Saturday standouts at the Summer Kickoff Classic

Eight o'clock comes early on a Saturday morning, especially when Friday's Minnesota Lynx game had not tipped off until after 8:30 p.m. Nevertheless, we were at Kennedy High School in Bloomington in time for the first tipoff of the day at the Summer Kickoff Classic hosted by the [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars']. More than 160 teams competed at the annual event. The one we had come to see bright and early was [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] Makepeace, one of the more intriguing 2028 squads we've watched throughout the spring.   Featuring two of the brightest young prospects among this year's incoming high school freshmen – [player_tooltip player_id='786314' first='Tate' last='Addler'] of Minnetonka and [player_tooltip player_id='815078' first='Zoey' last='Johnston'] of Orono – the girls in green seldom fail to entertain. Saturday was no exception, even though the game was never close. Johnston, Addler and company got running early, moved the ball exceptionally well, and overwhelmed their inexperienced opponents in short order. But the score isn't the point.   Up to now we have written plenty about the guards on the team, including skilled competitors like [player_tooltip player_id='893406' first='Ellie' last='Panner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='918674' first='Alexa' last='Hanson'], and the grit and determination of [player_tooltip player_id='918668' first='Kherington' last='Braun']. We've enjoyed watching [player_tooltip player_id='918673' first='Veda' last='Makepeace'] drop bombs from distance all spring. What we haven't talked about are the forwards: 5'10 [player_tooltip player_id='918676' first='Reagan' last='Rose'] of Lakeville North, 5'10 [player_tooltip player_id='918678' first='Riley' last='Christianson'] of Chaska, and 6'0 [player_tooltip player_id='918677' first='Josie' last='Van Vooren'] of Waconia.   With plenty of length and no shortage of size, all three are sitting on a world of potential. They may not be in the same stratosphere as the top bigs in the class – [player_tooltip player_id='644878' first='Sahara' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='644896' first='Logan' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='644897' first='Natalie' last='Heyer'], for example, but it won't be long before the Metro trio will be in the conversation of other forwards to watch.   All three are still growing into their bodies, finding their flow and developing skills. They'll need to become more aggressive and physical. Skill development will be paramount. But the upside is definitely there. Van Vooren may be the most polished offensively at this point. On Saturday morning she showed off improved footwork inside, scoring on a sweet spin move and finishing with soft touch off the glass. She averaged 6 points per game in the tournament.   The [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] went undefeated for the weekend. Hanson had 46 points in four games, 2nd-best in the division, while Johnston scored 42. Panner was in the division's top 10, as well, with 34.   STOCK-RISING SENIOR   [player_tooltip player_id='453731' first='Haven' last='Fisher'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2025 S40 (Prior Lake)   We've been watching Haven since she was a skinny middle-schooler just trying to figure things out. Today she has a big body, a ton of length and the kind of power and explosiveness that gets you noticed in a crowd. Haven had a great winter at Prior Lake and was among the team's top five scorers,but points are not the selling point for Haven's game. The big guard is one of the more versatile players in the class. She is highly effective at both ends of the court and plays with intensity throughout. Fisher has an attacker's mentality and uses her skill and physicality to get to the basket. Haven also has a strong mid-range game. All of that helped Haven move up 22 spots in the winter rankings update to #64. The 2025 rankings will be updated again this week. Stay tuned for more on Haven's progress.   The S40 Fury had a solid weekend, knocking off the 16U state champions Stars 3SSB Hill as well as Metro 17U 3SSB before falling in the championship game to Stars 17U 3SSB. Speaking of the Josh Hersch Stars (pictured above), they were led as usual by was 5th-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='296528' first='Sam' last='Wills'] of Visitation who fueled the team's attack along with Jordan point guard [player_tooltip player_id='330744' first='Savannah' last='Borowicz'], North Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='252380' first='Kendra' last='Harvey'] of Byron, and Duluth Marshall guard [player_tooltip player_id='296516' first='Regan' last='Juenemann']. Regan has been a nice addition to the team this year, having adapted well to playing within the Stars' team-oriented approach and showing a great deal more versatility than in the past. Juenemann is a top 20 prospect and is one of the most athletic players in the class. One player who deserves more attention is defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='396425' first='Anna' last='Trachsel'] of Prior Lake, who simply goes about her business of making life troublesome for opposing ball handlers.   GAME OF THE DAY   Stars 2028 OU vs Stars 2028 DeSart   The top incoming freshmen from the Stars went head-to-head for the first time this year as the OU squad, which finished 4th at the AAU State Tournament, did battle with Jim DeSart's group that took 7th place. It was a much-anticipated contest and the action on the floor did not disappoint. The OU squad has been hit hard by injuries of late. Becker standout [player_tooltip player_id='630285' first='Adele' last='Changamire'] is sidelined with torn ligaments in her ankle while [player_tooltip player_id='918680' first='Noraa' last='Ivey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='918682' first='Danasia' last='Anderson'] recently suffered season-ending knee injuries. There's still plenty of talent on the team and it showed on Saturday.   OU was led by 2028 Watch List guard [player_tooltip player_id='914941' first='Bri' last='Foster'] of Park Center, who knocked down shot after shot to squelch DeSart's momentum numerous times. She made three triples and scored 19 points in the win while averaging 14 ppg for the tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='644912' first='Amari' last='Johnson'], who also made our Watch List, had 14 points in the victory and 10 per game on the weekend. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1209360' first='Ava' last='Smith'] added another dozen as OU crafted a 54-51 victory.   The most impressive prospect for the DeSart team is [player_tooltip player_id='918684' first='Quinn' last='Kemper'] of Edina, who has made it obvious this spring that she is a player to be reckoned with in the freshman class. She has been a consistent scorer who uses her lengthy strides, explosive first step and superior elevation to get to the rim frequently. Quinn is utterly unafraid to go at defenders one-on-one and has the ball skills to do it. Her motor is outstanding, too, as is her willingness and ability to defend. With light feet, Kemper gets around the court with ease. She's a smooth shooter, too, and highly intelligent. With a year of varsity experience under her belt at Edina, Kemper is a strong candidate for this fall's Freshmen 50.   SMALL-TOWN STANDOUTS   We're accustomed to strong teams wearing the uniforms of [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']. What people may not realize, however, is there are satellite teams of the big club from different parts of the state, including NT West 17U. Led by Alexandria guard [player_tooltip player_id='453771' first='Macee' last='Linow'] – a Bemidji State commit – the team is populated primarily by Class A kids from places like Osakis, West Central Area and Wheaton-Herman-Norcross. They may not be household names but players such as [player_tooltip player_id='918687' first='Kenady' last='Cameron'] of Battle Lake and [player_tooltip player_id='689429' first='Haddy' last='Baune'] of Brandon-Evansville are quality prospects.   Cameron scored 15 points in the game we watched. The 5'10 junior-to-be has to do it all on her high school team. She's playing the post for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'], which is a new assignment. She is a hard worker, has a really nice shot, and can handle the ball as required. Defensively Cameron's vertical ability is a huge asset as is her physicality. Baune made All-Conference in the Little 8 and impressed last fall at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. The 5'10 guard is a strong defender. She can guard multiple positions, and is an excellent shot blocker and steal creator. At the other end of the court, Baune gets to the rim with power and is a very good shooter. [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] West offered another good reminder on Saturday that there are great prospects everywhere.   PLAYER ON THE RISE   [player_tooltip player_id='918321' first='Kacia' last='Caron'] – wing, [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite'] (Holy Angels)   We watched the 5'11 junior-to-be for the first time in a couple of months on Saturday and it's clear that Caron is making great strides in her development. The younger sister of Missouri Western forward Kassie Caron, Kacia is emerging from her big sister's shadow by expanding her game and developing her skillset. Diamond Elite coach Desmond Walker has been using Caron as his backup point guard, which is something new for her. Caron is quick, crafty and athletic, with fast feet and good hands. She's a quality 3-point shooter, too. We'd expect Kacia to play a much bigger role at Holy Angels next winter following the graduation of a half dozen seniors.   Probably the best prospect on the 2026 Diamond Elite roster is big guard [player_tooltip player_id='502600' first='Jayda' last='Wilson'] of Eastview, who continues to demonstrate a world of potential. After posting impressive numbers on the Puma Circuit earlier this AAU season, Wilson lit it up at the Summer Kickoff with 15 points per game. As her defensive efficiency improves, so will her status as a scholarship-level prospect. She's currently ranked 57th in the Class of 2026.

Eight o'clock comes early on a Saturday morning, especially when Friday's Minnesota Lynx game had not tipped off until after 8:30 p.m. Nevertheless, we were at Kennedy High School in Bloomington in time for the first tipoff of the day at the Summer Kickoff Classic hosted by the Minnesota Stars . More than 160 teams competed at the annual event. The one we had come to see bright and early was Metro Stars Makepeace, one of the more intriguing 2028 squads we've watched throughout the spring.