The best of opening day at Breakdown Fall League

The leaves are starting to fall, the weather has turned a tad cooler and we are now in the swing of the school year. That means it's time for fall basketball. On Sunday, the Breakdown Premier Fall League opened at Minnetonka. It's a two-week session with a relatively small field that leads us into the full-field fall competition in a couple of weeks. We watched a variety of teams compete, including St. Michael-Albertville, Maple Grove, White Bear Lake, Woodbury, Delano and more. The story of the day, however, was the play of the ultimate underdogs from Coon Rapids.   That might come as a surprise if you haven't been paying close attention to what's happened since Chris Buerman took over the coaching duties in Coon Rapids and proceeded to resuscitate a program that has been on life support for a very long time. Consider some data if you will. Last year the Cardinals won just one game, a narrow victory over Minneapolis Washburn during the Christmas break, to compile a record of 1-26. It was their first triumph in nearly two years after going winless during the 2021-22 season. In fact, Coon Rapids has won just nine games in the past five years for a record of 9-111. Let's just say nobody is expecting much from the Cardinals.   After observing the program's roster revamp over the off season, watching them play in the Breakdown Shot Clock Classic this summer, and seeing the team again on Sunday, we're here to tell you that this squad will be dangerous in the winter of 2023-24. They are playing with passion, working well together and the group has clearly bought into Buerman's high-tempo, take-no-prisoners approach to the game of basketball that served him well for many years at Maranatha Christian.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-thumbnail"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/Helen-Ben.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-407893" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='302295' first='Helen' last='Ben']</figcaption></figure>   The roster enhancements are significant, including the arrival of Top 35 senior [player_tooltip player_id='302295' first='Helen' last='Ben'] who transferred from Park Center. Ben is an elite athlete with a big body, terrific mobility, a ton of strength and the ability to score inside at high volume. New guard [player_tooltip player_id='717689' first='Kalli' last='McGrane'] is a rising prospect in the Class of 2026 who had a great season last year at North St. Paul. And 6-foot senior [player_tooltip player_id='851028' first='Jaida' last='Gaskins'] played on the JV squad last year after transferring from Champlin Park and is now eligible for varsity competition. That's three new starters, all with varsity experience, all talented and athletic.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-thumbnail"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/Kaylee-Buerman.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-576925" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='461384' first='Kaylee' last='Buerman']</figcaption></figure>   The team will be led by senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='461384' first='Kaylee' last='Buerman'], whose game has blossomed the past 12 months. She is a quality floor leader who can shoot the heck out of the basketball. Given that teams will no longer be able to focus primarily on stopping her, it will be interesting to see how much more Kaylee can do. Also returning is 5'11 forward [player_tooltip player_id='302308' first='Casey' last='Beck'], a versatile contributor with size and skill who is Top 75 in the Class of 2024, and crafty combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='772238' first='Kaylin' last='Green']. The dynamic 10th grader had an outstanding day on Sunday, and we'll look at her game more closely in a subsequent story.   Usually when there is an influx of players into a team, it is assumed that it may take some time for the roster to gel as athletes figure out who fits where and how they are going to play together. In this case, however, Buerman, Beck, Ben, Gaskins and McGrane were all AAU teammates with MN P.R.E.P. this summer. They have already figured out how to be successful as a unit.   One more thing to consider: Due to enrollment numbers, Coon Rapids has been moved down to Class 3A this season and placed in Section 5, which has no clear favorites at this time. It includes perennial power Becker, but the Bulldogs are in a rebuilding phase and will not be as dominant as we have grown accustomed to. Other Section 5 contenders include Monticello, Totino-Grace and Fridley. We're not saying the Cardinals are capable of winning out but we're not saying they're not. One thing is for sure, Coon Rapids is going to be fun to watch.   IT'S SISTER ACT 2 AT PROVIDENCE ACADEMY   As if one Greenway wasn't enough to handle when playing against Providence Academy, now there are two. That's right, the long-awaited arrival of 2029 guard [player_tooltip player_id='872714' first='Beckett' last='Greenway'] to high school basketball has come as the crafty little guard joined her highly-decorated sister [player_tooltip player_id='252381' first='Maddyn' last='Greenway'] in action on Sunday. Maddyn, of course, is one of the very best 2026 prospects in the country, a veritable force of nature who has been giving opponents fits for three full varsity seasons now. All she's done is lead her squad to back-to-back Class 2A state championships while rewriting the record books.   Now the 7th grader Beckett is here and it was a ton of fun to watch the two of them on the floor to together against STMA and East Ridge. There are a lot of similarities between the Greenways but Beckett is her own player. She definitely has the same competitive fire as Maddyn. She fights hard to win every drill in practice, get every loose ball in games, and come out on the right end of every one-on-one battle. She also has tremendous handles, shoots the ball at an extremely high level, and has the quick feet and fast hands that enable her to be successful against bigger, stronger players. Beckett is extremely creative around the rim and has nice footwork, too. She is different in that she doesn't play the same physical style that Maddyn plays, but then who does?!   One thing is for certain: Providence is going to need the latest Greenway to contribute if the Lions are going to have the same kind of success they had the past two seasons. Graduated is post Grace Counts. The UM-Duluth forward's leadership abilities and physical presence will be missed. But sister [player_tooltip player_id='296515' first='Hope' last='Counts'] returns along with senior shooter [player_tooltip player_id='392477' first='Brooke' last='Hohenecker'], PGH Defensive Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='529357' first='Emma' last='Millerbernd'], elite 2028 grade talent [player_tooltip player_id='565312' first='Ari' last='Peterson'], and 2027 forward Lexi Nicolai, who rebounded very well on Sunday and looked right at home. It's tough being the little sister to a big-time player like [player_tooltip player_id='252381' first='Maddyn' last='Greenway'] but we have no doubts that Beckett will earn plenty of spotlight time on her own.   SUNDAY STANDOUTS   Perhaps the most impressive team performance of the day was turned in by White Bear Lake against St. Michael-Albertville. STMA was without Seton Hall commit [player_tooltip player_id='339129' first='Ja'Kahla' last='Craft'] and veteran guard [player_tooltip player_id='304922' first='Ava' last='Haus'] but still boasted a strong lineup with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='330743' first='Abby' last='Hoselton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='344333' first='Cail' last='Jahnke']. The Bears played with pace and passion and moved the ball very well. We're definitely intrigued by 8th grader Sarah Poepard and will evaluate her game in a subsequent article. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='453750' first='Addison' last='Post'] delivered her usual strong performance at the point. But the big train pulling the Bears on this day was senior [player_tooltip player_id='339107' first='Jordyn' last='Schmittdiel'], who leads our standout performers list.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-thumbnail"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/177-Jordyn-Schmittdiel-scaled.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-522287" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='339107' first='Jordyn' last='Schmittdiel'] – It has been fun to watch Jordyn's evolution from raw, untamed athlete to legitimate scholarship-level prospect. The recent commit to Division 2 Northern Michigan is relentless. She's big and strong and skilled, with a giant first step, elite elevation and a big motor. Jordyn's decision making has improved and the resulting impact she makes on the game is impressive.   [player_tooltip player_id='339217' first='Savannah' last='Hedin'] – The senior guard from Stewartville was everywhere on Sunday just like she usually is. Savannah competes with so much energy and passion. She is very fast, really quick and plays the game completely devoid of fear. Like Schmittdiel, Hedin has evolved from talented but raw athlete into a consistently impactful performer. Shortly after play ended on Sunday, Savannah announced her commitment to Jamestown University.   [player_tooltip player_id='330743' first='Abby' last='Hoselton'] – The big forward from St. Michael-Albertville was a force at both ends of the floor as per usual. Ranked #8 in the Class of 2025, Abby showed why on Sunday. She makes good reads and smart plays and uses her size and strength to overpower most defenders. Abby's skill development over the past couple of years is impressive, and when she gets up a head of steam in transition there is no stopping the inevitable two points.   [player_tooltip player_id='339094' first='Kendra' last='Overskei'] – This is likely to be a big year for the junior guard from Maple Grove. Standing 6 feet tall with a ton of length, the forward is a Top 50 prospect in Minnesota's Class of 2025. Kendra has put in the work to improve her skills, hone her basketball IQ, and gain confidence in her capabilities. She runs the floor, attacks the basket and hustles consistently. It may be her defensive commitment that seals the deal on a college scholarship.   [player_tooltip player_id='458305' first='Audrey' last='Shindelar'] – How many 6-foot sophomore point guards are out there with a Division 1 skillset, a ton of length and the poise and presence to run the show like a seasoned veteran? Not many! That's Shindelar, a Top 10 prospect in the Class of 2026 from Stewartville who put her deep bag of tricks on full display Sunday. She made great decisions, distributed well, shot the ball at a high level and made a ton of plays. With Haylie Strum now off to college, this is Shindelar's show and she looks ready to lead.   PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to this article.

The leaves are starting to fall, the weather has turned a tad cooler and we are now in the swing of the school year. That means it's time for fall basketball. On Sunday, the Breakdown Premier Fall League opened at Minnetonka. It's a two-week session with a relatively small field that leads us into the full-field fall competition in a couple of weeks. We watched a variety of teams compete, including St. Michael-Albertville, Maple Grove, White Bear Lake, Woodbury, Delano and more. The story of the day, however, was the play of the ultimate underdogs from Coon Rapids.