8 newcomers join the Class of 2024 rankings

For seniors who are still trying to determine their plans for college basketball it's time to fish or cut bait. That last summer of AAU is huge, and it's not unusual to see a handful of players emerge from the shadows just in time for their final season in high school. We certainly witnessed that again this summer as eight veterans made enough of an impression to earn their way into the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 rankings for the first time.   At the same time, it becomes clear at this juncture that some athletes who have been included in previous rankings should no longer be on the list. That might be because they've committed to play a different sport in college. Maybe they've shifted their focus elsewhere, or decided to depart from basketball altogether. As a result we have removed eight players with this update.   The most prominent name among the departures is Mikayla Thomas of Spring Lake Park, a super-talented 6-footer who made her mark in AAU early on the Minnesota Fury's top 2024 squad. When we first ranked the 2024s, Thomas was in the Top 10 and was already drawing Division 1 interest. We love her game but Mikayla but according to her coaches she has elected to leave competitive basketball behind. We wish Mikayla nothing but the best in whatever path she chooses to pursue.   Here are the eight newcomers who have been added to the rankings, which now include 210 players from across Minnesota.     #124 Kate Toewe – The forward from Hibbing and Starks Elite may turn out to be a sleeper in the Class of 2024. She has definitely been noticed by a number of D3 schools who have been pursuing her services of late. That makes sense given how few polished 6'1 players there are in the talent pool. Kate knows how to leverage her length for maximum advantage. She moves well down low and tends to keep things simple. She has several post moves and finishes well at the rim. Toewe rebounds hard and is a quality shot blocker. After averaging nearly 7 points and 5 rebounds per game last season, look for the senior to bump thos numbers up this winter for the Bluejackets.   #127 Kayla Diedrich – The 6-foot athlete from Rush City has really grown her game over the past 12 months, evolving into a go-to scorer who can put up numbers (she averaged in the high teens per game as a junior) and impact the game in a variety of ways. This winter Rush City has formed a co-op with North Branch. That means Kayla will play with 2025 standout Ella Kuhlman (#35 in the class) in a potentially potent combination that is likely to bear fruit. Coming off a terrific summer with the Minnesota Heat, Kayla is a stretch-four who can get to the rim, make shots from mid-range, and cash in on threes with regularity.   #132 Emily Gates & #133 Natalie Gates – The twin guards from Lake City should have been included in the PGH rankings some time ago. For better or worse, kids sometimes get overlooked for any number of reasons. That's on us. This summer with Give ‘n Go we saw the pair impact game after game with their speed, quickness and defensive intensity. Apparently the college coaches did, too, because Emily and Natalie have been making the rounds of regional D3s and collecting offers along the way. Both are good athletes with solid builds. They play with a ton of energy and plenty of pace. They score on all three levels and aren't timid about powering through bigger players to get to the basket where they seem to finish consistently. The twins are both strong defenders who bring intensity and a physical presence to the task. Both players are very team-focused and always seem to dish the ball to a teammate before pursuing individual production. Given their abilities, we'd like to see them be a little more selfish at times. Regardless, Emily and Natalie will be a big asset for whichever school is lucky enough to land them.   #137 Emily Coonrod – Big, physical forwards aren't easy to find, especially players like Emily who seem to relish the role. The 5'10 senior from Randolph and Crossfire Davis has grown her skills substantially in recent months. She does a nice job of getting position down low and overpowering defenders. Emily has a nice little spin move she executes going right or left and finishes consistently in the process. She has also extended her range significantly and can step beyond the three-point line with success. She is also a disruptive defender who can block shots. Coonrod averaged 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots per game for the Rockets in 2022-23 and the potential is there for a whole lot more.   #200 Nora Lynch – The 5'9 guard from Rochester Century was a little bit under the radar with Give ‘n Go and missed time due to injury, as well, but she is a solid prospect with a lot of potential. Nora proved in AAU that she can put up numbers. She shoots it from the outside and is also able to get to the basket through contact. Her mid-range game is solid and Lynch is able to create her own shot. She is also an active defender who gets tips and steals. We'd like to see Nora get a little quicker and perhaps add more physicality to her game. Both those things would move her up in the pecking order.   #209 Maddy Onell – The 5'10 forward from Watertown-Mayer is a versatile player who can impact her team's offense both inside and out. She has a strong build that will enable her to play a physical game as necessary. She has a very nice catch-and-shoot motion with the ability to collect the pass and smoothly transition into the shot. Maddy can definitely shoot the three. Onell averaged 5 points per game through the majority of last season but finished with two strong performances against Litchfield (3 triples) and Annandale (4 triples). That's a good example of what's possible for Onell.   #210 Suraya Hodges – A little undersized as a power forward at just 5'8, the Cretin-Derham Hall senior is nevertheless incredibly effective. That's mostly due to her strong build and intense competitiveness. She is an effective defender who is quick enough to get a hand on the ball for a deflection and strong enough to outmuscle opponents for rebounds. Suraya can also score with big performances last year against opponents such as Roseville (17 points), Forest Lake (22) and Minnehaha Academy (18). Hodges moves well at pace and can get up and down the floor. She also shoots the three.

For seniors who are still trying to determine their plans for college basketball it's time to fish or cut bait. That last summer of AAU is huge, and it's not unusual to see a handful of players emerge from the shadows just in time for their final season in high school. We certainly witnessed that again this summer as eight veterans made enough of an impression to earn their way into the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 rankings for the first time.