The Week That Was #5: Emerging talent steps up

One of the most exciting things about this point of the basketball season is watching the emergence of new stars and fresh faces who are proving themselves ready for a bigger role. That trend was certainly obvious over the past seven days as we watched some of the most promising young prospects in Minnesota step up. That's where we'll begin our recap of the final stretch before Christmas – the Week That Was #5.   GAME OF THE WEEK   Heading into Thursday's game in New Prague, it seemed like a tall order for Chanhassen to knock off a veteran Trojans squad that was the last remaining undefeated team in Class 4A. With a starting lineup that includes a freshman and three sophomores, the Storm were clearly underdogs. After trailing at the half by two points, Chan fell behind by double digits early in the second period. That's when the youngsters stepped up and delivered.   [player_tooltip player_id='630241' first='Kate' last='Arnold'] went off, taking advantage of foul trouble for NP standout [player_tooltip player_id='595199' first='Maya' last='Kilian'] to sprint to the basket for buckets and knock down long bombs. With the potential to be a dominant performer any day of the week, the 14th-ranked sophomore in the state was on fire. Not to be left out, 18th-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='763004' first='Lyla' last='Hentges'] turned in another top-notch performance as Chanhassen clawed their way back into the contest. Another Storm youngster – 2028 top 40  [player_tooltip player_id='918649' first='Reese' last='Keating'] – scored on a sweet floater in the lane as the starting point guard gave Chanhassen a 70-67 lead that would stand up until the end. Veteran New Prague guard [player_tooltip player_id='459646' first='Taylor' last='Hemann'] (North Iowa Area CC) had two long-distance attempts in the final 10 seconds. Her buzzer-beater attempt bounced off the rim as time expired.   The 5'11 Arnold finished the game with 27 points, the same total that senior [player_tooltip player_id='595556' first='Katherine' last='Boulanger'] (Wartburg) tallied for New Prague. The 5'10 Hentges, who landed 11 threes on opening night for the Storm, finished with 14. Veteran 6'5 post [player_tooltip player_id='339221' first='Kelsey' last='Miller'] (High Point) scored 10. Chan enters the Christmas break with a record of 5-2. They are trending upward due in no small part to their emerging talent now taking center stage.   EMERGING STANDOUTS   We predicted big things this winter for freshman post [player_tooltip player_id='911664' first='Brianna' last='Eggers'] of Buffalo and the Top 10 prospect in the Class of 2028 has certainly delivered. During week #5, Eggers had two outstanding performances: A season-high 29 and 8 rebounds against Bloomington Jefferson on Tuesday and a 26-and-10 game against Rogers. The 6'2 post is averaging 16 points per game and is leading a turnaround at Buffalo. The Bisons are 5-4, a vast improvement over last year's 4-23 record. Of course, the realities of the Lake Conference still loom in January but that shouldn't diminish the progress being made.   [player_tooltip player_id='764292' first='Aaliyah' last='Williams'] of Rochester Lourdes (banner photo) is a rising star in the Class of 2027. The point guard is a Top 50 talent with a ton of skill and the moxie to match. Williams set a Lourdes record in a win at Lake City, knocking down 10 three-pointers in a 34-point outing. Aaliyah is averaging 16 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Eagles while shooting nearly 44% from three.   Big Lake is certainly struggling but sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='594874' first='Ashley' last='Fitzgibbons'] is definitely not. The Top 60 prospect leads the way for the Hornets, who were winless until Fitzgibbons' 43-point outburst against Zimmerman helped her team to a 76-74 victory. Ashley is averaging 20 points per game.   Other emerging performers who had big games last week include:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>2028 #17 [player_tooltip player_id='565313' first='Elsa' last='Retzlaff'] of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls scored 7 three-point baskets and 31 points in a win against Wheaton-Herman-Norcross.</li>   <li>2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='764196' first='Greta' last='Eaves'] of Maranatha Christian Academy of Brooklyn Park had a double-double with 27 points, 10 steals and 7 assists.</li>   <li>Edina youngsters [player_tooltip player_id='994855' first='Izze' last='Austin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='918684' first='Quinn' last='Kemper'] continue to lead the way for the Hornets. Austin, a 2029 guard, had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists against St. Louis Park. Kemper, ranked #18 in the Class of 2028, scored 23 in the same game.</li>   <li>2029 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1002988' first='Chloe' last='Reedy'] of Royalton has demonstrated that she is ready to make a big impact at the varsity level. The 8th grader had a 25-point game with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.</li> </ul>   VETERAN PERFORMERS   While the youngsters have been shining, we have to acknowledge some of the veterans who posted numbers last week. That would include 6'2 junior post [player_tooltip player_id='502561' first='Marta' last='Forsline'] of Mesabi East, who put up 32 points and 10 rebounds in one game and had 20 points, 15 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 assists and 3 steals in another.   Among the week's other big scorers were [player_tooltip player_id='567375' first='Maddy' last='Freking'] of Anoka, who had a 40-point game; [player_tooltip player_id='502602' first='Morgan' last='Staloch'] of Jordan with 33; [player_tooltip player_id='453733' first='Emily' last='Anderson'] of Martin County West (UW-River Falls) and [player_tooltip player_id='498657' first='Aubrey' last='Steffl'] of Cedar Mountain with 31 points apiece; and [player_tooltip player_id='550012' first='Halle' last='Eischens'] of Park Rapids, who scored 30.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/860-Madilynn-Bell.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-993527" /></figure>   YOUNGSTER TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='897889' first='Madilynn' last='Bell'] of Lakeville North has earned minutes in the Panthers' lineup of late as a backup to [player_tooltip player_id='644878' first='Sahara' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396430' first='Aduke' last='Ojullu'] and the 2028 forward is making the most of her opportunity. The 6'1 freshman is improving rapidly and becoming more consistent in her level of play. Once she fills out and gains strength, while becoming more comfortable with the pace and intensity of top-level Class 4A basketball, Bell has a chance to be really good. Watch for her in the Class of 2028 rankings come February.   We watched Lakeville North (3-5) in a 70-55 loss against Minnetonka on Thursday. The Panthers have taken their lumps with a killer schedule and some key injuries. Freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='908286' first='Lauren' last='Robison'] sustained a broken finger Dec. 10 against Providence Academy and isn't expected to return until mid-January. UM-Duluth signee [player_tooltip player_id='346182' first='Elayna' last='Boe'] has been nursing a sprained ankle.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/Brylee-Miller-1000.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1118363" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://x.com/MNRiseGirls" target="_blank">X.com</a></figcaption></figure>   MILESTONES   [player_tooltip player_id='339179' first='Brylee' last='Miller'] passed the 1,000-career points mark in style last week, scoring 39 points in a 68-48 win over Jackson County Central to reach the coveted milestone. The Minnesota State-Mankato commit from Fairmont is ranked #22 in the Class of 2026.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/Liana-Buckhalton-1000.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1116883" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://x.com/lianabuckhalton" target="_blank">X.com</a></figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='208185' first='Liana' last='Buckhalton'] of Stillwater hit the 1,000-point mark for her career, scoring a season-high 21 points in a win over Andover. Known more for her defensive prowess, Buckhalton is also a proven scorer averaging 16 ppg for the 7-2 Ponies. Li has committed to Eastern Illinois.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/Tusler-1000.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1118359" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://x.com/MarissaTusler" target="_blank">X.com</a></figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='675882' first='Marissa' last='Tusler'] of West Lutheran is having an outstanding season for the Warriors and is averaging nearly 20 points per game. She tied her season high with 27 in a win over PACT Charter to reach 1,000 career points. Tusler is a Top 100 prospect in the Class of 2026.   Hannah Dauer of Windom may not be a household name but the 5'9 senior can obviously fill up the basket. She scored a team-high 18 points in a narrow victory over Redwood Valley last week to reach 1,000 points for her career. Dauer, a dynamic scorer who can play multiple positions, averaged 16 points and 5 rebounds per game last winter. Now 7-1, Windom set a school record last week with 99 points in a game against Worthington. The Eagles' only loss so far is to undefeated Marshall.   SERVING UP LEFTOVERS   It wouldn't be the holiday season without a few leftovers. Here are some tidbits we missed recently.   On Friday the 13th against Burnsville, junior [player_tooltip player_id='736173' first='Carly' last='Olson'] of Farmington had a huge game with 21 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists. The Top 100 prospect was a remarkable 10-for-12 from the field. Olson is averaging over 10 ppg this season, trailing only sophomore standout [player_tooltip player_id='630245' first='Gianna' last='Carpentier'] in the Tigers' lineup.   Also on the 13th, senior [player_tooltip player_id='339126' first='Maddie' last='Backer'] of New Ulm (Central College) set a school record with 15 steals. On Dec. 10, [player_tooltip player_id='498662' first='Jadyn' last='Kor'] of Pipestone (ranked #36 in 2026) posted a double-double against Worthington, scoring 33 points and grabbing 11 boards. We also neglected to tell you about St. Peter guard [player_tooltip player_id='208187' first='Annika' last='Southworth'] (Trine commit), who drained 8 triples and scored 40 points against Pipestone.      COMING UP   We'll have a preview of the <a href="https://www.breakdownsportsusa.com/page/show/4916303-granite-city-classic">Granite City Classic</a> coming up late Monday. The tournament runs Friday and Saturday. With more than 40 girls games spread across seven locations, it's likely the biggest high school basketball tournament in the country. We'll overload you with coverage of that early next week.   After a couple of days off in Sioux Falls for Christmas, we'll bring you a look at how Minnesota's high school graduates are doing at the next level. It has been a banner year for the big names like Paige Bueckers, Gianna Kneepkens, Ayoka Lee and more. PGH scout Ally McGinnis is busy tracking down individual statistics, and we'll include info on as many players as we can.

One of the most exciting things about this point of the basketball season is watching the emergence of new stars and fresh faces who are proving themselves ready for a bigger role. That trend was certainly obvious over the past seven days as we watched some of the most promising young prospects in Minnesota step up. That's where we'll begin our recap of the final stretch before Christmas – the Week That Was #5.