Who raised their stock in AAU week #2?

For off-the-radar players like [player_tooltip player_id='889762' first='Savannah' last='Sullivan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='894002' first='Jayden' last='Sonnenberg'] – the two we profiled yesterday in our <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/04/hunting-and-finding-some-real-hidden-gems/">Hidden Gems</a> piece – the beginning of the AAU season offers an opportunity to enter the scouting and recruiting conversation for the first time. For those athletes who have already been scouted and written about, it's an opportunity to showcase improvement. I mean, everyone wants to raise their stock, don't they? Today we offer you a handful of prospects who did just that over the weekend at the Midwest Kickoff and Suns Spring Showcase.   [player_tooltip player_id='764292' first='Aaliyah' last='Williams'] & [player_tooltip player_id='734360' first='Gigi' last='Coleman'] – 2027s, [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] Szabla   When building an AAU roster, the most important spots to fill immediately are the starting guards. Watching coach Leah Szabla put her team through its paces at practice last week it was obvious that Williams and Coleman are going to be crucial to the team's success this spring and summer. Over the weekend, the pair got off to a good start.   “Gigi and Aaliyah are a great backcourt duo,” said Szabla, the reigning Prep Girls Hoops AAU Coach of the Year. “They both have high IQs, work their tails off, and have loads of potential. Both ladies are versatile and can create shots for themselves or their teammates. They are both dynamic scorers and have elite finishing packages.”   Listed at 5'4, Williams (photo left) is a dynamic guard with terrific ball skills, quick feet and a ton of confidence. She can get downhill in a hurry and isn't afraid to seize the moment when it's called for. She led Rochester Lourdes to the Class 2A state tournament as a freshman, averaging nearly 9 ppg. With infectious energy and a deep bag of tricks, she entered the PGH Class of 2027 rankings this spring at #61.   Coleman (photo right) is listed at 5'7. but appears to have grown taller and stronger over the past few months. She's coming off a quality season at Southwest Christian where she averaged 6.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 assists per game. She can put the ball on the floor and attack the rim effectively while frequently getting to the free throw line. On defense, her quick hands are a real asset as is her tenacity. Gigi is ranked #63 among Minnesota freshmen with plenty of opportunity to move up. “I love how competitive they are and how coachable,” said Szabla. “They can both be disruptive defensively and create chaos for the other team, as well.”   [player_tooltip player_id='657022' first='Ava' last='Brynteson'] – 2027, [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] Szabla   There were many players to take notice of on the 9th grade [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] squad, including Brynteson, who we last saw several months ago at the Fall Exclusive. In Saturday's competition, the Prior Lake guard gave an excellent performance against Crossfire South 2027 Mester. We were impressed by her determination and hustle, as well as her ability to contribute to the team's success in the little ways. Whether diving for a loose ball or making the extra pass for an open look, Brynteson was on her A game. She was incredibly disruptive on the defensive end; we counted at least five times she stole the ball from the other team, often leading to transition buckets for her team. Ava has already earned the #61 prospect ranking from Prep Girls Hoops.   [player_tooltip player_id='764215' first='Mariko' last='Lang'] – 2027, [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops'] 9 Gold   We last saw Mari in Breakdown Fall League competition with the Hill-Murray squad, where she gave a solid performance on both ends of the floor while dipping her toes into the depths of varsity high school basketball. Now with a full season of high-level experience under her belt, Mari looked downright dominant out on the floor on Saturday. Her willingness to be assertive and lead her team was something to behold. She out-hustled every single player on the floor and fought tooth and nail for every rebound and loose ball, which we love to see. Mari played with a ton of confidence and was the aggressor throughout. Lang has been knocking at the door of the 2027 rankings for several months now. She'll find her name on the list soon if she keeps playing the way she did over the weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='339170' first='Josie' last='Horner'] – 2025, [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Mueller   On Sunday morning, we headed over to Hopkins for the [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] Spring Showcase. It didn't take long for the Prior Lake junior guard to catch our eye during the Stars Mueller matchup against the loaded Suns 2025 S40 team led by [player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein']. Josie asserted herself on both ends of the floor. On defense, it was her ability to use her length on the perimeter that impressed us. She made hustle plays and tallied a couple of blocks, as well. On offense, we liked Horner's decision making with her shot selection, as well as the silky smooth release. She drove into the lane and showed off a soft-touch floater, too. Horner has earned her way into the Top 125 in the Class of 2025. On Saturday, she made the case that she deserves to move up.   [player_tooltip player_id='478375' first='Kadence' last='Pierce'] & [player_tooltip player_id='478373' first='Chloe' last='Carlson'] – 2026s, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] S40   At last year's Suns Showcase, Pierce earned the nod as Prep Girls Hoops Player of the Week. She was dominant. Fast forward 12 months and Kadence turned in another stellar performance to open the AAU campaign. Hailing from tiny Ogilvie, Pierce earned a spot in the Freshman 50 the first time we ranked the Class of 2026, and she's currently at #44. The 5'11 guard can score in multiple ways, attacking off the bounce with a quick first step, knocking down mid-range jump shots, and nailing it from deep. She led her division in scoring at over 14 points per game.   Carlson is new to the Suns top 2026 squad and she got off on precisely the right foot over the weekend playing for coach Abby Notch. Expectations are high this summer for Carlson, a product of Starks Academy in Duluth who plays the game with speed, skill and smarts. The top 25 prospect from Proctor earned All-State honorable mention status in Class 2A this winter. She is a combo guard with a motor that does not quit. and it looks like she has grown bigger and stronger over the past 12 months. Carlson plays with swagger and has the tools to back it up. She fights for every inch and loves the big moment. This Suns team has some nice pieces but, in reality, they'll go as far as Pierce and Carlson take them.   PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to this article.

For off-the-radar players like Savannah Sullivan Savannah Sullivan 5'9" | CG Rothsay | 2026 State MN and Jayden Sonnenberg Jayden Sonnenberg 5'11" | CG Frazee | 2026 State MN – the two we profiled yesterday in our Hidden Gems piece – the beginning of the AAU season offers an opportunity to enter the scouting and recruiting conversation for the first time. For those athletes who have already been scouted and written about, it's an opportunity to showcase improvement. I mean, everyone wants to raise their stock, don't they? Today we offer you a handful of prospects who did just that over the weekend at the Midwest Kickoff and Suns Spring Showcase.