5 freshmen who could be a big factor in the postseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top prospects from the Class of 2027 have already had a major impact on Minnesota high school basketball this winter, a trend that is likely to continue into the postseason. Which freshmen are most likely to be a big factor in March? Obviously 4th-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='529357' first='Emma' last='Millerbernd'] of Providence Academy will be in the mix. She is a state-tournament veteran who has already proven herself on the big stage over the past two seaons. Ditto for top 25 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='567389' first='Sydney' last='Friedly'] of Benilde-St. Margaret's, whose defensive presence was vital for the Red Knights last year on their run to the Class 3A state championship. Who will do likewise this spring? Here are 5 freshmen who could be a big factor in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] <strong>– forward, Hopkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having gone to the state tournament every season for the past nine years in a row, the Hopkins Royals are&nbsp; accustomed to winning. That streak has continued in the 2023-24 season, as they hold an overall record of 20 wins and 2 losses heading into Tuesday's game against St. Paul Como Park. Starting at center for the Royals this season is 9th grader [player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker']. Now in her third varsity season, Erma has become a consistent force in the paint. Using her abundant size and strength, she has held her own against some of the best forwards in the Midwest. Case in point, Walker put up a season-high 18 points against <strong>Leelee Bell</strong>, a 6'3 high-major prospect out of Minot, ND at the Granite City Classic in December. Every time we've watched, Walker seems to be better than the game before. As a top 5 prospect in the 2027 class, Erma will be an integral piece of Hopkins' roster as they make a playoff push in hopes of garnering their 8th state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='644100' first='Annika' last='Kieser'] <strong>– guard, Wayzata</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like her fellow freshman [player_tooltip player_id='659119' first='Maren' last='Day'], who is now in the starting lineup at Wayzata, [player_tooltip player_id='644100' first='Annika' last='Kieser'] has impressed all season long. Despite it being her first varsity campaign, Annika has provided reliable, high-effort minutes. We've been impressed with her ability to play with heart and poise in the menacing Lake Conference where there are a bevy of state title contenders. Kieser is averaging 5.2 points per game. Heading into the season there was some question about her ability to shoot threes against elite defenders, but Annika dispelled that myth quickly and is a consistent threat from beyond the arc. Despite being one of the strongest teams in the state, the Trojans have not made a state tournament appearance since 2010, primarily because they have to get through Hopkins, a matchup that usually occurs in the section 6AAAA final. With just two games left in the regular season, Kieser and the Trojans will face off against Hopkins on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='529334' first='Isa' last='Griefenhagen'] <strong>– guard, Minnehaha Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a 78-75 win over Crosby-Ironton on Saturday, Minnehaha Academy is looking strong as they head into the playoffs. With a record of 20-3, the Redhawks are heavy favorites to win section 4AA, which would earn Minnehaha their ninth state trip in the last 11 seasons. A key youngster in the lineup for the Redhawks is 9th grader [player_tooltip player_id='529334' first='Isa' last='Griefenhagen']. The 5'10 combo guard does a little bit of everything on the stat sheet; she is averaging 3.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 steals. Isa is a passionate player with high energy who brings her A game on both ends of the floor. Her strength and athleticism give Isa a matchup advantage over many guards, especially the ones similar in age and experience. Currently ranked as a top 30 prospect, Griefenhagen has a ton of college potential and, despite her youth, is likely to be a crucial component for Minnehaha in their playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='659121' first='Anna' last='Neyens'] <strong>– guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by University of North Carolina commit, [player_tooltip player_id='178277' first='Jordan' last='Zubich'], Mountain Iron-Buhl is heading into the playoffs as the heavy favorite to win the class A title for the second year in a row. Only time will tell who will go home with the trophy but, having won their section nine times in the last decade, the Rangers are highly likely to get to the tournament. While Zubich leads the team at 28 ppg, MIB will also have to rely on senior guard and Jamestown University commit, [player_tooltip player_id='461340' first='Hali' last='Savela'], who averages just shy of 14 points, and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='659121' first='Anna' last='Neyens'] who is putting up almost 10 ppg. Neyens, a 5'7 combo guard and top 50 prospect in the 2027 class, is a spark for the Rangers. She attacks the basket with tenacity and can score there at a high clip as her season-high 22 last month at Deer River will attest. Neyens has evolved from a support player to a key piece for the Rangers. Next year she will likely be the star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'] <strong>– guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Knights of Benilde-St. Margaret's are going into the postseason looking like a different team from the first half of the year. With McDonald's All-American [player_tooltip player_id='177728' first='Olivia' last='Olson'] suffering a broken hand in the opening game, Benilde started their season with a record of 3-5. Since Olson's return, BSM is 13-0 heading into Tuesday's game with St. Louis Park. As the Red Knights look to repeat last year's state championship season, they will have to rely not only on Olson, but on several younger players, as well. Among those is freshman [player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'], who has been a reliable piece of the starting lineup all season long. The 6-foot combo guard, ranked as the #2 prospect in the Class of 2027, is currently averaging 9.6 points per game, with a season high of 15, but she does so much more than just score the basketball. The Red Knights are the favorite to win their section, but they may have to get through the Delano Tigers first, who hold a record of 21-1. Watkins will be a crucial piece of that quest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to these player evaluations.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->