Tony’s Takes: Who’s got next in 2024-25?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the celebrations continue and the tears of both joy and defeat from the high school State Tournament start to dry up, it's hard not to start to look ahead to next season and start to imagine what the basketball scene will look like with without mega stars [player_tooltip player_id='178269' first='Liv' last='McGill'], [player_tooltip player_id='177728' first='Olivia' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='339129' first='Ja'Kahla' last='Craft'] and a slew of others departing and starting their new journeys. We want to look take a moment and look ahead to those that'll step into the spotlight in hopes of leading their respective teams back to the big dance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='208184' first='Zahara' last='Bishop'] - 2025 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop grew up right before our eyes this season and capped it off with a great state tournament run to help lead BSM to back to back 3A championships. With [player_tooltip player_id='296523' first='Kendall' last='McGee'] still out and Olson down for a stint with a hand injury, Bishop assumed the leadership responsibilities and answered the call helping to keep the Red Knights afloat until they were semi-whole again. Coming into the state tournament herself with a tender ankle, Bishop shook that off to the tune of 15 ppg in the 3 tournament games and some absolute dimes in the championship game. It was also refreshing to see her take on the vocal leadership role as well reeling in some of the younger players when things were getting a little hectic in the championship game against DeLaSalle. Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 season, Bishop will step into some really big shoes with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='177728' first='Olivia' last='Olson'] heading to Ann Arbor and McGee still getting her bearings assuming her rehab goes well and she's back on the court. Bishop has put it all together and is poised to make a lot of noise this summer which will lead to even bigger and better things next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='296531' first='Tatum' last='Woodson'] - 2025 guard, Hopkins</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like the aforementioned Bishop, Woodson has her work cut out for her as well stepping out of the shadows and into the bright lights with Metro Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='178269' first='Liv' last='McGill'] departing to Florida. The void McGill will leave can't be filled with just one player, but Woodson will be looked upon to assume the bulk of the playmaking and leadership responsibilities going into the new season. Woodson has been preparing for this opportunity since last AAU season where she took over the point guard position for her [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars AAU'] team and will assume the same role for her new [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] squad. The experience she'll gain will help prepare her for the spotlight that only playing for Hopkins can garner. The emergence of class of 2025 teammates [player_tooltip player_id='453753' first='Lauren' last='Hillesheim'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215457' first='London' last='Harris'] will help make the transition for Woodson pretty seamless. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='208187' first='Annika' last='Southworth'] - 2025 guard, St. Peters</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints state tournament run ended on a high note, finishing off Rock Ridge to cap off an incredible season due large in part to the all-around excellence of senior of [player_tooltip player_id='178267' first='Rhyan' last='Holmgren']. With Holmgren taking her talents to MSU-Mankato, St. Peter will most certainly look to Southworth to take the reigns and continue to lead this young, talented team back to the promised land. Southworth brings veteran leadership, experience and a torch for a jump shot. Along with her sharp shooting younger sister [player_tooltip player_id='764209' first='Kylie' last='Southworth'] and 6'4' sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937528' first='Braelin' last='Weber'] </strong>coming back, Southworth, the 44th-rated prospect in the class of 2025 will look to lock in for an amazing senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='330743' first='Abby' last='Hoselton'] - 2025 forward, STMA</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will certainly be a big void left with the departure of Seton Hall commit [player_tooltip player_id='339129' first='Ja'Kahla' last='Craft'] and her 24 ppg and her affinity for coming up big when it counts, but when one door closes, another one opens. Hoselton is a big time talent who will have the opportunity to kick the door in and showcase her big play ability. Abby is a nice combination of a race car and a diesel truck rolled into one heck of a ball player. Paired with [player_tooltip player_id='344333' first='Cail' last='Jahnke'] will make them a very formidable one/two punch as they start life without Craft. With two deep state tournament runs under her belt, and another summer of high level AAU basketball, this can't help but prepare her to take the reigns handed down by Craft, and <strong>Tessa Johnson</strong> before her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='296530' first='Gracie' last='Winge'] - 2025 guard, Lakeville North</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't know if any other team this season is losing two players of the ilk of [player_tooltip player_id='335641' first='Trinity' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215957' first='Gabby' last='Betton'], so the Panthers will be looking for someone to step up and take the lead. The Panthers have a lot coming back with Winge, [player_tooltip player_id='346182' first='Elayna' last='Boe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396430' first='Aduke' last='Ojullu'], but Winge will be the engine that makes this car go. The confidence that Winge plays with will be key as the Panthers will be looking to make another run at the state tournament. Gracie, the 28th-rated prospect in the 2025 class is a strong, silky smooth ball handler and a fierce competitor. The Panthers will be losing a combined 20+ points, so they'll be plenty of opportunity for Winge to showcase her offensive bag and leadership abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->