Brady’s Notes: Midwest Kickoff Classic Day One
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On the first day of the Midwest Kickoff Classic, I saw some of the best talents in the midwest. Here are the notes on some of the kids I got to see. Lauren Knudson Lauren Knudson 5'6" | PG Orono…
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Continue ReadingOn the first day of the Midwest Kickoff Classic, I saw some of the best talents in the midwest. Here are the notes on some of the kids I got to see.
Lauren Knudson Lauren Knudson 5'6" | PG Orono | 2023 State MN -Metro Stars 2023 Wiese
I hadn’t heard of Knudson before seeing her play yesterday morning. The Minnesota native is one of the best ball handlers when dealing with pressure. It’d be a challenge to knock the ball loose when the way she has it on a string. Knudson is also aggressive when coming off of a high ball screen. If someone doesn’t pick her up, she’ll punish defenses immediately.
Audrey Kormann Audrey Kormann 6'2" | PF Maple Grove | 2023 State MN -Metro Stars 2023 Wiese
The junior is excellent around the basket. If someone asked me to build my ideal post player, it’d look like the game Kormann possesses. Kormann scores well around the rim and passes out to shooters when she gets doubled in the post. It also helps that she was one of the best paint protectors I saw and didn’t foul that much.
Marin Blom Marin Blom 5'7" | PG Farmington | 2023 State MN -Crossfire 11th Modrynski
I like how Blom attacks full-court presses. It’s almost like she sees teams try to speed her up then, pull out a reverse card, and makes the pressing defense look uncomfortable. Blom also did things you wouldn’t have expected a lead guard to do, like rebound on the offensive end. Blom affects every aspect of the game.
Ashley Bryfczynski-43Hoops Premier (Cubie)
The main thing I learned in the game I saw Bryfczynski is that she’s relentless. She will attack the rim at all costs. I saw her take two hard falls in front of me and somehow got up and kept playing. It takes toughness to keep going, and it takes willpower to continue playing at a high level. That’s what she did.
Annika Southworth Annika Southworth 5'8" | PG St. Peter | 2025 State MN -MN Rise 2025 Hulke
I can tell that Southworth understands the power she has as an initiator. The way she maneuvers against defenses, you can tell she’s looking for specific details, like a help-side defender losing track of their assignment for a split second. Southworth will make winning plays for teams she plays on for the next few years.
Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 5'8" | PG Cuba City | 2025 State WI – Minnesota Fury 2024 UAA
I knew that Olson was one of the most talented players in the country coming into the day, but somehow I still left impressed by what she does. Her ability to get to her spots is unbelievable. She has a complete understanding of what she is, and isn’t, capable of doing. She’s an excellent scorer and facilitator, but there’s something else I took away from seeing her play. The way she treats every possession is incredible. By looking at her face, you can see that she treats every possession as a game. You can see how much she hates getting scored on, and you see how aggressive she is to find the best shot possible for her team. Beyond what the box score says about her game, Olson will succeed because she plays every second with desperation. If you ever get a chance to see her play, I can’t suggest doing it enough.
Mary Berg Mary Berg 5'7" | PG Menomonie | 2024 State WI -Team Wisconsin 2024
The Menomonie native knocked down four 3’s the last time I saw her in the state tournament, and she continued to play well yesterday. Berg is an unbelievable shooter who does an excellent job getting her teammates involved. She’s an effective scorer and passer, but the best part about her game is that she rarely makes a mistake with the ball. Berg is an excellent ball-handler and gets the most out of every offense she plays in.
Lily Cayley Lily Cayley 5'8" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2023 State WI -Team Wisconsin 2023
You won’t see many guards have a quicker first step than Cayley. The way she can attack ball screens to create an advantage is unique. When she comes off a high ball screen, she does an excellent job of making the right decision. Cayley does a good job reading defenses, and she’s seen it all. In high school, teams will throw all their resources at her, so not much could catch her off guard at this point.