Sister Act 2 took center stage at the Fall League finale

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday's final edition of the Breakdown Fall League circa 2024 might best be titled ‘Sister Act 2.' The only thing missing was the legendary Whoopi Goldberg as we ventured to St. Michael-Albertville and witnessed two of the more intriguing sister acts in Minnesota girls basketball. One pair are quickly building a reputation for themselves – [player_tooltip player_id='630285' first='Adele' last='Changamire'] and [player_tooltip player_id='884449' first='Andie' last='Changamire'] of Becker – and the other will probably do the same in due course. More about them in a minute.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fall League is great preparation for the season ahead but it isn't always an accurate representation of what is to come. With some high schools deep in the volleyball playoffs, the basketball lineups can be greatly diluted. What we saw Sunday from Becker, however, should serve as an accurate forecast of just how good the always-competitive Bulldogs can be this winter. Much of Becker's success will depend on the leadership and productivity of the Changamire sisters. Although Adele is only a freshman, and Andie is just an 8th grader, both are stars in the making who will be relied upon in a big way. They were terrific on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adele was our Prep Girls Hoops Newcomer of the Year last season. The uber-athletic, ultra-quick guard stands about 5'8 with a strong build. She was out of action due to injury this summer but looked on Sunday as though she has barely missed a step. Adele is still working on getting her timing and shooting consistency back but her ability to get to the rim is unquestioned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andie has sprouted up to about 5'10 now and is growing like the proverbial weed. She moves so well, with that ease and grace that only the very best are blessed to have. While Adele has earned the #8 ranking among 2028 prospects, Andie is likely to be in a similar situation next fall when we rank the 2029s for the first time. Both are already polished, mature competitors with D1 pedigree, and they won't be the only youngsters in the starting lineup at Becker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Dan Baird, who sports a 171-58 career record, will also have 9th graders [player_tooltip player_id='897887' first='Tess' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='992410' first='Josie' last='Reckelberg'] among his core along with senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041123' first='Lauren' last='Croal']</strong>, a consistant performer who does so many little things well. Brown is a 5'10 forward who uses her size and strength to tremendous advantage, and has a skillset that earned her a spot in our Freshmen 50 this fall. Reckelberg is just 5'4 but her speed, tenacity and three-point shooting make her a highly impactful competitor. Watch for sophomore guard <strong>Eildh Mrnak</strong> to make important contributions, too. The group looked connected, cohesive and prepared for a big year ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Becker's Fall League entry was coached on Sunday by Concordia-St. Paul seniors <strong>Julia Bengtson</strong> and <strong>Megan Gamble</strong>, two of the most decorated graduates of the program. After three seasons at D1 Eastern Illinois, Bengtson has returned home to play her final year at CSP where Gamble is a mainstay. Congrats are in order for Megan, by the way, because she was sporting a huge engagement ring acquired on the weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1055634,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/Swedberg-sisters_Delano-crop-3908x2566-1731013092.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1055634" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THESE SISTERS GOT NEXT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At one point on Sunday I glanced across the gym to a 9th grade contest that featured the Delano Tigers. What caught my eye on the adjacent court were two tiny guards who were about half as tall and twice as impactful as anyone else on the floor. I made a beeline next door to learn more and what I saw was truly impressive. The Swedberg sisters were here, there and everywhere. With tremendous speed, quickness, and athleticism, the two highly skilled water bugs were nothing short of dominant on both sides of the ball. It was a sight to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Imagine my surprise upon learning that the pair were elementary school ballers filling in on a day when Delano was multiple players short due to volleyball. 6th grader <strong>Brynn Swedberg</strong> and 5th grader <strong>Hallie</strong> <strong>Swedberg</strong> are a pair of gifted gym rats who play the game with passion, intensity and confidence. Given that Minnesota State High School League rules require players to be in at least the 7th grade to compete, we'll have to wait patiently to watch these kids play at the varsity level. The fact is, there are probably a hundred programs in the state where they'd be starters today if permitted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off an historic 27-2 campaign in which they went undefeated in conference play, the Tigers will have to account for the loss of graduates <strong>Norah Danielson</strong> (Wayne State), <strong>Taylor Tool</strong> (Northern State) and <strong>Sidney Schmit</strong> (UW-River Falls), but the cupboard is not exactly bare. Delano will be led by Top 20 junior [player_tooltip player_id='458302' first='Abbie' last='Pietila'], who has already committed to Michigan Tech. Such ranked prospects as [player_tooltip player_id='589282' first='Cassie' last='Wegman'], [player_tooltip player_id='866100' first='Addie' last='Iversen'], [player_tooltip player_id='764224' first='Rachel' last='Wassermann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='927238' first='Lexi' last='Champeau'] are other names you need to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STMA'S PIPELINE RUNS DEEP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the teams impacted by the volleyball playoffs is St. Michael-Albertville. The Knights varsity was without senior [player_tooltip player_id='330743' first='Abby' last='Hoselton'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='344333' first='Cail' last='Jahnke'] on Sunday, two of Minnesota's premier players. Hoselton has already committed to South Dakota State and Jahnke, ranked 3rd in the Class of 2026, is weighing numerous big-time college offers. Newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='764943' first='Mariah' last='Sexton'] was on hand. The 6'3 sophomore post is a transfer from Middleton, Wisconsin. Freshman standout [player_tooltip player_id='630242' first='Caelyn' last='Foster'], ranked 18th among 2028 prospects, was there as were senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='778895' first='Hailey' last='Walbon'] and <strong>Renae Foster</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our primary STMA interest on Sunday, however, was the junior varsity. We showed up early to watch the youngsters play and we are pleased to report that Knights coach Kent Hamre has plenty more talent in the pipeline. As you know, JV basketball is all over the map. In the Lake Conference, however, the players are a cut or two above the rest of the state. That's certainly what we saw from STMA, who moved the ball with precision, executing like it was mid-season, showing off a level of understanding and instruction that is well beyond the norm. Here are few names to remember:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Delany Johnston</strong> – Super athletic 2028</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kylee Brandli</strong> – Lengthy 2028 returning from an ACL injury</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Reese Cleveland </strong>– Crafty 2028 guard who was on STMA's state cross country team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Annabelle Vossen </strong>– 2029 who is also a cross country standout</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1250578' first='Brooke' last='Johnson']</strong> – 2029 left-hander with huge upside. Mom was a hall-of-famer at UM-Duluth&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256277' first='Tenlee' last='Egan']</strong> – 2030 transfer from Rogers who is quick, strong and intelligent&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1055636,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/623-Marissa-Tusler-crop-2703x1775-1731013153.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1055636" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TUSLER TURNS IT UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've watched West Lutheran guard [player_tooltip player_id='675882' first='Marissa' last='Tusler'] for nearly three years now and have been suitably impressed along the way. She plays with athleticism, energy and passion with a particular bent for elite-level defense. Tusler has been a mainstay on [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite who has earned a Top 100 ranking in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026. Sunday was the first time we've ever watched Marissa in a high school game, however. What we saw was a completely different thing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marisa was a total alpha dog. She was a loud leader, directing traffic on the floor, encouraging her teammates, and setting high standards for others to emulate. She was also much more aggressive offensively than we were used to seeing, and she has the high school numbers to attest. Tusler led the Warriors in scoring last season at 21 points per game along with 6.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists. She can put the ball on the floor to attack, she can step back and knock down mid-range jump shots, and she can bury the ball from deep. Most importantly, Marissa never stops working. This is a three-sport athlete who is also a member of the National Honor Society, a player who has earned her stripes in many different ways. However, after watching on Marissa on Sunday, our opinion of her ceiling has been transformed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->