College update part 1: The D1 seniors and super seniors
The so-called super seniors in Minnesota's Class of 2020 – the players impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic – are now in their 5th and final season of collegiate basketball. It's the last go-round for the Class of 2021, as well, since they didn't benefit from the COVID bonus year. Back at the start of the college season, we offered up some thoughts and projections of who might make the most noise in their last season of eligibility in our article, One last lap for the classes of 2020 and 2021. Our question today is simple: How's that working out?
Just before the Christmas break that saw most college players enjoy at least a few days off, PGH scout Ally McGinnis hunted down this year's individual statistics for more than 125 Minnesotans currently competing in NCAA Division 1. Based on that research, and everything we've seen and read over the past few weeks, we decided to sort the top performers into mid-season all-star squads. In part 1, we bring you the top seniors, including a couple of 2018 and 2019 graduates whose careers were extended due to long-term injuries that caused them to miss a season or two.
This isn't a science, of course. And the statistics, which are for games played through Dec. 22, don't tell the full story. But as much as we'd like to, it's not possible to follow everyone closely. So forgive us if we've neglected your favorite player, or placed someone inappropriately. Feel free to let us know but be gentle. With all of that said, here are our selections for the Minnesota collegiate mid-season all-star teams.
1ST TEAM
- Paige Bueckers – UConn, Hopkins, 2020 (20.8 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.8 ast, 56.3% FG, 41.7% 3PT)
- Ayoka Lee – Kansas State, Byron, 2018 (18.0 pts, 6.4 reb, 0.3 ast, 66.7% FG)
- Alyssa Ustby – North Carolina, Rochester Lourdes, 2020 (10.8 pts, 8.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 46.2% FG)
- Gianna Kneepkens – Utah, Duluth Marshall, 2021 (18.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.6 ast, 49.2% FG, 42.5% 3PT)
- Lauren Jensen – Creighton, Lakeville North 2020 (17.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.1 ast, 46.0% FG, 39.7% 3PT)
2ND TEAM
- Adalia McKenzie – Illinois, Park Center, 2021 (13.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.8 asst, 50.4% FG)
- Paige Meyer – South Dakota State, Albany, 2021 (9.3 pts, 2.8 reb, 4.7 ast, 35.5% FG)
- Kierra Wheeler – Norfolk State, Robbinsdale Cooper, 2021 (14.9 pts, 8.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 45.3% FG)
- Jenna Johnson – Utah, Wayzata, 2021 (9.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.2 ast, 44.4% FG)
- Ivane Tensaie – UT-El Paso, Concordia Academy, 2021 (14.9 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 45.5% FG, 45.7% 3PT)
3RD TEAM
- Molly Mogensen – Creighton, Farmington, 2020 (8.0 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.9 ast, 46.8% FG, 41.9% 3PT)
- Jo Langbehn – St. Thomas, Elk River, 2021 (15.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 62.9% FG)
- Anna Miller – Drake, Rochester Mayo, 2021 (15.9 pts, 8.9 reb, 2.1 ast, 43.8% FG)
- Jade Hill – St. Thomas, Minneapolis South, 2021 (15.1 pts, 2.3 reb, 3.8 ast, 41.1% FG)
- Annika Stewart – Minnesota, Wayzata 2020 (11.7 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.8 ast, 60.0% FG, 46.5% 3PT)
4TH TEAM
- Anna Olson – Vermont, Monticello, 2020 (14.3 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.9 ast, 58.5% FG)
- Nora Francois – New Orleans, DeLaSalle, 2021 (12.6 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.0 ast, 41.4% FG)
- Abby Schulte – North Dakota State, Maple Grove, 2020 (6.9 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.3 ast, 31.0% FG)
- Sophie Hart – Minnesota, Farmington, 2021 (7.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.2 ast, 52.4% FG)
- Mallory Brake – Creighton, Hastings, 2020 (5.7 pts, 3.8 reb,1.7 ast, 55.6% FG, 50.0% 3PT)
HONORABLE MENTION
- Ivory Finley – Utah State, Rosemount, 2021 (6.3 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.2 ast, 31.3% FG)
- Jenna Guyer – Green Bay, Centennial, 2021 (7.0 pts, 2.9 reb. 0.9 ast, 49.3% FG)
- Liza Karlen – Notre Dame, Stillwater, 2020 (3.0 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.5 ast, 37.5% FG)
- Paige Kindseth – Presbyterian, Farmington, 2021 (8.6 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.3 ast, 37.7% FG)
- Jordyn Lamker – St. Thomas, Maple Grove, 2021 (4.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.4 ast, 60.0% FG)
- Nneka Obiazor – Grand Canyon, Eden Prairie, 2020 (9.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 0.8 ast, 48.5% FG, 40.0% 3PT)
- Mykel Parham – Virginia Commonwealth, Apple Valley, 2019 (4.8 pts, 9.0 reb, 1.0 ast, 35.6% FG)
- Kallie Theisen – South Dakota State, Wayzata, 2019 (2.8 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.0 ast, 31.1% FG)
- Tamia Ugass – Kansas City, Roseville, 2021 (4.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 0.5 ast, 46.3% FG)
- NJ Weems – Lamar, DeLaSalle, 2020 (7.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.8 ast, 50.0% FG, 40.0% 3PT)
- Zhane Thompson – Northwestern State, Burnsville, 2020 (5.8 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.4 ast, 35.5% FG, 39.0% 3PT)
COMING UP – In part 2 we'll look at the top freshmen, sophomores and juniors as well as who has done well in the transfer portal.
Top photo: 2021 graduates Sophie Hart, Adalia McKenzie, Gianna Kneepkens and Alexis Pratt.
