2024s whose stock has risen this season

Rudy Ruffin

February 11, 2022 @ 07:00 AM

Last year the 2024 class started high school like no other freshmen have had to start… from home. With COVID, the summer and fall preseason looked a little different than what is usually expected, as they had to be separated into small groups (pods) and wear mask during the games. With a year of high school now under their belts, these sophomores have started their second year off with a bang, making huge contributions to their teams and stepping into bigger roles. With about 20 games in the books, these five have definitely raised their stock.

Jessika Lofstrom Jessika Lofstrom 5'11" | SF Grand Rapids | 2024 State MN – Grand Rapids

Lofstrom is a sleek, tall, small forward who can also play on the wing. The sophomore is the second-leading scorer on the team averaging 14.6 points per game and has helped her team win 20 games this year. She has stepped into more of a leadership role and will continue to get better as more lies on her shoulders. The #59-ranked player in the 2024 class is leading her team in highest field goal percentage and has shot the most free-throws. That’s because she is great at going downhill and finishing with contact. She is aggressive on both ends of the floor making it hard to guard her. The most underrated asset to her game is her rebounding where she leads the team with seven a game.

Helen Ben Helen Ben 5'9" | SG Coon Rapids | 2024 State MN – Park Center

Park Center has had a tough year after losing their senior leader last year and number-one ranked player Adalia McKenzie (Illinois). However, they have had some bright spots with some underclassmen stepping up and taking on the big load. The 5’9 shooting guard is continuously getting better every time we see her. She rose 12 spots in our last ranking update and continues to prove she belongs in the conversation with the best. Ben uses her speed to her advantage, where she can beat almost anyone one-on-one when she’s going downhill. She has a quick first step and athleticism that only some are born with. She, along with teammate Vanessa Saidu Vanessa Saidu 6'2" | SF Cooper | 2023 State MN , are the leading scorers for the Pirates averaging 12 points per game and will be on our radar as the year continues.

Daviyana Singleton-Buchanan Daviyana Singleton-Buchanan 5'11" | SG Shakopee | 2024 State MN – Kennedy

Buchanan is growing into an elite basketball player right before our eyes. The 5’11 shooting guard is tall, has long legs and is almost position-less because she can do it all. She has the build of an athlete who can play at the next level. This year she has stepped into more of a leadership role and has proved her rank on the court. She plays both inside and out where she will post you up on the block and make a strong move or she will pop out to the wing and knock down the three with ease. Her most underrated skill is her timing down low on defense where she is a top-five shot blocker in the state, with over 40 blocks this year. I’ve seen Buchanan take some of the ball handling load off of star point guard Ashlee Burchette Ashlee Burchette 5'7" | CG Champlin Park | 2023 State MN as she has the skills and speed to take it the full length of the floor. Burchette has been dropping dimes all season to Daviyana and her sister Samara Buchanan Samara Buchanan 5'10" | PF Kennedy | 2022 State MN , a senior who is a strong post player with a great motor. Little sister Daviyana is averaging 8 points and big sis is averaging 6 on the season.

I can’t leave out the other standout out sophomore Mya Green Mya Green 5'8" | CG Mpls Southwest | 2024 State MN , who can do it all. On offense she stays aggressive and can find holes in the defense. At 5’8, she has a nice strong body that she uses to get to the hoop and will finish with contact. Her shooting form is almost perfect and she’s shooting the ball well from beyond the arc. She and 2024 teammate Buchanan are both holding the spot for the second-leading scorer for the Eagles.

Mackenzi Simmons Mackenzi Simmons 6'0" | SG Winona | 2024 State MN – Maranatha

The 5’10 shooting guard has looked good this year, helping Maranatha get off to a great start. She does just about everything for the team on both ends of the floor. On offense she finishes well and can shoot the three when she gets in rhythm and will hit at a high clip if she gets going. On defense she uses her long arms to block shots anywhere on the court whether it be getting her hand up and tipping the ball from an outside shot or down low when her player drives to the hoop. Simmons has the highest field goal percentage on the team, which may come from her not forcing anything, plus she is averaging 11.4 points per game.

Amy Thompson Amy Thompson 5'10" | SG Stillwater | 2024 State MN – Stillwater

Thompson has already proved to us that she is a top 20 player in the class, but she has stepped up in a huge way this year for Stillwater, helping the Ponies have one of their best seasons. Amy compliments her three other top-ranked teammates Amber Scalia Amber Scalia 5'9" | CG Stillwater | 2022 State MN , Lizzie Holder Lizzie Holder 6'1" | PF Stillwater | 2022 State MN , and Lexi Karlen Lexi Karlen 6'0" | SG Stillwater | 2023 State MN well, who all average around 15 points per game. The 5’10 shooting guard knows how to put the ball into the hoop making 86 field goals this year already. She also makes a living from the three-point line where she can shoot it at a high clip.