The Freshmen 50: Meet the rest of the Top 20
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Last week we introduced the first 10 players atop the rankings in the Prep Girls Hoops Freshmen 50, our first stratification of this year’s 9th grade class. It wasn’t easy figuring out who fit where in the Top 10 in…
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Continue ReadingLast week we introduced the first 10 players atop the rankings in the Prep Girls Hoops Freshmen 50, our first stratification of this year’s 9th grade class. It wasn’t easy figuring out who fit where in the Top 10 in the Class of 2026; it proved even harder to determine the optimal order among positions 11 through 20. After much debate, we have reached a consensus for this first edition. We’ll see if you agree.
As a reminder, these are the Top 10 prospects in the class:
- #T1 Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN – guard, Providence Academy
- #T1 Tori Oehrlein Tori Oehrlein 5'10" | CG Crosby-Ironton | 2026 State MN – guard, Crosby-Ironton
- #3 Lanelle Wright Lanelle Wright 5'8" | PG Minnetonka | 2026 State MN – guard, Minnetonka
- #4 Kate Amelotte Kate Amelotte 5'11" | SF Wayzata | 2026 State MN – forward, Wayzata
- #5 Cail Jahnke Cail Jahnke 6'2" | CG St. Michael-Albertville | 2026 State MN – guard, St. Michael-Albertville
- #6 Mya Moore Mya Moore 5'10" | PG Orono | 2026 State MN – guard, Orono
- #7 Audrey Shindelar Audrey Shindelar 6'0" | CG Stewartville | 2026 State MN – guard, Stewartville
- #8 Morgan Staloch Morgan Staloch 6'0" | PF Jordan | 2026 State MN – forward, Jordan
- #9 Vienna Murray Vienna Murray 6'0" | SG East Ridge | 2026 State MN – guard, Tartan
- #10 Kate Holmquist Kate Holmquist 5'7" | PG Maple Grove | 2026 State MN – guard, Maple Grove
And now the rest of the Top 20:
#11 Tucker is one of the most natural athletes in the class, with long strides, light feet and an enviable natural grace. To quote the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, Downs “floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.” Now pushing 5’11, she has length, reach, elevation and touch. Tucker is just barely scratching the surface of her potential right now, and we could see the Minnesota Rise Wright guard/wing move up the rankings as she gains more experience.
#12 Carter is one of three forwards occupying spots #12, #13 and #14 in the rankings and all three of them will play next spring for the Minnesota Fury. Vivian is a 6-footer with a solid build, excellent length and really tall parents and grandparents! She also has skills. Carter possesses ample athleticism, moves well around the court, and can elevate as required. Her shooting range has improved. So has her ability to beat defenders one-on-one to score off the bounce. Defensively she can guard every position.
Highlights
#13 While Carter is more about length and finesse, Oakland is all about strength and power. Standing around 6 feet tall with broad shoulders and a big frame, Callie cuts an imposing figure on the floor and she knows how to take advantage of her assets. She is a handful down low on offense. On defense she punishes all those who enter her territory. Even better, Oakland has touch, too, and a high basketball IQ. The lefty can also step back and knock down shots.
#14 Jayci is a rebounding machine, a long and lean and highly athletic forward with endless possibilities. The experience she gained this summer with North Tartan was immeasurable. That has been obvious in fall action where she has been aggressive and effective. Rath has terrific elevation, superior reach and knows how to gain position for maximum rebounding advantage. Those assets have made her a prodigious shot blocker, as well. Now over 6’1, Rath is a natural athlete with a world of potential.
#15 Most observers would agree that Dustin Wright’s 2026 team is the most talented squad the Minnesota Rise has ever had, including those led current MSU-Mankato floor general Joey Batt. Like Batt, Lewis has the ‘It Factor,’ that special something that enables her to run an offense with poise, precision and maturity regardless of the competition level. Brooklyn has elite handles, fast hands, quick feet and can shoot lights out. She is also a ton of fun to watch.
#16 Dalia has emerged this year as one of the most interesting prospects in the class. She was outstanding all summer for Matt Nilsen’s Minnesota Stars team, lit it up at the PGH Freshman Showcase, and has had two excellent weeks of fall league action to begin her high school career at Minnetonka. Thornton-Fay, who transferred in from Roseville, is a multi-dimensional talent – athletic, quick, fast and bouncy. Her first step is special as is her ability to change speeds on the fly.
#17 Morgan entered the summer as somewhat of a mystery. We’d seen Korf play on her high school team, but it was tough to gauge how she might fare against higher-level, more athletic opposition. Well scratch those concerns because Morgan did it all this summer in AAU for Inspired Athletics out of Fargo. Korf is the consummate floor general. She is a coach’s kid with a high IQ, a well-honed skill set, and the ability to match up with all manner of opponents. It’s no wonder the D1 coaches have come calling.
Highlights
#18 Abbie does it all. What you want from a point guard is what you get from Abbie. Elite handles? Yes. Great court vision? Yep. A nice feel for the game? Sure. The ability to execute under pressure with the contest on the line and the ball in her hands? Of course. She’s calm, cool and confident, and plays the game with a ton of passion. We keep telling kids to have fun on the floor and that is what Abbie does. The Fury have so many great guards and Pietila is among the best.
#19 We’ve seen plenty of Minneapolis Hills grace the PGH rankings over the years and now there is another one to watch. Sinae, daughter of P.J., is a big guard with a good-sized frame who has sprouted up and filled out over the past year. Coming off a great summer with the Minnesota Stars, Hill has moved to Minnehaha Academy for high school where she joins older sister Angel. Sinae is a quality athlete who can get down hill and make shots with range. She will be an impact player for the Redhawks.
#20 Brylee is the third member of Minnesota Rise Wright to earn her way into the Top 20 of the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026 rankings. If Downs is the high-flying gazelle, and Lewis is the ball-handling magician, then Miller is the junkyard dog whose bark is as big as her bite. She will hunt you down, rough you up and steal your basketball, and she’ll grin at you while doing it. Brylee is fast, she’s long, and she can jump out of the gym. What separates Miller from the rest of her peers is a motor that never stops roaring.