Top Performances at the Sanford Sports Who's Next Combine

The [program_tooltip program_id='787122' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy']'s Who's Next Combine was full of top prospects and there were a number of players who rose from the pack and had stellar performances! College coaches were in attendance to watch some of South Dakota's top prospects battle in the Sanford Pentagon and show off their skill sets. Here are the top standouts for me on the day.   Class of 2024   [player_tooltip player_id='218151' first='Hannah' last='Leverson'] - Sisseston - 5'5" G   [player_tooltip player_id='218151' first='Hannah' last='Leverson'] looked like the top point guard at the combine. She has excellent vision, quick hands defensively, and can knock down open shots at an elite level. A smooth, high-arcing 3-point shot off of a quick release allows her to hit deep balls at will and put up a ton of points. In the ball handling drills at the event, she showed off quick handles and the ability to apply moves in a game setting. Her vision was some of the most impressive of the event as she is able to see things other players just don't recognize, setting up great shots for her teammates.   [player_tooltip player_id='236331' first='Ryann' last='Barry'] - Pierre TF Riggs - 5'9" F   Ryan is physically impressive and has all of the tools necessary to play at the next level. She has an impressive combination of physical tools and basketball IQ. In the breakdown drills where coaches put athletes in positions to read their defenders to score she looked natural and found ways to put the ball in the hole. She was one of the top competitors in the 5 on 5 setting, showing an ability to get it done on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='390207' first='Avery' last='Orth'] - Wessington Springs - 6'2" C   Avery was one of the top post standouts on the day. Her 6'2" frame and physical nature were one of the most imposing skill sets in the combine. She can back down defenders with ease in the paint and put herself in effective places to score. She operates smoothly in the pick-and-roll and does a great job catching the basketball and finishing quickly inside. On defense, she altered shots, rebounded hard, and intimidated opposing guards from attacking the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='182473' first='Taylor' last='Watson'] - Florence-Henry - 5'9" G   Taylor was one of the top performers at the combine and her game has steadily gotten better approaching her senior season. She has a great ability to knock down open mid-range jump shots and can create off-the-dribble as well. If defenders try and pressure her she has a pure ability to drop her shoulder, blow by them, and get to the rim and finish. She's a great defender and was one of the most consistent at shutting down other top prospects at the event.   Class of 2025   [player_tooltip player_id='404945' first='Brooklyn' last='Koll'] - SF Roosevelt - 5'5" G   Brooklyn impressed me on both ends of the floor and I came away extremely impressed with this young prospect. She crashed the boards hard from the perimter and came up with more offensive rebounds than any other guard in the event. She has really solid handles and does a nice job controlling the defender and playing with great ball security. She is an aggressive player who will attack the basket and reads the defense well knowing when to get to the rim or kick out for shot opportunities for her teammates.   [player_tooltip player_id='342177' first='Isabella' last='Anderson'] - Milbank - 5'7" G   Isabella is an explosive scorer who can create off the dribble, knock down the open shot, and work without the basketball to create shots for herself. She has great length which she uses well to keep the ball away from the defense and finish from a variety of angles around the basket. On the defensive end, she gets it done as an effective perimeter defender who can pressure the ball and keep it in front of her body. In transition, she demonstrates great instincts and understands when to take it all the way or give it up for a teammate.   [player_tooltip player_id='304516' first='Madala' last='Hanson'] - Dell Rapids St. Mary's - 5'4" G   Madala likely scored the most points at the combine. She was lighting it up from beyond the arc all combine long and looked like the most dangerous scoring threat in the event. Point guard instincts and fundamentals round out an all-around stellar scoring game for this young lady. She was one of the most competitive players at the event and proved to the entire building her desire to be a great basketball player. She gets the nod for the best energy-giver of the combine!   [player_tooltip player_id='375940' first='Logan' last='Smidt'] - Brookings - 5'8" G/F   Logan showed once again why she is a top prospect in her class, showing off her physical nature, ability to beat defenders off the dribble, and ability to create shots with and without the basketball. Her ability to drive and get to the rim with ease helped her team in a variety of ways as she got layups as well as set up her teammates for easy shots when defenders had to help off her. A highly competitive player with a coachable attitude and a desire to compete, Logan is an exciting young prospect who will undoubtedly take her talents to the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='404951' first='Grace' last='Peterson'] - SF Washington - 6'0" F   Grace has been climbing the rankings board at one of the fastest rates in the state and continued so at the combine. She is one of the most physically impressive prospects in the state at 6'0" with strength and speed. She is a dynamic player who can score inside with her back to the basket as well as with ease in the mid-range. She was nearly automatic from 15 feet and in all combine long and put up a ton of points off the jump shot. Defensively she can guard a variety of positions and does a nice job anticipating passes for steals and blocking shots as well.   Class of 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='388883' first='Mak' last='Scott'] - Lyman - 6'1" F   [player_tooltip player_id='388883' first='Mak' last='Scott'] was the youngest standout in the bunch and had a great showing at the combine. She has a nice jump shot and does a great job moving without the basketball to get open shot opportunities. At 6'1" the most impressive moments for me came in the 5 on 5 as I watched her bring the ball up multiple times and lead the charge in transition for her squad. With a rare ability to move with the ball in her hands at 6'1" and a disruptive defender, Scott stood out as one of the highest potential prospects of the day.

The Sanford Sports Academy 's Who's Next Combine was full of top prospects and there were a number of players who rose from the pack and had stellar performances! College coaches were in attendance to watch some of South Dakota's top prospects battle in the Sanford Pentagon and show off their skill sets. Here are the top standouts for me on the day.