2024 rankings update: Who raised their stock?

There is always movement whenever we update a particular class in the Prep Girls Hoops prospect rankings. It's inevitable. With the release of the new Class of 2024 rankings, however, we're seeing the least amount of movement in any class we have evaluated since I've been around. In the Top 50 there are just two changes as the Kottke twins from Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart and the Minnesota Rise now find themselves in the Top 50. Each of them has risen by six positions: [player_tooltip player_id='304915' first='Rachel' last='Kottke'] is now at #49 and [player_tooltip player_id='304916' first='Kristi' last='Kottke'] is at #50. Congratulations to two of the hardest-working prospects we've ever seen.   Just because there wasn't much movement at the north end of the list doesn't mean there weren't other players earning a promotion. Three athletes have risen 25 places or more. In addition, five players have moved up by double digits. We've highlighted those eight below, along with a half dozen other notable stock risers.   THE BIG 3   +43 [player_tooltip player_id='339216' first='Ayelishka' last='Teko-Folly'] – forward, Rosemount   If you've seen Rosemount play this winter, or if you read our January feature on the Teko-Folly sisters, then it won't come as a surprise to learn that Ayelishka is our biggest stock riser of this update cycle. The 6'0 forward moves up a whopping 43 positions to #73. Irish Coach Chris Orr had nothing but praise for her play when we talked. It is the year-over-year improvement that really speaks volumes as Ayelishka has become a more consistent finisher, a more voracious rebounder and a really good shot blocker. She has height, length, elevation and athleticism, all assets that make her a scholarship-level prospect.   +36 [player_tooltip player_id='350109' first='Bria' last='Stenstrom'] – guard, Mounds View   Size is so important when it comes to being successful in college basketball and it has a great impact throughout the recruiting process. For small guards like Bria, they have to show they're exceptional in key areas in over to overcome preconceived notions. At about 5'5, Stenstrom has done exactly that. She's an excellent ball-handler who can run an offense, play at a high tempo and score the basketball. She's averaging 19 ppg for the Mustangs and had 42- and 31-point games against Stillwater. We should have moved her up earlier – that's on us – but are happy to report that Bria now rises 36 positions to #68. That's good timing given that Stenstrom received a well-deserved D2 offer a few days ago.   +25 [player_tooltip player_id='392475' first='Brooke' last='Christianson'] – guard, Glencoe-Silver Lake   Brooke's situation is similar to Bria's. Christianson stands perhaps 5'6 but with a strong, muscular build she's not going to get manhandled by many opponents. Offensively Christianson is a key contributor for the Panthers and the Minnesota Rise, averaging 13 points per game this winter, but she's also posting 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals per game. Brooke's real asset for the next level is her defensive abilities and her never-say-die approach. When Christianson gets up in your kitchen and turns on the heat, she is very difficult to get by. She understands defensive principles and executes them to plan. With all of that going for her, Brooke has earned a jump of 25 spots to #101.   THE NEXT 5   +16 [player_tooltip player_id='304920' first='Ava' last='Thompson'] – guard, Rosemount   Ava has had a great winter and has been a vital cog in Rosemount's success. She has always been skilled and speedy, and has never had a problem playing fast. It is her improved game management abilities and an enhanced understanding of when to go and when to slow that has really been obvious. Ava rises 16 positions to #85.   +16 [player_tooltip player_id='350102' first='Gabi' last='Kirchner'] – forward, Two Rivers   It has been a bit of a rough campaign for the former Henry Sibley squad, but through the trials and tribulations of the season the one player who could be counted upon is Kirchner. She leads the team in scoring (12), rebounds consistently and knows how to compete. The 6'3 forward runs the floor well, has good mobility, and her finishing skills are much-improved. Gabi rises 16 slots to #92 with potential for much more.   +13 [player_tooltip player_id='461347' first='Maddie' last='Olinger'] – guard, Jordan   Jordan is having a heckuva season with 24 wins already in the books and excellent post-season prospects. While much of the limelight has shone on the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='330744' first='Savannah' last='Borowicz'], [player_tooltip player_id='186134' first='Jenna' last='Kluxdal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='502602' first='Morgan' last='Staloch'], Ollinger has contributed more than her share to the effort. If you need grit, energy, a really big motor and a ton of intangibles, get Maddie on the line because she is a winner. Olinger moves up 13 spots to #130.   +11 [player_tooltip player_id='304922' first='Ava' last='Haus'] – guard, St. Michael-Albertville   On a team loaded with top-end talent and a shot at a state championship, it's easy to focus attention on the stars. STMA's most-improved yet least-heralded player this season, however, has been Haus. The high IQ guard is known as a knock-down shooter, and she's averaging 10 ppg on 54% from the field and 49% from three. Now she's also getting to the rim, defending at a high level and doing the dirty work that wins basketball games. Ava moves up 11 places to #77.   +10 [player_tooltip player_id='339188' first='Evie' last='Kompelien'] – guard, Orono   Like Haus, Kompelien is often overlooked by anyone who is watching Orono. It's hard to take your eyes off of precocious youngsters like [player_tooltip player_id='471360' first='Mya' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'], Evie is an incredibly dependable contributor, who draws the toughest assignments, and plays a multitude of roles for coach Chris Bjorgaard. She is a great communicator, strong defender and a real leader. That's why the 5'8 guard is moving up 10 spots to #124.   OTHER STOCK RISERS OF NOTE   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='304930' first='Grace' last='Hamdorf'] – The versatile guard and standout shooter from Minnetonka rises from #65 to #57.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='339107' first='Jordyn' last='Schmittdiel'] – The athletic guard from White Bear Lake moves up from #66 to #60.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='304927' first='Ella' last='Kletti'] – The energetic guard from Mahtomedi has also risen six positions from #70 to #64.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='461341' first='Maggie' last='Westling'] – The big forward from Milaca was having a standout season until she tore her ACL but she still earned a bump of six to #112.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='339117' first='Evyn' last='Eppinga'] – The super-quick guard from Anoka has improved again from #130 to #122.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='392471' first='Brianna' last='Nusbaum'] – The lengthy guard from Spring Lake Park rises six positions from #137 to #131.</li> </ul>

There is always movement whenever we update a particular class in the Prep Girls Hoops prospect rankings. It's inevitable. With the release of the new Class of 2024 rankings, however, we're seeing the least amount of movement in any class we have evaluated since I've been around. In the Top 50 there are just two changes as the Kottke twins from Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart and the Minnesota Rise now find themselves in the Top 50. Each of them has risen by six positions: Rachel Kottke Rachel Kottke 5'8" | CG Buffalo Lake-H-S | 2024 State MN is now at #49 and Kristi Kottke Kristi Kottke 5'8" | CG Buffalo Lake-H-S | 2024 State MN is at #50. Congratulations to two of the hardest-working prospects we've ever seen.