Who to watch at the Summit League tournament

When the University of St. Thomas made the move to NCAA Division 1 competition last season, nobody knew quite what to expect, and there were plenty of questions, the biggest of which was probably this: Would they be able to compete? The answer has been a resounding ‘yes’ and this week the Tommies will take the next step in their D1 journey by playing in the Summit League Tournament for the first time. St. Thomas, seeded 8th, opens play on Friday at 12:30 p.m. against #9 Western Illinois. We look forward to being courtside for that and all of the other action in Sioux Falls.

Last year, in their inaugural season, the Tommies went 4-14 in the Summit League, 7-21 overall. This winter they are 12-16 and finished the Summit League season at 7-11. On Jan. 28 they scored a big victory over South Dakota in Vermillion. The Tommies closed out their regular season last Saturday at home by knocking off a hot North Dakota squad. Clearly UST is making progress.

For us, having St. Thomas in the Summit League has been a big win. That’s because there are products of Minnesota girls high school basketball on the rosters of six of the league’s 10 teams, a total of 24 players who we watched, evaluated and wrote about on the way up. We have been able to watch their progress at the collegiate level and so have the next generation of players trying to get to the same lofty heights. Attendance at St. Thomas games has grown steadily over the past two years and there are several high school teams at every game. As they say, “If you see it you can be it!”

If you are heading for Sioux Falls to watch live, or if you plan to follow the exploits of your favorite teams online, here are some Minnesota players to watch.

TOP 10 MINNESOTANS TO WATCH

Kacie Borowicz, North Dakota – The 2019 graduate of Roseau won a state championship in high school and was selected as Minnesota’s Miss Basketball in 2019 when she was a Top 5 prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops rankings. Kacie has had a stellar college career. The 5’9 guard is the Summit League’s 2nd-leading scorer at nearly 20 points per game, is 2nd in assists and 6th in steals. When the game is on the line, Borowicz is at her best.

Tori Nelson, South Dakota State – The Jackrabbits ran the tables in the Summit League going a perfect 18-0 in the regular season. They are heavy favorites to capture the tournament title, as well, and make a run in the NCAA tournament. Nelson is a big reason why. The 6’1 forward played at Henry Sibley (now Two Rivers) High School in Mendota Heights and was an AAU teammate of Borowicz with the Minnesota Stars. She is a super-versatile contributor and strong defender.

Heaven Hamling, North Dakota State – Nobody in the Summit League is more entertaining to watch than Hamling, a gunslinger guard from Grand Rapids and the Minnesota Stars who has led a turnaround in the NDSU program. After spending her first collegiate season in Texas, Hamling transferred to be closer to home and she has made a huge impact in Fargo. A Top 10 prospect in the Class of 2018, Heaven is Top 5 in the Summit League in scoring, assists, three-point shooting, and steals.

Paige Meyer, South Dakota State – Meyer’s collegiate career started off with a bang but was derailed last season by a torn ACL. After easing her way back into the lineup this season, Meyer has returned to form and is a huge reason why SDSU is playing at the level they are. A Top 10-rated prospect in Minnesota’s Class of 2021, the 5’6 guard from Albany and the Minnesota Comets is a gritty all-around performer who can grab a game by the throat and lead her team to victory.

Jade Hill, St. Thomas – It’s difficult to overstate just how much the Minneapolis South graduate means to the Tommies. Last year the Minnesota Fury product was heavily relied upon as a freshman to do it all. This season, Jade’s game has evolved and matured and her contributions have been exceptional. Sure her impact shows up in the stats, but it is Hill’s willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team and be a leader that really stands out.

Kallie Theisen, South Dakota State – The 6’1 forward from Wayzata is SDSU’s X-Factor. So much of what she does goes unnoticed by casual observers but the voice that really counts – SDSU head coach Aaron Johnston – cannot stop singing her praises. Theisen (pronounced Ty-son) is a force inside at both ends of the floor with a versatile skill set, a ton of length and an indomitable will. The superior rebounder and shot blocker was our #1 prospect in the Class of 2019.

Claire Orth, North Dakota – The 5’10 guard from Centennial was a Top 25 prospect in the Class of 2018 and she has lived up to all expectations in an exceptional five-year career. Orth is a versatile guard/wing who produces on a consistent basis. In addition to shooting at better than 50% from the field, and being the Fighting Hawks’ second-leading scorer at 11 points per game, Claire is known for her defensive prowess and produces a ton of steals and blocks.

Macy Guebert, South Dakota – The 2019 graduate of Eastview and North Tartan is a versatile combo guard who has started every game for the Coyotes, averaging 33 minutes and providing a steadying presence. The 16th-rated prospect in Minnesota’s Class of 2019, Macy waited in the wings for her opportunity and has seized it this year with gusto. Numbers don’t do justice to Guebert’s contributions, but she has played a big role in the Coyotes having earned the #4 seed in this weekend’s tournament.

Abby Schulte, North Dakota State – We were bullish on Schulte from the very first time we saw her in the 9th grade playing on the JV team at Fall League. The #9 prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2020 had an outstanding career with Maple Grove and the Minnesota Stars, and that excellence has carried over to the college level. Schulte is one of the league’s most well-rounded players. The 5’10 guard distributes, scores, defends, and leads and has been instrumental in NDSU’s resurgence.

Taylor Brown, North Dakota State – The 2018 graduate of Lakeville North is one of the Summit League’s top newcomers this year. After an outstanding career at American University in Washington, D.C., Brown was a grad transfer to NDSU this season and her impact has been impressive. She has started every game this season for the Bison, playing big minutes, rebounding and defending at a high level while providing a veteran leader’s presence.

Jo Langbehn, St. Thomas – Jo has come so far over the past year and a half, growing and maturing and gaining confidence in her capabilities along the way. On most nights, the 6’2 post from Elk River and North Tartan has been a force at both ends of the floor and is one of the Summit League’s most improved players. She is averaging over 11 points per game while shooting at better than 62 percent. Jo had a season high 29 against Kansas City Feb. 11 and earned Summit League Player of the Week honors.

MINNESOTANS ON THE ROSTERS

South Dakota State (Brookings)

Kallie Theisen – junior, Wayzata

Tori Nelson – junior, Henry Sibley

Paige Meyer – sophomore, Albany

Ellie Colbeck – freshman, Fergus Falls

Madison Mathiowetz – freshman, Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s

South Dakota (Vermillion)

Macy Guebert – senior, Eastview

Sophie Haydon – sophomore, Minnetonka (George Washington)

Natalie Mazurek – sophomore, Eden Prairie

Cassidy Carson – redshirt freshman, Eastview

North Dakota State (Fargo)

Heaven Hamling – senior, Grand Rapids (Stephen F. Austin)

Taylor Brown – senior, Lakeville North (American University)

Abby Schulte – junior, Maple Grove

Commits – 2023s (Wayzata), (Grand Rapids), (Montevideo); 2024s (Maple Grove), (Centennial)

North Dakota (Grand Forks)

Jolene Daninger – grad student, Andover (DePaul)

Kacie Borowicz – senior, Roseau

Claire Orth – grad student, Centennial

Mikayla Aumer – freshman, Cambridge-Isanti

St. Thomas (St. Paul)

Autam Mendez – grad student, Cretin-Derham Hall (San Jose State, NIACC)

Jordyn Glynn – senior, Grand Meadow

Jade Hill – sophomore, Minneapolis South

Jo Langbehn – sophomore, Elk River

Jordyn Lamker – sophomore, Maple Grove

Ellie Dague – redshirt freshman, Henning (NDSU)

Amber Scalia – freshman, Stillwater

Commits: 2023 (St. Croix Lutheran); 2024s (St. Croix Lutheran), (Eastview)

UMKC (Kansas City)

Tamia Ugass – sophomore, Roseville

WESTERN ILLINOIS

Zareia Chevre – sophomore, Simley (Monmouth University)

OTHERS WITH MINNESOTA CONNECTIONS

Haleigh Timmer – The South Dakota State guard from Rapid City played AAU for North Tartan.

Walker Demers – The South Dakota guard from Grafton, ND, played AAU for North Tartan.

Dru Gylten – The South Dakota State guard came from the University of Utah as a grad transfer this season. The native of Rapid City played AAU for North Tartan.

THE SCHEDULE

All games will be played at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Games are available online at ESPN+

Friday, March 3

12:30 p.m. – #8 St. Thomas vs #9 Western Ilinois

3 p.m. – #7 Denver vs #8 Missouri-Kansas City

Saturday, March 4

12:30 p.m. – Winner of UST/WI vs #1 South Dakota State

3 p.m. – Winner of DU/UMKC vs #2 North Dakota State

Sunday, March 5

12:30 p.m. – #4 South Dakota vs #5 Oral Roberts

3 p.m. – #3 North Dakota vs #6 Omaha

Monday, March 6