Who raised their stock over Thanksgiving?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're always fired up entering a new high school season to see which players will make big strides forward in their development and level of performance. Over the weekend at the Twin Cities Thanksgiving Tipoff tournament and the Hamline University Pat Patterson Invitational, we saw several quality prospects who wasted no time showing they are ready to rock and roll this winter. Here are some prospects who raised their stock over Thanksgiving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":556959,"width":400,"height":263,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/11/Lydia-Lakanen-crop-1265x830-1669686784.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-556959" width="400" height="263"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='215971' first='Lydia' last='Lakanen'] <strong>– 2024 forward, Anoka</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This summer Lydia took big steps forward in her consistency, effort level and aggressiveness. She showed up for the high school season looking like a physical specimen with new-found confidence and energy. The Top 60 junior did an excellent job on opening day defending Top 5 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='296528' first='Sam' last='Wills'] of Visitation. Lydia took a good whack in the chin early, left the game to get patched up, and returned with even more gusto. Her play was the difference-maker as Anoka pulled off a tough 47-46 victory. Lydia is pushing 6 feet, has a big frame, a ton of strength and the agility and athleticism to defend both posts and guards. She is a shot blocker and rebounder who can also get to the rim to score. If Lakanen can consistently play the way she played this weekend there is probably a scholarship in her future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='392472' first='CeCe' last='Nesseth'] <strong>– 2024 wing, Minnetonka</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new coach can mean a fresh start for players who are craving an opportunity to show that they have what it takes to make a true impact for their team. With Brian Cosgriff taking over at Minnetonka, that opportunity now exists for a ton of players including Nesseth, a 6-foot wing with length, speed, athleticism and skill. Cece was in the starting lineup Saturday when we watched the Skippers take on DeLaSalle and she made the most of her opportunity. It was her defensive play that really stood out. Nesseth was more physical than we have seen from her in the past. She was scrapping for every inch each time she took the floor. Nesseth is one of those players sitting on a ton of potential but needing that extra dose of confidence to bring it to fruition. We saw that on Saturday. If Cece keeps this up, and continues to focus on defending to the utmost, the Top 125 prospect will likely make a big jump up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Megan Corkery</strong> <strong>– 2023 guard, Minnetonka</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like Nesseth, Corkery has been waiting in the wings to demonstrate what she is capable of. That became immediately apparent at the first big Breakdown event of the summer when Minnetonka's new coaches played about 15 kids in the first couple of games. Megan seized the moment, demonstrating that her speed, quickness and tenacity were assets that could be utilized. She's only about 5'5 but makes up for a lack of size with an infectious brand of energy that is contagious. Corkery was everywhere against the Islanders, excelling defensively, chipping in a few points and providing a spark that will serve her well this year and beyond. What really stood out was just how much fun Corkery was having. Something tells us she's going to have a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='215457' first='London' last='Harris'] <strong>– 2025 guard, Hopkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt that Hopkins brings a starting lineup to the table that is a force to be reckoned with. That's not at all surprising given that they are one of the best programs in the country. Regardless, to live up to their lofty standards of success once again this season, the Royals will need some of their younger players to step up and contribute in a big way of the bench. That is exactly what London did at the Thanksgiving Tipoff. The 5'9 sophomore guard, who is ranked #32 in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2025, employed her speed, quickness and on-court intelligence to put her fingerprints all over the game. She was playing with poise, discipline and confidence, assets that can propel a young player to new heights. We loved what we saw from London over the weekend and look forward to more this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='362575' first='Callie' last='Oakland'] <strong>– 2026 forward, St. Croix Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Callie was a regular for coach David Mielke last winter as an 8th grader. That alone says a ton about her abilities. What Oakland showed over the weekend, however, demonstrated just how far Callie has come in the past year. Now north of 6 feet with a big frame, Callie has improved her footwork, her shooting range, and her ball handling. She is also a terrific passer with nice court vision. Oakland also illustrated her ability to finish consistently around the rim by going 10-for-11 from the field for 21 points on Friday against Grand Rapids. Saturday she delivered another double-double with 20 points against Mountain Iron-Buhl, a game in which her size, strength and prodigious rebounding was the differentiator. Oakland averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per game last season when she was just figuring things out. Who knows what's possible now for the #13-rated prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three more who improved their prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='339193' first='Emma' last='Walsh']</strong> – Before the season started Centennial coach Jamie Sobolik told us that Emma was poised for a big year, her first as a varsity regular. She certainly showed that against Chaska. Walsh's length, energy and aggressiveness made her stand out from the crowd.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='148336' first='Kylie' last='Smith'] – The 2023 forward drew a tough assignment on opening weekend for Eastview when she was asked to defend Hutchinson post [player_tooltip player_id='108313' first='Brynn' last='Beffert'], a D1 commit (Lafayette) with size and skill. The 5'11 Smith, a top 150 senior, did a more-than-admirable job and never backed down.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='212488' first='Myah' last='Maull'] – The talented 2025 guard from Eastview has always been a skilled scorer who could do good work one-on-one. This weekend she showed tremendous progress as a distributor, passer, and defender who could be special within the Lightning's team-first approach.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->