Preview: Who are the biggest names in Class A?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The conclusion of the 2023-24 girls high school basketball state tournament marked the end of an era for the Class A game in Minnesota. Finishing with an epic contest between the two best players in single A – <strong>Jordan Zubich</strong> of Mountain Iron-Buhl and <strong>Elisabeth Gadient</strong> of Goodhue – seems fitting. They gave us so much entertainment over the years right down to the very end. Sadly, Zubich (North Carolina) and Gadient (MSU-Mankato) have moved on. This week marks the beginning of something new.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course they weren't the only Class A standouts to graduate in 2024. Top 25 prospect <strong>Kadence Hesse</strong> of Sleepy Eye had a career to remember, rewriting the Indians' record book and preparing herself for a post-high school life at Southwest Minnesota State. 35th-ranked <strong>Tressa Baumgard</strong> of Chisholm (now at MSU-Moorhead) will be missed along with the incomparable top 50 twins from Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart – <strong>Rachel Kottke</strong> and <strong>Kristi Kottke</strong>, now at St. Cloud State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So now what? Who are the stars of Class A to pay attention to entering the new campaign? Here's a brief overview on the biggest names to note in small-school basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS A COMMITS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far we haven't seen a Class A player sign with a Division 1 program this year. There have been five D2 commits:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='396435' first='Addison' last='Hoof'] – 2025 guard, Lester Prairie (MSU-Mankato)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='918767' first='Anna' last='Westby'] – 2025 forward, Rock Ridge (UM-Crookston)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='396431' first='Gabrielle' last='Fineday'] – 2025 guard, Cass Lake-Bena (Bemidji State)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='396437' first='Aubrey' last='Morrison'] – 2025 guard, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (MSU-Moorhead)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='773408' first='Lily' last='Hubin'] – 2026 guard, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart (Southwest Minnesota State)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10 BEST UNSIGNED PROSPECTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We believe there are at least three or four D1 prospects participating in Class A this year. Here are 10 prospects we think have a shot at earning a scholarship-level opportunity:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='515673' first='Brielle' last='Janssen'] – The 2026 forward from Clara City (MACCRAY) in Western Minnesota has shifted her emphasis from volleyball to basketball this year and the response from college coaches is palpable. She's a top 15 junior in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='498658' first='Morgan' last='Mathiowetz'] – The uber-talented 2027 guard from Sleepy Eye St. Mary's (top photo) is quick and fast, skilled and smart, and her competitive spirit is unquestioned. While sister <strong>Madison Mathiowetz</strong> is having a great career at South Dakota State, the two players are quite different. The end results should be similar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='653853' first='Peyton' last='Hoffman'] – The big 2028 power forward is from Climax-Fisher, up near Grand Forks. That might be off the beaten path a little when it comes to basketball recruiting, but there should be plenty of coaches in the gym in the not-so-distant future. Hoffman is a legit D1 prospect who dominates at the A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='918612' first='Lexi' last='Lawrence'] – The lengthy 2027 forward from Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks showed up in AAU basketball for the first time this summer and she left a positive impression instantly. With length, size and terrific basketball pedigree, Lexi has a chance to get to Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='565313' first='Elsa' last='Retzlaff'] – The gritty 2028 guard/forward from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls had a tremendous summer, showing off her grit, versatility and toughness, along with a healthy dose of skill. All that earned her the #17 ranking in the Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1005198' first='Kaitlyn' last='Rohloff'] – The crafty 2025 guard led Hancock to a state championship early in her high school career and Kaitlyn has continued to impressive over the years. The top 40 prospect is an intelligent point guard who distributes well and has nice feel for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='773399' first='Annika' last='Dunrud'] – This was a monster summer for the 2026 forward from New York Mills. From operating in near anonymity she moved to the center of discussion among small college coaches. With size, length, athleticism and the intelligence of a coach's kid, Dunrud is a player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='766677' first='Sienna' last='Duininck'] – The 2027 guard from Central Minnesota Christian does her work during the high school season in tiny Prinsburg, about 100 miles west of Minneapolis. During the summers, however, Sienna has forged a reputation as a talented point guard prospect with the skills to excel at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='659121' first='Anna' last='Neyens'] – With Zubich and <strong>Hali Savela</strong> (Jamestown) having departed Mountain Iron-Buhl for college basketball, the Rangers are now Anna's team. We think the versatile 2027 guard from Mountain Iron-Buhl is more than ready to lead the next generation at MIB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='502533' first='Jensyn' last='Storhoff'] – The high-energy 2026 guard from Lanesboro in Southastern Minnesota has made a name for herself on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit, impressing scouts, writers and college coaches every step of the way. Her enthusiasm and energy is worth the price of admission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10 MORE CLASS A KIDS TO SEE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='478375' first='Kadence' last='Pierce'] – 2026 guard, Ogilvie</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='478374' first='Betsy' last='Gillette'] – 2026 guard, Hayfield</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='862790' first='Natalie' last='Thomforde'] – 2026 guard, Goodhue</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='675882' first='Marissa' last='Tusler'] – 2026 guard, West Lutheran</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='593516' first='Kenna' last='Henning'] – 2026 guard, Heritage Christian</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='764222' first='Olivia' last='Bungum'] – 2027 guard, United South Central</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='675971' first='Trinity' last='Baker'] – 2027 guard, Underwood</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='498657' first='Aubrey' last='Steffl'] – 2027 guard, Cedar Mountain</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='897052' first='Tatum' last='Morrison'] – 2028 guard, Deer River</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='835982' first='Lilly' last='Henriksen'] – 2028 guard, BOLD</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->