Tony's Week 2 Takeaways | Prep Girls Hoops

Through the first two weeks of the high school season I've spent a ton of time in various gyms and watching games online looking for the next budding star, or just trying to show some appreciation for those doing the little things that go unnoticed to the naked eye. Below is a list of players from high Division 1 prospects to players just getting their feet wet in this game we love so much. I'll be delivering the goods every Tuesday during the high school season, so come along and enjoy the ride!   Week 2 notable performances:   [player_tooltip player_id='453753' first='Lauren' last='Hillesheim'] - 2025 guard - Hopkins   During the AAU season, Hillesheim is the number 1 option for her [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops'] Elite squad, but on this loaded Hopkins team her role changes quite drastically. She has remained patient and has been rewarded with a starting spot playing alongside one of top guards in the country in [player_tooltip player_id='178269' first='Liv' last='McGill'], benefitting from the attention McGill draws to the tune of being 2nd on the Royals in total points scored through 6 games. Hillesheim defends, rebounds and plays her role to perfection all while averaging 14 points through 3 games over the past week, with a season-high 21 points against Benilde-St. Margaret's.   [player_tooltip player_id='719637' first='Deborah' last='Ayeni'] - 2026 post - Anoka   The 6'1 Ayeni (pictured above) spent most of last summer recovering from a broken kneecap which slowed down her development, but if you didn't know any better, she appears to have not missed a beat. That's how hard she has worked to get back to where she was. Ayeni played about 17 minutes in the game last week against East Ridge and made an immediate impact. Crashing the boards for put-backs, setting solid screens and even stepping out and knocking down a mid-range jumper. Throw in 3 blocked shots and a motor that doesn't quit, and you have the makings of something special.   [player_tooltip player_id='350094' first='Mariah' last='Pates'] - 2024 post - Champlin Park   With her commitment to St. Francis (IL), Pates is now able to just relax and dominate in the paint on both ends without the added pressures that come along with the recruitment process. She was the best version of herself matching up against Rochester Century during the Breakdown Tip Off; rebounding, blocking shots and finishing in the paint with her patented half hook shot with both hands. Pates is a great communicator and teammate, always looking to lead and be accountable. Pates tallied a total of 15 points against Rochester Century, earning Breakdown Player of the Game honors.   [player_tooltip player_id='296514' first='Alaya' last='Carter'] - 2025 guard - Prior Lake   When Carter steps on the court, she makes an immediate impact with her on-ball, smothering defense. Her quick hands and feet create issues for opposing guards as they have to think more about ball security than running their team's offense. That is where Carter is making her mark so far this season for Prior Lake. Standing 5'8, the 21st-ranked prospect in the 2025 class has the tools to be an elite level point guard; tying it all together is the next step. Carter tallied a season-high of 11 points in a loss at the Tip Off to the STMA Knights led by [player_tooltip player_id='339129' first='Ja'Kahla' last='Craft'].   [player_tooltip player_id='296528' first='Sam' last='Wills'] - 2025 guard - Visitation   It's been a bit of a rocky start for Visitation and the 5th-ranked prospect in the 2025 class [player_tooltip player_id='296528' first='Sam' last='Wills'] as they are off to an 0-4 start in the early season. Wills is being tasked with more of the ball handling responsibilities thus far this season, which is great for her development. She's been one of the premier inside/out players in her class, but so far this season she's spent a great deal of her time on the perimeter on both sides of the ball. Being as talented as she is, Sam can't help but draw the bulk of the attention from the other team and we have no doubt that she'll adjust and find a way to break through. Wills notched her season high of 18 in a loss to AAU teammate [player_tooltip player_id='330744' first='Savannah' last='Borowicz'] and the Jordan Jaguars this past week at the Tip Off Classic. New coach, new system, new responsibilities, no problem.   [player_tooltip player_id='215980' first='Bella' last='Sutch'] - 2024 post - Spring Lake Park   The 65th-ranked prospect and Gustavus Adolphus commit has picked up right where she left off during this past AAU campaign. Using her brute strength to pin defenders on her back to get to her spot on the block to finish with her left hand is what we've come to know and love. Against Edina in the Tip Off Classic she continuously beat the defense down the court being the recipient of passes from teammates or simply to clean the glass for a put-back or two or three... you get the picture. She poured in 20 against Edina while teammate [player_tooltip player_id='392471' first='Brianna' last='Nusbaum'] led the Panthers with 22. Sutch is going to be a problem night in and night out for her opponents as she never takes a play off.

Through the first two weeks of the high school season I've spent a ton of time in various gyms and watching games online looking for the next budding star, or just trying to show some appreciation for those doing the little things that go unnoticed to the naked eye. Below is a list of players from high Division 1 prospects to players just getting their feet wet in this game we love so much. I'll be delivering the goods every Tuesday during the high school season, so come along and enjoy the ride!