strength has helped her to perform at a higher level. Kristi rises from #78 to #69. <strong>+9</strong> – [player_tooltip player_id="304938" first="Alexis" last="Rose"] <strong>–</strong> The shifty guard has big shoes to fill this year at Becker as she takes over from Julia Bengtson at point guard, but her play this fall makes it obvious she is up to the challenge. Lexi improves 9 places from #85 to #76. <strong>+8</strong> – [player_tooltip player_id="215990" first="Lauren" last="Arnold"] <strong>– </strong>The crafty guard from Chanhassen had an outstanding summer proving again that she is a premier tactician who knows how to run an offense. Lauren goes up 8 places from #47 to #39. <strong>+8</strong> – [player_tooltip player_id="304894" first="Sidney" last="Klauer"] <strong>–</strong> The East Ridge guard was simply outstanding at the Fall Exclusive cementing the positive impression she has been forging all year. Sidney rises from #61 to #53. <strong>+7</strong> – [player_tooltip player_id="302300" first="Kylan" last="Gerads"]– The forward from Albany is strong and smart with a solid frame and a quality skill set. Those assets will get you to college basketball and help you move from #43 to #36 in the rankings. <strong>+7 –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="304906" first="Isabella" last="Sanneh"] <strong>–</strong> The East Ridge forward has grown in confidence, physicality, and skillset in 2021 and is now a key piece on a strong high school squad. Sanneh elevates accordingly, from #74 to #67.