Winter Rankings Update: Meet the 2024 newcomers

This has been an incredible year for Providence Academy as [player_tooltip player_id="252381" first="Maddyn" last="Greenway"] and the Counts sisters have garnered headlines all winter for their many accomplishments. One less high-profile player who has had a huge role in the Lions success this winter is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="392477" first="Brooke" last="Hohenecker"], who has consistently made big plays and scored big buckets when it really mattered. As a result we are pleased to add Brooke to the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 prospect rankings. Hohenecker is the highest-rated newcomer among 17 fresh faces added to the 2024 rankings. That brings the total number of ranked sophomores to 140 with more to be added this summer. Here’s a rundown on the newcomers. <strong>THE TOP DOG</strong> <strong>#112</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="392477" first="Brooke" last="Hohenecker"] <strong>– guard, Providence Academy</strong> If you had to choose one word to describe Brooke it would probably be ‘shooter.’ That’s certainly what opposing players and coaches holler pretty much every time she gets the ball on the perimeter, and with good reason. Brooke has shown her ability as a catch-and-shoot sniper over the past couple of seasons, but this year she added many more assets to her game. She’s attacking the basket more and scoring more off the bounce, being more of a defensive stalwart in spite of her size, and making big plays at big moments when opportunities present themselves. Providence has played a tough schedule and Brooke has impressed with her ability to compete with the very best. Now she is ranked among them, as well. <strong>HAILING FROM HAYFIELD</strong> When Hayfield hammered Houston 67-29 on Monday night to open section play it was pretty much par for the course. The Vikings have been stellar this season, which is why they remain undefeated all the way into the post season. That success is due in no small part to the play of two standout sophomores who have raised their level of play substantially. Both have now joined the ranks of ranked 2024 prospects: #125 [player_tooltip player_id="392470" first="Kristen" last="Watson"] and #136 [player_tooltip player_id="392476" first="Natalie" last="Beaver"]. Watson is a 5’6 point guard, a high-speed, high-energy, high-IQ floor leader who can score in volume. Kristen is a bulldog who will do whatever it takes to give her team an edge, and she takes a ton of pride in her defensive reliability. Offensively, she is a slasher who gets to the basket but she has also developed a nice runner. Outside she is dangerous, as well, and is shooting the three at a 40% clip. All that adds up to more than 20 points per game to go along with four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Watson has already reached 1,000 career points as a sophomore. Beaver is a  5’11 forward with a very long wingspan and plenty of strength. Natalie has nice body control both offensively and defensively. She uses her exceptional length well, both to defend much bigger post players and also to get up and over defenders at the other end of the court. Beaver’s ability to post up, execute a quality move or two in the paint, and finish with consistency is all much improved. She’s averaging about 10 points per game in the paint, 17 overall. She’s also a streaky shooter who can light it up from outside when she gets rolling. <strong>4 MORE NEWCOMERS TO WATCH</strong> <img class="alignnone wp-image-338503 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/106-Savannah-Hedin.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> <strong>#128</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="339217" first="Savannah" last="Hedin"] <strong>– guard, Stewartville</strong> When you watch Hedin for the first time it doesn’t take long to discern her athletic ability. She has length and strength and speed and quickness, just the sort of things that cause evaluators to pull out their pens and write rapidly. Sometimes, however, it can take players time to put it all together and figure out how best to utilize those assets. That time is now for the 5’8 guard. Savannah has matured a ton this winter, taken advantage of her opportunities, and improved every aspect of her game. She can drive to the lane from the right or left, make contact and finish and draw fouls. Hedin can also post up and she’s a quality three-point shooter. Now she can be counted on to pound the boards and force turnovers, too. This is a talented kid with a high ceiling and a ton of room for growth. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-338434" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/31-Maddie-Kamm.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> <strong>#130</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="339119" first="Maddie" last="Kamm"] <strong>– guard, St. Peter</strong> A little over a year ago we included Maddie in a scouting report called, ‘5 Freshmen Who Have Impressed in February,’ a review that concluded with these words: ‘This kid is going to go far.’ Now, one year later, Kamm’s journey is progressing well. One sure way to catch an evaluator’s eye is to play with passion, create havoc defensively, and go hard all the time. That’s exactly what Maddie does. Kamm is highly disruptive and rebounds well for her size. She’s also a lot stronger than she looks. Offensively we have seen Maddie light it up from distance at times, and she can also be very effective while attacking the basket. Kamm isn’t a polished jewel quite yet but she is definitely trending in the right direction. <strong>#134</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="392474" first="Ellana" last="Keaveny"] <strong>– guard, Waconia</strong> Last season Ellana spent a good portion of the year toiling on Waconia’s C team. This year, due to injuries and illnesses and graduations, Ellana was thrown into the varsity fire big time. After a few early burn marks, the 5’6 spitfire figured out what it means to play point guard at the 4A level while going up against a laundry list of big-time opponents like [player_tooltip player_id="108301" first="Kennedy" last="Sanders"] (Colorado) and [player_tooltip player_id="12720" first="Callin" last="Hake"] (Nebraska). Ellana improved her ball handling, ability to withstand defensive pressure, understanding of effective distribution, and physicality all while limiting her turnovers. Defensively she’s come light years this season. Add it all up and Keaveny has earned this recognition. <strong>#135</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="392475" first="Brooke" last="Christianson"] <strong>– guard, Glencoe-Silver Lake</strong> We watched Brooke a lot last summer. She was really good then for the Minnesota Rise but she is even better now. The 5’5 guard is very aggressive at both ends of the floor, and she plays with one of the most sizeable motors we’ve seen. She’s quick and fast and is 100-percent committed to whatever role she is assigned at any given time. Brooke also plays bigger than her height. She’s got nice elevation, which obviously helps, but what sets Christianson apart is her willingness to fight for every inch from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Brooke is an incredible competitor who has put in the work to grow her skillset. That’s why she has earned her way into the rankings now, and why she has a very bright future ahead.