2027 rankings update: Meet the newcomers, part 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 rankings have been updated recently and there are now 89 prospects on the Prep Girls Hoops list. Included in that total are 23 newcomers who were added a couple of weeks ago. So far we've published two articles that offer individual profiles of the new 2027 prospects. Click the headline links below to read these stories:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/2027-rankings-two-dozen-newcomers-make-the-list/">2027 rankings: Two dozen newcomers make the list</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/2027-rankings-update-meet-the-newcomers-part-2/">2027 rankings update: Meet the newcomers, part 2</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today in part 3 we offer you a look at six more newcomers, prospects we think have the potential to be excellent college basketball players. We'll follow up with a few more for your reading pleasure next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#77</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='932011' first='Jade' last='Nguyen'] <strong>– guard, Eden Prairie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every player runs their own race on the road to college basketball. Some burst onto the scene and draw notice immediately. Others emerge over time as their game grows and their exposure increases. Nguyen falls into the second category as the 5'9 guard with the big motor has evolved this summer into a consistently productive performer for [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite']. Jade uses her quickness and athleticism to get to the basket frequently where she can finish with either hand. She has a nice midrange game and can shoot the three, as well. The guard depth at Eden Prairie is real. As Jade's defensive abilities continue to improve, she will enhance her odds of moving up in the Eagles' pecking order. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#78</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='629645' first='Ellie' last='Pease'] <strong>– guard, Proctor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Proctor point guard earned a handful of minutes with the varsity squad in her freshman season with the Rails and hopes to step into a bigger role this winter. She has had a solid AAU season, playing up a grade for [program_tooltip program_id='713214' first='Minnesota' last='Starks'] Carpenter. A 5'9 guard with a lot of length and a strong build, Ellie is a versatile, fundamentally sound player who brings her A-game on both ends of the floor on a consistent basis. She is a reliable defender and can guard players much larger than herself. On offense Pease pushes the pace, is a strong passer, and likes to attack the rim. This is a player with a high upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#80</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='761285' first='Sami' last='Warwas'] <strong>– guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite their youth, the Rangers of Mountain Iron-Buhl have looked great in recent Breakdown &nbsp;summer events and the sophomore-to-be has been a big part of the reason why. Sami earned consistent rotation minutes with MIB last winter and, like Pease, has spent the spring playing up a year for [program_tooltip program_id='713214' first='Minnesota' last='Starks'] Carpenter. The 5'9 forward has a lot of length, which she uses well on the defensive end, and a strong, solid build. She has sound fundamentals and is an unselfish, team-first kind of player. Warwas has continued to grow her offensive game in AAU, something that will come in handy for the Rangers this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#81</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='932012' first='Jenna' last='Riley'] <strong>– forward, Sauk Centre</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We first saw the intriguing forward playing for Sauk Centre early last winter at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic. She impressed us with her versatility and strong decision making, as well as offensive abilities. Riley became a reliable regular for the Mainstreeters throughout the course of the season. Standing at 5'9, Jenna is a forward equipped with plenty of guard skills. She can handle the ball and extend her game out past the three-point line, where she consistently hits shots off of the catch-and-shoot – even with a defender's hand in her face. Look for Riley to step up into a bigger role with the varsity squad come winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#82</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='932014' first='Ma'lon' last='McCoy'] <strong>– wing, St. Agnes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore-to-be had an outstanding freshman season at St. Agnes. She was a consistent scorer and rebounder, averaging a near double-double at 11.2 points and 9 rebounds per game. Ma'lon has grown to 5'10 now and has a strong frame. McCoy offers a big physical presence, and isn't afraid to do the dirty work that enables her teammates to excel. She's really good at fighting for positioning on the glass and scores at multiple levels. She can knock down threes and uses great body control to cash in around the rim. Ma'lon has been consistently scoring in double figures this spring and summer for [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite'] West, experience that has set her up for a breakout season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#83</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='932015' first='Kennedy' last='Nicholson'] <strong>– guard, Hill-Murray</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a young varsity squad set for the upcoming high school season, Kennedy and her fellow sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='764215' first='Mariko' last='Lang'], [player_tooltip player_id='639702' first='Ellie' last='Drange'], and [player_tooltip player_id='377583' first='Mya' last='Wilson'], will all play major roles for Hill-Murray. Nicholson is a 5'11 wing with a substantial length. She was a varsity rotation player last winter and has grown her game with [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops'] East Gold this summer. She has tons of potential on both ends of the floor, but her offensive game has really come along in recent months. Nicholson has a smooth pull-up jumper, scoring a lot in the midrange and beyond the arc. Everyone's going to be talking about incoming 7th grade star [player_tooltip player_id='923286' first='Ashlee' last='Wilson'] at Hill-Murray, but folks shouldn't overlook what Nicholson brings to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to these evaluations.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->