Which sophomores will break out in the post-season?

There's no bigger stage in Minnesota basketball than the high school State Tournament at Williams Arena. Brightest lights. Biggest audience. Best opportunity to show what you can do. Every year, it seems, there are players who rise to the occasion in Minneapolis and serve up a breakout performance. Remember Katie Borowicz leading Roseau to the title as an 8th grader? The mondo performance we saw from Becker's [player_tooltip player_id='108304' first='Maren' last='Westin'] before she was a household name? Last year's revelation of just how much [player_tooltip player_id='296515' first='Hope' last='Counts'], the young Providence Academy forward, is capable of? The question is, who will it be this year? Here are some sophomores who just might make headlines in the 2022-23 post season.   THE BIG 5   [player_tooltip player_id='212489' first='Sophie' last='Hawkinson'] – guard, Wayzata   We know just how much Sophie is capable of. Hard-core high school and AAU observers understand clearly why she is the 8th-ranked prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2025. College basketball coaches are well aware of what Sophie could do at the next level. But casual observers, including the happy chat TV folks who drop into the girls basketball landscape once a year and pretend to be knowledgeable, have no idea. That could change if Wayzata is able to knock off Hopkins to win Section 6AAAA. Hawkinson (pictured above) has had a standout season for Wayzata in tandem with Minnesota-bound senior [player_tooltip player_id='108345' first='Brynn' last='Senden'] in the Trojans' backcourt. Averaging nearly 12 points per game, Hawkinson has consistently hit big shots, made big plays, and seized the big moments. This year she just might do it on the biggest stage.   [player_tooltip player_id='330743' first='Abby' last='Hoselton'] – forward, St. Michael-Albertville   When we first watched Abby as an 8th grader she was as green as grass. (Remember what grass looks like?) You could see the potential, but Hoselton was a long way from polished. Fast forward two years, a ton of high-level AAU experience, and another season of varsity basketball later and Hoselton is the real deal. That's why she is getting mid-major collegiate opportunities galore, and why she is a key piece if STMA is going to make it back to the State Tournament. Now a Top 10-ranked prospect, the versatile forward has started every game for the Knights, averaging 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2 steals per game. She is a reliable presence for STMA coach Kent Hamre and a big reason why he collected his 400th win this week. Abby's time has come.   [player_tooltip player_id='208185' first='Liana' last='Buckhalton'] – guard/wing, Stillwater   Last winter was a little rough for Li as she worked through some injury challenges and gradually found her way in varsity basketball. What a difference a year makes! Now she is a force, a top-three scorer (nearly 12 ppg) on a strong Class 4A squad, with a legitimate chance to shine on the big stage. If you watch Buckhalton's highlight videos what you'll see is a whole lot of defensive excellence. She uses her length and athleticism to make life extremely difficult for opponents attempting to execute on offense. Now, at the other end of the floor, she is just so impressive herself. With monster strides, next-level body control, and an enviable box of tools, the 6-footer has taken her game to new heights. Li is the #12-rated prospect in this year's sophomore class and a strong Division 1 candidate.   [player_tooltip player_id='296530' first='Gracie' last='Winge'] – guard, Lakeville North   Like Buckhalton, Winge's freshman year was derailed by injuries. Essentially 2022-23 represented a reset for the big guard, an opportunity to earn her way into the collective consciousness of high school basketball and prove again that she could play at a high level. This winter that is exactly what Winge has done. She is a key piece in Lakeville North's scheme of things and among the team's top three scorers at nearly 10 points per game. She is big and strong and crafty, and Winge has proven that she can really shoot the basketball. Ranked in the Top 25 of the Class of 2025, Winge plays a simple game, already has a college body, and unquestionably possesses the potential to play at the Division 1 level. Despite the success of Rochester Mayo (crowned Big 9 champions on Saturday), and excellent seasons from Lakeville South and Rochester Century, the Panthers are the favorites to emerge from Section 1AAAA which should introduce Gracie to the masses. It will be attention well-earned.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Borowicz-trio.jpg?w=977" alt="" class="wp-image-605404" width="489" height="512" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Borowicz crew: Katie, Kacie and Savannah</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='330744' first='Savannah' last='Borowicz'] – guard, Jordan   Savi has already had a breakout regular season. Perhaps a break through post-season is next. It has been an outstanding year for Jordan so far as the Jaguars have posted a record of 23-2, going 9-1 in league play to capture their first Wright County East title. Borowicz earned All-Conference honors and no wonder. Her command of the Jags offense has been nothing short of excellent. She plays with poise, intelligence and an understanding of how to control the tempo of a basketball game. The results speak for themselves. The #35-rated prospect in the sophomore class has averaged nearly 15 points per game along with 6.3 rebounds while shooting in the high 30-percent range from long distance. Her top-level AAU experience has been crucial in Savi's development, and she's had some great role models to follow. Pictured above on Saturday with her cousins Katie Borowicz of the University of Minnesota and Kacie Borowicz of North Dakota, Savi just might stir up some memories of their stellar performances on the big stage.   TWO MORE TO TRACK   [player_tooltip player_id='339131' first='Kate' last='Kapsner'] – wing, Benilde-St. Margaret's   It's not easy to draw attention being surrounded by superstars. With high-major recruits [player_tooltip player_id='177728' first='Olivia' last='Olson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='296523' first='Kendall' last='McGee'] drawing most of the notice during the Red Knights' season, Kapsner is among the supporting cast that makes it possible for the stars to shine. In a playoff scenario, however, when teams will be game planning even more than usual to stop the shiny objects, there's opportunity for the 5'11 forward to step up. She has been top 5 this season for BSM in points, rebounds and assists and recently took a big jump up in the rankings to #54. We won't be surprised if she has a breakout performance in the post-season.   [player_tooltip player_id='453768' first='Celia' last='Lind'] – guard, Holy Angels   We've been excited about the possibilities for Celia for the past couple of seasons. Although she was not yet an impact player at the varsity level, Lind showed flashes of brilliance in AAU that were undeniable. What appeared to be missing was self-belief and a willingness to take the kind of risks on the basketball court that can propel a career up the next step on the ladder. This winter that potential has turned into productivity on many more occasions. The 5'10 guard can do stuff with her body that the vast majority of players cannot. She has become a key piece for the Stars, who will battle it out with Benilde-St. Margaret's, Delano and Orono for the right to represent Section 6AAA at State. This is Lind's best opportunity to break through and become the player she has the potential to be.   LOOKING FOR A LONG SHOT?   [player_tooltip player_id='396435' first='Addison' last='Hoof'] – guard, Lester Prairie   Let's be real here. The chances that Lester Prairie gets past Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart or Mayer Lutheran in Section 2A are pretty slim. The odds are solid, as well, that either Sleepy Eye or their cross-town rivals from Sleepy Eye St. Mary's will advance. But you never know. If any single player in the section could carry her team to that kind of post-season run and a string of upsets it's Ms. Hoof. The alpha guard has established herself in AAU basketball as a force to be reckoned with. Ranked #55 in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2025, she is super fast, very quick, really athletic and plays the game with the kind of passion every coach wants out of a next-level prospect. Hoof is averaging 23 points per game this season along with over 5 rebounds, 5 steals and nearly 3 assists. Class A is a place where outsiders can make a real run. If the Bulldogs are this year's Cinderella story, Hoof will be the primary reason why.

There's no bigger stage in Minnesota basketball than the high school State Tournament at Williams Arena. Brightest lights. Biggest audience. Best opportunity to show what you can do. Every year, it seems, there are players who rise to the occasion in Minneapolis and serve up a breakout performance. Remember Katie Borowicz leading Roseau to the title as an 8th grader? The mondo performance we saw from Becker's Maren Westin Maren Westin 5'8" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN before she was a household name? Last year's revelation of just how much Hope Counts Hope Counts 6'2" | SF Providence Academy | 2025 State MN , the young Providence Academy forward, is capable of? The question is, who will it be this year? Here are some sophomores who just might make headlines in the 2022-23 post season.