Top Performers at the Summer Finale in Des Moines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AAU seasons wrapped up for nearly all of the top prospects in South Dakota and here are some quick profiles of some of the top performers at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='218149' first='Katie' last='Vasecka'] - Tea - 6'2" G/F - Commitment - South Dakota State University</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the top prospects in the nation, Katie demonstrated why she is the number 1 recruit in South Dakota. She dominates games with her athleticism and is nearly impossible to guard. She can knock down the three with ease as she gets her shot off over the defense and her ability to get to the rim is equally as impressive. An elite player in all facets of the game South Dakota basketball has been blessed to watch this young lady get after it.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='182129' first='Mahli' last='Abdouch'] - O'Gorman - 5/7" G - Commitment - South Dakota State University</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mahli was one of the most dominant guards at the event showing off her elite handles and putting pressure on opposing guards on the defensive end. She has great passing skills that combined with her excellent vision allow her to set up her teammates for shots. A solid three-point shooter and a toolkit of moves to create space allow her to put up big scoring numbers when her squad needs it. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='201446' first='Caylin' last='Kelly'] - Florence/Henry - 6'0" G/F - Commitment - Minnesota State University Moorhead</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Caylin is one of the most physically imposing players in the state and she put this on display at the finale as she won her matchup on the block, off the drive, and on the perimeter. She's a matchup nightmare with the ability to attack the basket and score off the post-up as well.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='242473' first='Mara' last='Grant'] - Tea - 5'10" F - Commitment - Dordt University</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mara is arguably the best rebounder in the state and showed this off in Des Moines all tournament long. She constantly works for position to get boards on both ends and uses her strength to overpower the opponent to the basketball. She knocked down a handful of mid-range shots and showed off her improved shooting range beyond the arc as well. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='201434' first='Jordyn' last='Williams'] - Garretson - 5'9" G - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jordyn has had a fantastic summer at the [program_tooltip program_id='787122' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] and has improved her game greatly. She has always had the ability to knock down shots but is putting a more concerted effort into aggressively attacking the basket and getting shots in the paint as well. A great defender with length and speed she does a great job containing talented perimeter players. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='537819' first='Elly' last='Doering'] - Alcester-Hudson - 5'11" F/C - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elly is a physical presence who can change games in the paint. She does a nice job of screening as well as sealing on post-ups to create shots for her teammates as well as herself. She is a talented rebounder who uses her high IQ and physical nature to outcompete her opponent on the boards. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='391251' first='Reagan' last='Rus'] - Mount Vernon/Plankinton - 5'9" G - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Reagan has a gift of athleticism that shows up in her ability on both ends of the floor. She can push the tempo in any game with impressive speed and solid ball-handling skills. She put herself in prime scoring positions all weekend long on the perimeter, in the mid-range, and in attacking gaps off the dribble. She does an excellent job finding soft spots in the defense to get paint touches in order to get quality shots in the paint and her game continues to evolve this summer!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='404951' first='Grace' last='Peterson'] - Sioux Falls Washington - 6'0" F/C - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Grace has vaulted up the rankings and continued to solidify herself as a top 5 and arguably top overall prospect in the Class of 2025. She demonstrated one of the most dynamic scoring games as she can score on all levels. She can knock down perimeter shots and has one of the most solid post-up games in the state. A high-level defender as well she is athletic enough to defend the perimeter and blocks shots in the paint. Stock is up in a big way on Grace!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='329052' first='Emma' last='Marshall'] - Centerville - 5'9" F - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Emma had a great tournament and showed off her pure athleticism game in and game out. She can jump out of the building and is one of the most naturally gifted athletes in her class. Her defense is impressive as she gets after her opponent, grabs multiple steals, and blocks a couple of shots per game. On offense, she is lethal in the mid-range and continues to improve her 3-point shooting ability. A talented rebounder she contributes in this area of the game on both ends as well. Emma does a lot of things that contribute to winning basketball!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='404945' first='Brooklyn' last='Koll'] - Sioux Falls Jefferson - 5'4" G - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Brooklyn had a great tournament and is a guard with rising stock to keep your eye on. She has point guard handles and vision setting her teammates up for high-quality shots. She can knock down the outside shot and is a shifty ball handler who can weave her way to the basket and score. A solid teammate she has a lot of intangibles and is a great leader and communicator. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='329047' first='Thea' last='Gust'] - Centerville - 5'9" G/F - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thea is an elite shooter who knocks down open shots as consistently as any player in her class. Her range is immense and she can stretch defenses a long way from the basket. A true zone buster she moves well no matter what defense she sees to create shot opportunities. On defense, she is a versatile asset who can guard multiple spots with a 5'9" frame and great speed.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addison Moore - Iroquois/Lake Preston - 5'6" G - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Addie is a talented guard with a really high ceiling. She is a talented outside shooter and has impressive speed which allows her to blow by her defender and get to the rim. She's an active defender who tips and steals passes and has the quickness to take the ball to the other end for easy transition baskets. Taking the big shot isn't a problem and she is the type of player that you want the ball in her hands in late-game situations.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='377192' first='Ashlyn' last='Koupal'] - Wagner - 6'2" F - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ashlyn is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Midwest and drew a ton of college coaches at all of her games last weekend. She is a DI prospect but plays with a very humble nature and demonstrates all the intangibles of a selfless leader. She can post up and dominate, rise up and hit shots in the mid-range, and knock down threes with her ability to elevate over any defender. The most impressive part of her game is that she focuses on bettering her teammates as well though and is a selfless player who facilitates shots for her squad off of kickouts and double-teams.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='421631' first='Sadie' last='Mehrman'] - Harrisburg - 5'9" G - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sadie is a high-level prospect that has cemented herself in the top 5 in the Class of 2026. She can score at all levels as she can knock down the 3, create shots in the mid-range, and attack and score at the basket. On defense, she creates turnovers with her anticipation and aggressive nature. She was one of the most well-rounded athletes in her division.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='525675' first='Sydney' last='Terveen'] - Sioux Falls O'Gorman - 5'10" F - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sydney is a really talented athlete and she put this on display in Des Moines all weekend. She has natural athleticism and is gifted with length that aids in her abilities on both ends. She operates smoothly in a dribble-drive offense as she can get to the basket with ease and finishes well at the basket. She is an elite defender who disrupts shots at the basket and uses her length to contain opponents on the perimeter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='375704' first='Addison' last='Neuendorf'] - Hamlin - 5'4" G - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Addie has true point guard skills with high-level ball-handling skills that allow her to beat pressure, facilitate an offense, and create shot opportunities for her team. She has a high basketball IQ and makes great decisions in both getting her own shot opportunities and making her teammates better as well. Pair in a consistent stroke from beyond the arc and you have a top PG prospect developing.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='497459' first='Mattie' last='Huwe'] - Tri-Valley - 5'6" G - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mattie is a threat from deep and benefits greatly from spotting up and hitting kick-out threes off the dribble-drive. She has solid ball-handling skills and runs the floor well in transition as well as helping get her team early offense. On defense, she moves well and does a nice job keeping her girl in front on the ball.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abby Hoerner - Sioux Falls Jefferson - 5'8" F - Commitment - None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Abby has a fantastic work ethic and does a ton of little things that make her team better. She demonstrated great shot selection all tournament long and even laid in a game-winner to put her team on top in a last-second shot opportunity. She is a fantastic rebounder and an intense defender and is a ton of fun to watch!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->