The Week That Was #11: Making a lap of Minnesota

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 11 began with a whirlwind lap of Minnesota – an online journey from the comfort of my home office that took us to Montgomery, Lanesboro, Sebeka, Pipestone, Houston and Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis. It ended with an all-day, out-and-back to Alexandria for the Breakdown Winter Lakes Classic – 300 actual miles and 16 hours invested where we witnessed one of the season's top performances courtesy of the Orono Spartans. Here's a look at the best of The Week That Was #11.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GAME OF THE WEEK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have seen both St. Peter and Marshall a number of times this winter. We wish we had been there when the two teams faced each other Friday in Marshall, a game in which the Saints prevailed on the road 78-75 in triple overtime. It was a tight match-up throughout with St. Peter holding a 6-point lead at halftime. It looked like they'd take home the W with a three-point edge in the final seconds, but senior [player_tooltip player_id='302259' first='Brianna' last='Simpson'] of the Tigers had other plans. She banked in a running floater as time expired to tie the game at 56 and force overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the end of the first extra period it was St. Peter that executed the dramatic play when sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='208187' first='Annika' last='Southworth'] made a buzzer-beater from about 30 feet to tie it up at 63-63. At the end of OT #2 it was more of the same as Simpson jugged another lengthy shot to tie the game at 70. Similar heroics nearly happened again at the conclusion of the third extra session, but freshman [player_tooltip player_id='589276' first='Taleigha' last='Bigler'] of Marshall saw her last-ditch attempt narrowly miss. In the game MSU-Mankato commit [player_tooltip player_id='178267' first='Rhyan' last='Holmgren'] scored 43 points to come within one of the single-game record for St. Peter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NEWCOMERS OF NOTE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":595004,"width":385,"height":257,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Ashley-Fitzgibbons.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-595004" width="385" height="257" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter/MikeFitzgibbon8</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='594874' first='Ashley' last='Fitzgibbons'] <strong>– 2027 guard, Big Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a rough year in Big Lake where the Hornets are struggling mightily. In spite of the adversity, however, the play of the 8th grader has been a bright spot. Ashley earned a spot on the varsity roster last season and this year has been a consistently productive performer for coach Reyan Robinson. Fitzgibbons has started every game is the team's second-leading scorer at over 9 points per game, including a 20-point performance against St. Cloud and 23 versus North Branch. She has great court vision, a scorer's mentality, and a strong work ethic. Perhaps more importantly Fitzgibbons has been one of the team's best lock-down defenders. We'll be watching Ashley this summer with Minnesota Stars Antl as we evaluate the Class of 2027 for the Freshmen 50 in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Bass – 2025 guard, Becker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw Becker knock off Sauk Centre on Saturday at the Breakdown event in Alexandria. Once again we watched the Bulldogs easing some of their younger players into bigger roles, including Bass. The wiry guard has really improved her ball handling and shooting over the past couple of years and can get hot at any given time. She was 2-for-3 from the field on Saturday and had 6 points, just slightly above her season average. Bass is playing between 8 and 15 minutes a game depending on the opponent. As her finishing around the rim and her defensive play improves look for Bass to become a bigger factor for the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MILESTONES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two weeks ago we reported on another achievement by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='148319' first='Olivia' last='Harazin'] of Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (banner photo) when she became the Knights' all-time leading scorer. Last week the crafty point guard topped the 2,000 career points milestone. Harazin has been a three-sport athlete since 7th grade at LCWM where she is also in the National Honor Society and plays in the band. She'll play college basketball at Dordt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='302256' first='Avery' last='Koenen'] of Montevideo also reached 2,000 points last week to go along with her 1,000-rebound milestone set earlier this season. The 16th-ranked senior in Minnesota will play next year at North Dakota State University in Fargo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four others became their school's all-time points leaders during week #11:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='339135' first='Elizabeth' last='Wagner'] of Luverne (Southwest Minnesota State)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='178263' first='Laura' last='Hauge'] of St. Croix Lutheran (St. Thomas)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Senior <strong>Brooke Naas</strong> of Mountain Lake-Comfrey</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='302269' first='Jada' last='Bierschbach'] of Rocori (St. Scholastica)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":595005,"width":512,"height":320,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Liz-Gadient-1000.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-595005" width="512" height="320" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter/GoodhueAct</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are this week's 1,000-point scorers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='302307' first='Elisabeth' last='Gadient'] of Goodhue, a 2024 standout and Division 1 candidate</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":595010,"width":289,"height":512,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Finley-Ohnstad_Taylor-Clarey-1000s.jpg?w=578" alt="" class="wp-image-595010" width="289" height="512" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter/ChaddClarey</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='178270' first='Finley' last='Ohnstad'] of Lakeville South (Kansas State) and [player_tooltip player_id='302314' first='Taylor' last='Clarey'] of Rochester Century both reached 1,000 in the same game last week, the third week in a row we've seen a daily double like that.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='186119' first='Ayla' last='Brown'] of Becker (Sioux Falls) became the third 1,000-point scorer in the Bulldogs lineup joining teammates [player_tooltip player_id='108338' first='Dani' last='Nuest'] (Michigan Tech) and [player_tooltip player_id='108304' first='Maren' last='Westin'] (UW-Green Bay).</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":595015,"width":488,"height":512,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Jhane-Green-1000.jpg?w=976" alt="" class="wp-image-595015" width="488" height="512" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter/Jhanaegreen</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='108329' first='Jhanae' last='Green'] of Minneapolis Southwest (Iowa Lakes) didn't waste any time making her presence felt in her first game back from a torn ACL. The senior guard had 11 points against Minneapolis North to reach 1,000 for her high school career.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":595021,"width":512,"height":315,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Karly-Jusczak-1000.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-595021" width="512" height="315" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter/PineCityMNGBB</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='302309' first='Karly' last='Jusczak'] of Pine City (Nebraska-Kearney) reached 1,000 on her birthday.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":595022,"width":407,"height":512,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Hannah-Stark-1000.png?w=815" alt="" class="wp-image-595022" width="407" height="512" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter/hannahstark32</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='186143' first='Hannah' last='Stark'] of Yellow Medicine East, senior guard committed to Briar Cliff in Iowa</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Anna Steer</strong> of Hawley reached 1,000 points against Crookston.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='474480' first='Liv' last='Birkeland'] of Hermantown reached 1,000 against Rock Ridge. She's committed to MSU-Moorhead to run track.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one final milestone of note, senior [player_tooltip player_id='148315' first='Emily' last='Christenson'] of East Ridge established a new standard for three-point shooting as she recorded her 229th career triple on Feb. 2 against Irondale. Christenson, who is one of the top unsigned prospects in the Class of 2023, leads the Raptors in scoring at nearly 17 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='335641' first='Trinity' last='Wilson'] of Lakeville North set a new standard for the Panthers with 24 rebounds in a single game. She did it in a 59-57 regulation-time win over Prior Lake.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='502561' first='Marta' last='Forsline'] and sophomore <strong>Alyssa Prophet</strong> of Mesabi East continued their productive partnership in a win over Hibbing. Forsline the forward had 43 points and 14 rebounds while Prophet the guard went 24 and 17.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='322999' first='Jocelyn' last='Land'] of Holy Family had a 40-point performance against Delano last week but it wasn't enough to tame the Tigers, who have won 14 of their last 15 games. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='178273' first='Taylor' last='Tool'] scored 25 for Delano while freshman [player_tooltip player_id='458302' first='Abbie' last='Pietila'] had 17.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On Friday junior [player_tooltip player_id='339128' first='Steph' last='Cink'] of St. Clair made 10 three-pointers and scored 32 points in a win over Alden-Conger. On Saturday St. Clair freshman [player_tooltip player_id='502551' first='Brooklin' last='Hinze'], who was just added to our 2026 rankings, put up 35 points against Triton.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='220846' first='Mya' last='Morris'] (Valley City State) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='178271' first='Willow' last='Thiel'] from Perham have been on fire all year. Morris has been deadly from beyond the arc, making 77 of her 162 attempts for a 48% success rate and the team has made 176 threes. During a recent 8-game stretch Morris shot nearly 60% from three-point range. Last week Theil had another double-double with 22 points and 20 rebounds against East Grand Forks. She's averaging 19 and 11. <strong>UPDATE: </strong>On Monday night after we published this article Morris went 6-for-11 from three to set a new single-season record for made threes at Perham. She is now at 83 with at least a half-dozen games left.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='252381' first='Maddyn' last='Greenway'] continues to rewrite the record books at Providence Academy. The freshman set a single-game record with 13 assists against Southwest Christian. It was part of a triple-double that included 12 rebounds and 26 points. Is there anything this kid can't do?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->