AAU State Prelims: Handicapping the 2025s (16U)

More than 50 teams will take to the court this weekend at the AAU State Prelims in the 16U Division representing a vast cross section of talent from the Class of 2025. How many of those units have a realistic shot of winning the whole thing? Precious few!   As we wrote about in our preview of the U17s, we'll remind you that the top six finishers in last year's tournament are automatically seeded into the so-called “Super Pools” to begin this year's event. If teams are no longer in existence, others are bumped up based on last year's performance, and alternates are determined. Rosters change from year to year which obviously impacts a team's performance. With that in mind, here are 10 teams worthy of the conversation in a semi-scientific look at how the 16U Division could shake out.   Top 6 seeds based on 2022 results:   1. North Tartan 2025 EYBL   2. MN Stars 2025 3SSB   3. Fury 2025 UAA   4. Crossfire 2025 Tusler   5. Crossfire 2025 Mueller   6. North Tartan 2025 Elite   THIS YEAR'S FAVORITES   Fury 2025 UAA   Any team led by [player_tooltip player_id='252379' first='Addison' last='Mack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='205298' first='Jordan' last='Ode'] is a team to be reckoned with. The 3rd-ranked Ode of Maple Grove and 4th-ranked Mack of Minnehaha are the two highest-rated prospects playing in the 16U Division, and their lengthy list of elite college offers reflects that. While they will no doubt lead coach Tim Ellefson's squad in their quest for a title, there are plenty of other stars in a stellar lineup that returns eight players from one year ago. These include St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='346166' first='Autumn' last='McCall'] (#11), [player_tooltip player_id='208185' first='Liana' last='Buckhalton'] (#12), [player_tooltip player_id='258599' first='Keagan' last='McVicker'] (#14) and [player_tooltip player_id='252480' first='Rae' last='Ehrman'] (#20). Guards [player_tooltip player_id='396433' first='Annika' last='Peper'] (#80) and [player_tooltip player_id='396435' first='Addison' last='Hoof'] (#55) are proven performers. Two new faces on this year's version of the Fury have each added something extra with forward [player_tooltip player_id='296747' first='Anna' last='Greene'] (#27) enhancing the team's post presence and [player_tooltip player_id='396431' first='Gabby' last='Fineday'] (#49) bringing elite shooting from beyond the arc.   North Tartan 2025 EYBL   North Tartan's premier 2025 group looks a little different this year but the core of a state championship team remains. Now led by former Cooper High School coach Kiara Buford, the squad features five Top 10 prospects from the Class of 2025: #6 [player_tooltip player_id='262910' first='Tori' last='Schlagel'], #7 [player_tooltip player_id='296513' first='Bree' last='Bowman'], #8 [player_tooltip player_id='212489' first='Sophie' last='Hawkinson'], #9 [player_tooltip player_id='330743' first='Abby' last='Hoselton'] and #10 [player_tooltip player_id='346165' first='Hadley' last='Thul']. Add 2026 #3 [player_tooltip player_id='252383' first='Lanelle' last='Wright'] at point guard and you have a really strong base. This year they've added one of the rising stars in Minnesota's sophomore class, 16th-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='296515' first='Hope' last='Counts'] of Providence Academy. Three North Dakota imports are making their presence felt, as well: 2025 #2 McKenna Johnson and #3 Jaiden Haile and 2026 #2 Maggie Fricke. This EYBL team may not have [player_tooltip player_id='252381' first='Maddyn' last='Greenway'] any longer but they do have a ton of length, a lot of skill and a boatload of D1 prospects.   THE CONTENDERS   MN Stars 2025 3SSB   The former Stars Borowicz team, now coached by Hamline University assistant Josh Hersch, has a long history of success. Unfortunately the centerpiece of that run of excellence will not be in the lineup this year. [player_tooltip player_id='296523' first='Kendall' last='McGee'] of Benilde-St. Margaret's, the #2 prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2025, is out with an ACL injury. That's a big blow, but it's not as if the Stars don't have the other pieces in place to make a run at the title. 2025 #35 [player_tooltip player_id='330744' first='Savannah' last='Borowicz'] of Jordan is coming off an admirable high school campaign and she will run the show from the point. Out on the wing is 5th-rated [player_tooltip player_id='296528' first='Sam' last='Wills'] of Visitation who received another D1 offer on Thursday. That's a stellar one-two punch. #22 [player_tooltip player_id='296531' first='Tatum' last='Woodson'], #32 [player_tooltip player_id='252380' first='Kendra' last='Harvey'] and #66 [player_tooltip player_id='396425' first='Anna' last='Trachsel'] are standout guards. #24 [player_tooltip player_id='346160' first='Ella' last='Keenan'] gives the Stars presence up front. And newcomers [player_tooltip player_id='337634' first='Elise' last='Dieterle'] (#26), [player_tooltip player_id='339192' first='Leilani' last='Abraham'] (#47) and emerging talent [player_tooltip player_id='520270' first='Harley' last='Wock'] (#92) offer a diverse skill set.   Crossfire 2025 Mueller   Coming off a top five finish one year ago, Todd Mueller's squad returns nine players this spring and the one newcomer is a huge addition – 2025 #23 [player_tooltip player_id='296530' first='Gracie' last='Winge'], a Division 1 prospect who migrated to Crossfire from North Tartan. The Lakeville North guard is joined by her high school teammates [player_tooltip player_id='346182' first='Elayna' last='Boe'] (ranked #36) and [player_tooltip player_id='396430' first='Aduke' last='Ojullu'] (#43) along with Lakeville South stalwart [player_tooltip player_id='339143' first='Danielle' last='Coleman'] (#28). Much-improved [player_tooltip player_id='339170' first='Josie' last='Horner'] (#147 and rising) of Prior Lake played very well when we watched a couple of weeks ago. Five veterans provide experience, reliability, and depth: [player_tooltip player_id='550013' first='Macie' last='Miller'] (#117), Clara Mueller, [player_tooltip player_id='339165' first='Rae' last='Skattum'], Hannah Hansen and Maggie Griffin. The thing that always impresses us about Mueller's team is how well they play together, how hard they work, and the maturity they display on the floor. That's a recipe for success everywhere the game is played.   WHO ELSE MIGHT CHALLENGE?   North Tartan 2025 Elite   The so-called “second” team from North Tartan would be a top team for most other clubs. Coached by former St. Thomas standout Macy Hatelstad, the Elite team made the top six last year. The core of the roster is really solid anchored by point guard [player_tooltip player_id='396423' first='Cierra' last='Kortan'] of Sauk Centre, the #37-rated prospect in the 2025 class. Alexandria's [player_tooltip player_id='346183' first='Chloe' last='Scholl'] (#59) and forward [player_tooltip player_id='396424' first='Addyson' last='Kath'] (#64) of Minnewaska are key pieces as is [player_tooltip player_id='550014' first='Lily' last='Osterman'] (#130) of Elk River and Camree Miller of Alexandria. The biggest news over the off-season was the addition of North Branch guard [player_tooltip player_id='205299' first='Ella' last='Kuhlman']. The #34 prospect in the class is a scholarship-level point guard and a real difference maker.   Crossfire 2025 Tusler   This team finished in the final four one year ago and cannot be underestimated. The squad is anchored by the highly-touted Hanna triplets of Maple Grove – #33 [player_tooltip player_id='206227' first='Lexi' last='Hanna'], #40 [player_tooltip player_id='337633' first='Bella' last='Hanna'] and #60 [player_tooltip player_id='339162' first='Addie' last='Hanna'] – who are great leaders with skill, grit and the ability to score the basketball. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='339132' first='Ella' last='Goodnature'] (#91) of Wayzata is coming off a breakthrough high school season. One question mark is what kind of impact losing forward [player_tooltip player_id='296747' first='Anna' last='Greene'] to the Fury will have. It's not easy replacing a scholarship-level post but newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='453749' first='Allison' last='Berns'] (#114) of Wayzata is an emerging talent. The other key addition is speedy guard [player_tooltip player_id='453781' first='Ella' last='Frazier'] (#74) of Mahtomedi, who is a force on both sides of the ball.   MN Stars 2025 Peterson   This is the former Stars DeSart squad now coached by AAU veteran Barry Peterson, who comes over from the Minnesota Comets. The team is anchored by crafty guards [player_tooltip player_id='453752' first='Aubrey' last='Burkhart'] (#115) of Southwest Christian and [player_tooltip player_id='453737' first='Sara' last='Hyde'] (#78) of Wayzata. They've got length from [player_tooltip player_id='339094' first='Kendra' last='Overskei'] (#52) of Maple Grove, [player_tooltip player_id='396440' first='Rae' last='Pearce'] (#86) of Orono, and [player_tooltip player_id='453768' first='Celia' last='Lind'] (#91) of Holy Angels. The addition of forward [player_tooltip player_id='471192' first='Isabelle' last='Kirchner'] (#100) of Two Rivers is also helpful. Although they will miss the departed [player_tooltip player_id='346181' first='Lydia' last='Schmitter'], this is a team that could make noise.   TEAMS THAT COULD SUPRISE   Metro Stars 2025 3SSB – Coached by Alexis Garcia of Hopkins, this is a talented group poised for a breakthrough. The addition of elite 8th grader [player_tooltip player_id='377584' first='Ava' last='Cupito'] and rising star [player_tooltip player_id='550025' first='Kendyl' last='Lodermeier'] (#61) to the lineup is huge. The core group includes the likes of #25 [player_tooltip player_id='337630' first='Brooklynn' last='Holmberg'], #46 [player_tooltip player_id='346180' first='Brandi' last='Washington'], #48 [player_tooltip player_id='396426' first='Vanessa' last='Jordan'], #51 [player_tooltip player_id='337632' first='Rory' last='Goddard'], #54 [player_tooltip player_id='339131' first='Kate' last='Kapsner'], [player_tooltip player_id='595566' first='Chloe' last='Netzinger'] (#119) and [player_tooltip player_id='339147' first='Camryn' last='Dennin'] (#144 and rising).   North Tartan SE 2025 – Russ Spear's group from Southeastern Minnesota looked awfully good at times at the recent Spring Showdown. Wisconsin guard Anna Fronk directs the show for a team with a lot of strong guards including [player_tooltip player_id='595553' first='Makenzie' last='Carrier'] (#88), Mya Jacobson and [player_tooltip player_id='595577' first='Marissa' last='Shute'] (#141). The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='642951' first='Bryn' last='Guse'] of Red Wing and the continued improvement of Caledonia's [player_tooltip player_id='339121' first='Josie' last='Foster'] (#94) are notable.   Rise 2025 Jeddeloh – The top Minnesota Rise team in this age group is anchored by Top 40 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='208187' first='Annika' last='Southworth'] of St. Peter along with [player_tooltip player_id='595575' first='Lainey' last='Braulick'] (#139 and rising), who led BOLD to the state high school tournament this year. Other key pieces include [player_tooltip player_id='396427' first='Madelyn' last='Malmgren'] (#63), , [player_tooltip player_id='453733' first='Emily' last='Anderson'] (#84), [player_tooltip player_id='550001' first='Rylie' last='Cother'] (#97 and rising), [player_tooltip player_id='396444' first='Morgan' last='Hulke'] (#104) and [player_tooltip player_id='533848' first='Zoe' last='Verhasselt'] (#118).

More than 50 teams will take to the court this weekend at the AAU State Prelims in the 16U Division representing a vast cross section of talent from the Class of 2025. How many of those units have a realistic shot of winning the whole thing? Precious few!