Venturing east for Breakdown Fall League Week #2

The Breakdown Fall League is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to viewing the big names and up-and-coming stars of Minnesota girls basketball. With more than 150 girls teams playing at numerous sites across the state, the most challenging aspect is trying to decide which location to go to. Although the Metro League is by far the biggest and best in terms of number of teams and overall quality of the programs participating, there is plenty to be seen elsewhere, too. For week #2, Ally McGinnis and I ventured to Park High School in Cottage Grove for the East Metro League where more than a dozen Minnesota schools and handful from just across the border in Wisconsin were doing good work. Here are five standouts who turned in top-notch performances on Sunday.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/Candace-Ndomb-crop-653x429-1694464481-crop-587x386-1698107165.jpg?w=586" alt="" class="wp-image-793071" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='764185' first='Candice' last='Ndomb'] – 2027 guard, Duluth East   We first saw the Michigan transplant earlier this fall at the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase at Hopkins where we were impressed with the athletic guard's ball handling, quick decision-making, and ability to take it to the hoop and score. On Sunday, the 9th grader backed up those first impressions and more. Right from the get-go she brought all the energy for Duluth East against an enticing Hill-Murray group. With several strong moves, including a pretty pump fake, driving left into the lane for a floater finish, the 5'8 guard made the matchup with the Pioneers exciting to watch, especially when you consider who was guarding her – 2027 #1 [player_tooltip player_id='377583' first='Mya' last='Wilson']. There's no doubt that Ndomb has skills and she's working with trainer Dyami Starks in Duluth to develop more. The PGH rankings will no doubt include Candice's name in the near future.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Mari-Lang_Hill-Murray-crop-3909x2567-1698107125.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-793065" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='764215' first='Mariko' last='Lang'] – 2027 guard, Hill-Murray   We weren't going to miss the opportunity to see the aforementioned [player_tooltip player_id='377583' first='Mya' last='Wilson'] for the first time with her new team at Hill-Murray. The transfer from Mahtomedi did not disappoint, dominating the proceedings from the first tip. Fresh from receiving another big-time scholarship offer (this time it was Iowa), Wilson unfortunately suffered an ankle injury during the game. It was later diagnosed as a high ankle sprain that will keep her out of action for the next few weeks. In her absence, Mari and company definitely stepped up. From chasing loose balls to catching steals and running in transition, the 5'8 combo guard was everywhere. Her long build and bouncy athleticism allows Lang to grab boards over bigger opponents with regularity. She can also shoot it from anywhere and is a solid decision-maker at both ends of the floor. It probably won't be long before Mari also works her way into the Class of 2027 rankings.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/44-Ashlynn-Spong-scaled-crop-2304x1513-1698107195.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-793072" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502594' first='Ashlynn' last='Spong'] – 2026 guard, Woodbury   We were impressed by a lot of what we saw from Woodbury as the Royals continue to rebuild under coach Bryan Doughty. We watched a great matchup between the Royals and St. Croix Lutheran that featured an impressive aerial show from St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='178263' first='Laura' last='Hauge'] of the Crusaders and Woodbury's Top 50 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='515689' first='Megan' last='Doughty']. We eventually lost count of how many triples they made but it was impressive. (Megan did earn the post-game glamour shot above for her efforts). Otherwise, the biggest highlight of the game was the play of Spong, a 5'8 guard who recently made her way into the PGH 2026 rankings at #118. Ashlynn has a long, athletic build, runs the floor very well, and is not afraid to play physical. We saw her make a number of great moves to the basket, showcasing her footwork skills on each and every one. She can also shoot it from outside. With a high IQ on both ends of the floor, the 10th grader appears ready to make a splash this year in Woodbury.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Kate-Lee_Centennial-crop-2944x1933-1698107071.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-793063" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='717665' first='Kate' last='Lee'] – 2026 guard, Centennial   Kate is one of those players who just keeps growing on us. We watched her the past two summers with [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2026 Premier where she was one of several key pieces who played consistently well for coach Sam Dengerud. Lee did enough to earn her way into the Class of 2026 rankings where she currently sits at #90. On Sunday at Cottage Grove, Kate looked even more dynamic. She was everywhere, playing at a high pace but always under control. Kate was attacking the basket without regard to contact, and used a quick first step to create valuable space between her and the defender. Kate is scrappy. She is a solid rebounder who fights for the ball. She demonstrates a high basketball IQ and makes good reads on both ends of the floor. Lee was a part-time varsity performer last winter, but with half a dozen graduations at Centennial it looks like this could be her breakout campaign.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Lucy-Walker_North-SP-crop-3226x2118-1698107017.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-793061" /></figure>   Lucy Walker – 2025 guard, North St. Paul   The last matchup of our day was North St. Paul vs a second Centennial team and right from the tip we could see that Walker is an Athlete with a capital A. She's tough, confident with the ball, and most notably really, really fast. The 5'4 point guard had no trouble blowing past defenders on her way to the rack time and time again. Even after going down with a rolled ankle mid-game, Lucy returned to the floor and continued to put on a show. With her team down by two points late in the second half, Walker drove tenaciously to the basket and earned herself a pair of free throws. She made both to tie the game with 1:20 left. Walker then assisted on another drive to force the game into sudden death OT. Lucy fought with grit until the very end, scoring 6 of her team's last 8 points including the game-winning basket. Lucy was a top five contributor last year for North St. Paul which won 19 games. With the graduation of Maggie Jones (NIACC) and Lakesha Thomas (Black Hawk CC), and the transfer of standout [player_tooltip player_id='717689' first='Kalli' last='McGrane'] to Coon Rapids, it's now up to Lucy and her senior teammate [player_tooltip player_id='605705' first='Ashlee' last='Horton'] to lead the way.   One more thing   We weren't in the gym to see it first hand but we would be remiss to omit the performance of Shakopee senior [player_tooltip player_id='215969' first='Nicole' last='Maenke'] on Sunday. The Southwest Minnesota State commit was on fire as she scored 50 of her team's 68 points on the day! Toss in double digit assists and it's not difficult to understand why Nicole is a great college prospect!   PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to this report.

The Breakdown Fall League is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to viewing the big names and up-and-coming stars of Minnesota girls basketball. With more than 150 girls teams playing at numerous sites across the state, the most challenging aspect is trying to decide which location to go to. Although the Metro League is by far the biggest and best in terms of number of teams and overall quality of the programs participating, there is plenty to be seen elsewhere, too. For week #2, Ally McGinnis and I ventured to Park High School in Cottage Grove for the East Metro League where more than a dozen Minnesota schools and handful from just across the border in Wisconsin were doing good work. Here are five standouts who turned in top-notch performances on Sunday.