New Additions to the Class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 official rankings are out, and we've added some talented names to the list. Here are some new athletes that cracked our class of prospects and a quick profile of some of their skills. Many of these prospects are new to Prep Hoops and myself so I will be looking forward to learning more about this group over the next year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678385' first='Mateja' last='Cousins'] - SF Roosevelt - 5'5" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mateja is an intriguing prospect who jumped right into the Top 30 of this talented class. She is a great defender who puts intense pressure on the basketball, keeps her girls in front, and forces turnovers with ease. On offense she has a great attacking mindset and a variety of fundamental moves to beat her opponent off the dribble and get to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abbi Thorton - West Central - 5'8" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abbi is an athletic prospect who gets after it on both ends. She's an aggressive offensive player who can attack the basket and does a nice job of finishing when she gets there. On defense, she does a great job of putting pressure on the ball, positioning herself effectively in the gap and help side, and boxing out to get boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='658985' first='Natalie' last='Gass'] - Tea - 5'9" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='658986' first='Anna' last='Binde'] - Tea - 5'7" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678384' first='Megan' last='Dylla']- DeSmet - 5'6" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Bushofsky - Flandreau - 5'6" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sydney Schaap - SF Christian - 5'5" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sydney is a talented guard for the Chargers with an all-around impressive game. She demonstrates great footwork on the perimeter and is effective off the drive at getting her own points and creating for others. Great vision makes her an effective passer and she spaces the floor well on offense to get an open shot. On defense, she does a nice job keeping the ball in front and uses her quickness to effectively shut down opposing guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678387' first='Kayla' last='Newberg'] - SF Jefferson - 5'2" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678388' first='Gabriella' last='Hanson'] - Brandon Valley - 5'10" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678425' first='Jessa' last='Griswold'] - Rapid City Stevens - 5'6" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678426' first='Halle' last='Peterson'] - Rapid City Stevens - 5'8" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678427' first='Nyannah' last='Jones'] - Aberdeen Roncalli - 5'7" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meridith Larson - Baltic - 5'5" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meridith will play a pivotal role for the Bulldogs next season and looks primed to take on a big share of minutes. She is a talented spot-up shooter who spaces the floor well and moves without the basketball to find opportunities to knock down open threes. Defensively she has a nice combination of speed and IQ making her an asset on that end as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678429' first='Caitlyn' last='Pickett'] - Baltic - 5'6" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kassidie Stykel - Dell Rapids - 5'5" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678431' first='Kate' last='Bouman'] - Baltic - 5'6" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678433' first='Mya' last='DeStiggter'] - Dell Rapids - 5'8" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678434' first='Kelia' last='Kremer'] - Dell Rapids - 5'4" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678435' first='Braxton' last='Nedved'] - Wagner - 5'6" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678437' first='Kylie' last='Zomer'] - West Central - 5'6" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678438' first='Alexis' last='Pitts'] - Harrisburg - 5'7" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678439' first='Angella' last='Star'] - SF O'Gorman - 5'5" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678440' first='Ella' last='Hoffman'] - Flandreau - 5'7" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ella is a long talented young prospect with speed and explosive athleticism. She looks ready to take on a bigger role and will play a bigger piece for the Fliers this season. On the defensive end, she does a nice job of anticipating passes and jumps the lanes well to cause turnovers. On the offensive end, she has great speed to allow herself to blow by her opponent to attack the basket and can knock down the three as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678441' first='Aly' last='Schepel'] - Flandreau - 5'5" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678442' first='Kiana' last='Schmidt'] - Deubrook - 5'7" F</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='678443' first='Loralye' last='Walz'] - Sioux Valley - 5'5" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Addison Derek - SF Roosevelt - 5'6" G</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->