Newcomers we liked at the AAU State Prelims

Our focus at the State Prelims was on the top teams, the stronger units at the event that we consider to be contenders for a title. That doesn't mean we strayed too far from our ongoing mission at Prep Girls Hoops to discover emerging talent from across Minnesota. Here are a few players who made a great impression.   [player_tooltip player_id='502543' first='Lauren' last='Beyer'] – 2026 guard, MN Stars 2026 3SSB   Our definition of newcomer varies, and we were not unfamiliar with Lauren's game heading into the weekend. The 5'7 guard from Alexandria first came to our attention last fall at the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase. This winter she was normally the first player off the bench for coach Wendy Kohler on a strong Cardinals team. This weekend she played a crucial role as coach P.J. Hill's Stars earned the top seed with four impressive wins. While her high-profile teammates Lee Lee Bell and [player_tooltip player_id='478390' first='Sinae' last='Hill'] were drawing most of the attention, Beyer was contributing all over the floor. She is extremely athletic, super quick, very explosive and plays the game with zero fear. Lauren can knock down threes, has a nice midrange game and she scores consistently off the bounce. Those are great attributes to be sure, but the one asset that may have the most impact for Beyer going forward is the fact that she has emerged as a lock-down defender who uses her ample wingspan to get deflections and tips and force turnovers. This is something every college coach is looking for.   [player_tooltip player_id='653855' first='Ziyarah' last='Turner-Stensrud'] – 2025 forward, Metro Stars 3SSB   Ziyarah certainly looks the part. When the 5'11 forward/guard steps onto the floor you immediately notice how well she is put together with a big frame, a solid build and plenty of length. She just looks like a basketball player. When the game begins you see her speed, her athleticism, her motor. Most of all you see her potential. At least we did. Turner-Stensrud is already solid and improving fast. She has a good head for the game and is quickly adapting to the faster pace required when you suit up for a circuit team that faces high-quality opponents on a regular basis. She can knock down shots, gets to the basket, and finishes and rebounds very well. There's no question Ziyarah can get up and down the floor. We're told she often wins the sprints in practice on a team that includes speedsters like [player_tooltip player_id='346180' first='Brandi' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396426' first='Vanessa' last='Jordan']! On defense Zirayah is able to handle all five positions. Turner-Stensrud averaged 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds at Cooper this season but as one of just four returners next season her role is bound to grow.   [player_tooltip player_id='653856' first='Ciara' last='Seifert'] & [player_tooltip player_id='653857' first='Miranda' last='Palmby'] – 2025 forwards, Southern Minnesota Fury   Seifert and Palmby are new to Ryan Queensland's Fury squad based in the Rochester area but their impact on the team is been immediate. Seifert, who stands about 6 feet, hails from Rochester John Marshall. The 6'1 Palmby is from Dover-Eyota. Both players have kind of flown under the radar until now but their potential is significant. Both are unselfish, highly coachable, team-oriented kids with a great work ethic. Cierra is an intelligent player with a high basketball IQ. She has a nice midrange game and can rebound the basketball. Her footwork is improving but she does need to get stronger. Miranda is very athletic and already strong. She put up points and hauled down rebounds in large quantities for the Eagles this year, and has continued down that path so far with the Fury. Palmby can also shoot the basketball and finishes well in heavy traffic. Neither of these prospects is a finished product just yet but both offer really good possibilities.   [player_tooltip player_id='653853' first='Peyton' last='Hoffman'] – 2028 forward, Inspired Athletics   There were a ton of great 7th graders taking part at the Prelims but no newcomer made more of an impression on the big stage than the 6-footer from Climax-Fisher. This kid is good, getting better and destined for great. Consider the numbers she put up this winter in Class A ball: 624 points, 294 rebounds, 109 steals and 24 blocks. As a 7th grader! It's not hard to see why. The challenge after playing a dominant role for her team is adapting to the high-octane lineup Monty Gordon has put together at Inspired Athletics where the options are many and sharing the ball is crucial. With elite point guard Lakyn Donnelly running the show, the team has as good a one-two combo as you'll find in the age group. Hoffman showed us this weekend that she pounds the boards like a power forward, handles the ball like a guard, shoots it very well, and can physically dominate most everyone in her age group. And she can defend. Peyton has passion for the game, is eager to learn and is improving fast. With a mom who played college basketball and a dad who played college football, Hoffman has the DNA and support system to make it to that level herself.   [player_tooltip player_id='653851' first='Ella' last='Knutson'] – 2026 guard, Inspired Athletics   Ella is the definition of a sleeper. She's from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, a small private school in Fergus Falls that carries a pretty low profile. Before now, Knutson had not played any high-level AAU ball. This weekend with Inspired Athletics, however, Ella showed that she is a quality athlete with a burgeoning set of skills, a terrific work ethic, and a hunger to learn. The 5'8 guard is a high-energy competitor willing to play whatever role Gordon puts her in. Her positive attitude is infectious. Her work ethic is impeccable. She plays the ‘right way.' And she has barely scratched the surface of what is possible. Knutson was a leader for Hillcrest as an 8th grader, averaging a double-double at 14.5 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting over 50% from the field. Knutson is strong and physical and more than willing to do battle anywhere on the floor. She plays all five positions in high school but long-term is likely to be a 2 or 3. She shoots it well and her consistency is improving. As her game evolves, Ella will likely emerge as a versatile, reliable, all-around performer and a coach's dream. We will be watching.

Our focus at the State Prelims was on the top teams, the stronger units at the event that we consider to be contenders for a title. That doesn't mean we strayed too far from our ongoing mission at Prep Girls Hoops to discover emerging talent from across Minnesota. Here are a few players who made a great impression.