Class of 2025 rankings update: Meet the newcomers

It's not often that we get to welcome a junior to the prospect rankings for the first time who lands in the Top 25 right out of the gate. That's exactly what happened this week as we updated the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2025 rankings and [player_tooltip player_id='296517' first='Katie' last='Kelzenberg'] of Wayzata joined the party at #24. Except Katie isn't exactly new. In fact, when the 2025 class was first rated back in the fall of 2021, Kelzenberg was actually in the Top 10. With a big body, great skills, nice athleticism and good touch around the basket, the now 6'2 power forward had everything we look for in an incoming freshman. And then she was gone.   Kelzenberg “retired” from basketball to focus on her equally promising volleyball career. Unexpectedly, Katie returned to the basketball court last summer at Wayzata's team workouts and reappeared in the varsity lineup soon after. We'll spare you the flowery descriptions and detailed analysis because the bottom line is simple: Kelzenberg can flat out play. If she decides basketball is going to be her path, there will be plenty of opportunities. If not, we're enjoying watching another high-end talent doing good work on a regular basis.   While Kelzenberg returns to the rankings with an asterisk of sorts, we've also added another 11 true newcomers to the Class of 2025 rankings. Here's a short rundown on each of the fresh faces.   #137 [player_tooltip player_id='836004' first='McKenna' last='Schaefer'] – While Kelzenberg's hiatus was long, McKenna's absence from basketball was even longer. Like Katie, McKenna was taken in by volleyball. Thanks to some persuasive conversations with [player_tooltip player_id='252381' first='Maddyn' last='Greenway'], however, Schaefer decided to return to the court this winter where she made an immediate impact as a solid bench option at Providence Academy. At 5'10, McKenna has plenty of length. She is a good athlete, has excellent instincts and real feel for the game, and she will do battle with opponents of all shapes, sizes and reputations. If Schaefer decides to pursue college basketball, there's no doubt that some doors will open.   #161 [player_tooltip player_id='854910' first='Emmanuella' last='Sennowo'] – The 5'11 forward from East Ridge has only recently come to our attention, but in rather limited viewing she has done plenty to impress. We're pretty high on Sennowo as is East Ridge coach Ashley Ellis-Milan. Emmanuella has a big body, is very strong for her age, and has ample athleticism to be successful at the next level. Emmanuella got a late start in basketball so it has taken awhile for her skills to catch up with her desire. Much of what Sennowo has cannot be taught, and that bodes well for her future.   #167 [player_tooltip player_id='829627' first='Elayna' last='Van Nett'] – The 5'9 guard from Two Rivers comes from a long line of basketball success. Her older sister Makayla came out of St. Paul Como Park into junior college and made it all the way to Division 1 ball in Louisiana. Sister Shania, currently at North Dakota State College of Science, is trending in the same direction. We're not certain if Elayna will follow that path, but the way she has played this winter might make it possible. Averaging 10 points and 4 rebounds per game, Van Nett is a fierce competitor who excels at both ends of the court, whether that's blocking shots, corralling rebounds, or knocking down shots from distance.   #178 [player_tooltip player_id='531697' first='Cecelia' last='Davis'] – Unfortunately we haven't seen the Como Park guard on the court since last fall when she suffered a torn ACL. What we have seen is a ton of encouraging support around Cece's rehabilitation process, an incredibly positive attitude towards facing the recovery challenge head on, and the kind of maturity and resilience that will serve her well in basketball and beyond. Last winter Cece was a key piece for the Cougars, and her game was growing fast. When she returns we'd expect more of the same. In the meantime we're pleased to add her to the Class of 2025 prospect rankings.   #179 [player_tooltip player_id='722627' first='Savannah' last='Belongia'] – The 5'7 guard from Champlin Park has shown consistent improvement over a long period of time. The work is now yielding fruit as Savannah is not only the vocal leader for the Rebels but is also her team's leading scorer. Belongia has developed into a well-rounded performer who can help her team in a variety of ways. She has a solid build and good mobility. She loves to play pressure defense and she's vocal. On offense she has a solid understanding of the game and grasps where to go and when to go there. When a good shooting opportunity presents itself, Belongia will take it and make it more often than not.   #180 [player_tooltip player_id='520274' first='Jacey' last='Nelson'] – The 5'9 guard has played a big part in the resurgence of the program at Rochester John Marshall. She may not be the big star for the Rockets but Nelson contributes in so many different ways every time she takes to the court. Yes, she can score the basketball, but you'll usually find good numbers next to Jacey's name across the entire score sheet. A strong defender, Nelson makes life difficult for all manner of opponents, and she rebounds hard at both ends of the floor. Jacey shows all of the signs that she will be successful at the next level.   #181 [player_tooltip player_id='854902' first='Ella' last='Stoskopf'] – The power forward from Kasson-Mantorville is a walking double-double. At 5'10, with a big frame and a ton of power, Stoskopf is a handful down low at both ends of the floor. Ella can do battle with opponents much bigger than herself and usually comes out on top. She's more fundamental than fancy, more strength than style, more subtle than spectacular. Mix all of it together and you have a traditional post player who gets the job done in the paint. We like Ella's drop step, her reliable hands, and her ability to contribute consistently on offense.  K-M has had some nice posts over the years and Ella is doing a great job of carrying on that tradition.   #182 [player_tooltip player_id='782556' first='Emerson' last='Ingvalson'] – The 5'6 guard hails from Spring Grove, which is hidden away in Southeastern Minnesota out of the high school limelight. Thanks to her summers in AAU with [program_tooltip program_id='712352' first='Air' last='Minnesota'], however, plenty of people know of Emerson's potential. There are two things we particularly like about her game: 1. Emerson can play fast while staying under control, and 2. she is almost always communicating effectively on the court. Those two assets will carry a player a long way in pursuit of a college opportunity. Ingvalson is smart, she's competitive, and she appears to have the kind of leadership skills and intangibles coaches want. She's also a top-three scorer on a team with 20 wins.   #183 [player_tooltip player_id='782550' first='Alexiah' last='LaRose'] – The 5'3 guard from Cass Lake-Bena tends to operate in the shadows of one of the state's higher-profile guards – junior [player_tooltip player_id='396431' first='Gabrielle' last='Fineday']. While Gabby is lighting up the scoreboard (she just passed 2,000 career points last week), LaRose is quietly going about her business of running the offense and setting the table for her teammate to shine. Over the past year or so, we have watched Alexiah's confidence rise, her decision-making improve, and her poise under pressure increase. She still shoots the ball well, plays with a ton of energy and pace and more often than not these are attributes that will carry small guards to the next level.   #184 [player_tooltip player_id='840299' first='Audrey' last='McNeil'] – Speaking of small guards, we love what we have seen from the 5'4 standout from Osseo. Audrey's attributes were on display at the MLK Day Classic at the College of St. Catherine last month. McNeil did a good job running the point for Osseo against the high-octane lineup of Minnehaha Academy. Despite being undersized, Audrey utilizes her speed, quickness and agility to her advantage. She showed off nice ball-handling skills under pressure and is able to distribute effectively. We love her high-intensity defensive efforts, as well, where she employs her fast hands and quick feet to make life difficult for opponents.   #185 [player_tooltip player_id='854912' first='Hadley' last='Sammons'] – The 5'6 guard from Windom is the final addition to the current Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2025 rankings. Although we don't get to see Windom much during the high school season, Hadley's numbers speak for themselves as does her All-Big South selection last year. This winter she became the 10th player in Windom history to reach 1,000 career points. We've seen Hadley do good work in the summer season where she has demonstrated an ability to push the pace, facilitate at a high level, locate open teammates, and generate offense in a variety of ways. Sammons is captain material, an on-court leader who communicates well and sets the example for the rest of her crew.

It's not often that we get to welcome a junior to the prospect rankings for the first time who lands in the Top 25 right out of the gate. That's exactly what happened this week as we updated the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2025 rankings and Katie Kelzenberg Katie Kelzenberg 6'2" | PF Wayzata | 2025 State MN of Wayzata joined the party at #24. Except Katie isn't exactly new. In fact, when the 2025 class was first rated back in the fall of 2021, Kelzenberg was actually in the Top 10. With a big body, great skills, nice athleticism and good touch around the basket, the now 6'2 power forward had everything we look for in an incoming freshman. And then she was gone.