Who's having a bounce-back season so far?

The length of a marathon, the ride of a rollercoaster. That's how I usually describe the road to college basketball. At times it is excruciating, especially when major obstacles land in the path of prospects trying to make their way to the next level. Whether that's an injury or a family disruption or mental health or an impactful coaching change, players sometimes have to crawl their way through challenges to move forward with resilience. A month into the 2024-25 high school basketball season, we've seen several players having a successful bounce-back season to date after facing obstacles in the past year. Here are a few that have caught our attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='296516' first='Regan' last='Juenemann'] – 2025 guard, Crosby-Ironton   Numbers never tell a complete story but Regan's productivity this season playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein'] at Crosby-Ironton are a solid indicator of just how effective she has been for the undefeated Rangers. Through the weekend, Regan is averaging 23.3 points per game while shooting 66% from the field, 82% at the free throw line and an eye-popping 58% from 3-point range. C-I coach Pete Vukelich couldn't be happier.   “Regan has found space nicely within our offense,” Vukelich explained. “Tori poses an inside and outside threat but now with two other teammates averaging near double figures, I feel like that has opened her shooting up even more. She has a quick release which helps within our fast-paced offense. With cutters constantly roaming through she finds herself open on a weak side wing or corner. “   Although things seemed to get better last winter as the season progressed, and the numbers were certainly good, it was clear that Regan wasn't herself much of the time. The energy level wasn't always there nor the consistency. At times her normally sky-high confidence level dipped. Watching from the sidelines, however, you never know what a player might be going through off the court.   Sometimes a change of scenery can help, and that's certainly been the case for Regan. After moving 100 miles southwest to Crosby-Ironton, Juenemann looks like herself again. She is once again the highly athletic, super-fast, very bouncy player we first starting writing about way back in 2021. She can score at pace, has improved her finishing around the rim, and can obviously knock down threes as well as anyone in the state. Most importantly, the 5'9 guard appears to be having fun again. Ranked #20 in the Class of 2025, Juenemann and [player_tooltip player_id='215457' first='London' last='Harris'] of Hopkins are the two best unsigned prospects in Minnesota's senior class.   “Regan has also been incredibly unselfish,” Vukelich said. “Many times this season has she passed to a teammate on a 2-on-0 break so they can score. It's not often that you see a wide-open layup given up for a teammate. She has bought into our program with no hesitation or questioning. She's here to win and seems like she is having an absolute ball doing so.”   Here are three more Minnesota players having a bounce-back season.   [player_tooltip player_id='307818' first='Mylea' last='Monahan'] – 2025 guard, Glencoe-Silver Lake   Mylea is on the long road back from an ACL injury. If last week's performances are an accurate indicator, it's clear that Monahan is back in form and thriving. Ranked 12th among Minnesota seniors, the Drake University commit had games of 46, 33 and 30 points. Even though her game has never been about scoring, Mylea's numbers speak volumes about where she's at. Monahan is averaging 26.2 points, 8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2 steals per game while shooting 63% from the field,   “Mylea impacts our team in so many ways, not only with her ability to score at the rim or from deep range from 3, but her ability to find open players, draw multiple defenders and set her teammates up to score,” said GSL coach Maddie Petersen, the former Drake University star who also happens to be Mylea's older sister. “She also impacts the team defensively, leading in steals and rebounds and setting the tone with communication. It has been such a joy seeing her back on the court.”   [player_tooltip player_id='296523' first='Kendall' last='McGee'] – 2025 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's   The top 3 prospect has been one of the most dynamic players we've seen, but the catastrophic knee injury she suffered at the 2023 high school state tournament was as bad as it gets. Returning to action this fall, McGee is gradually rounding into form. We watched her twice last week, including a 16-point performance on Saturday against Duluth Marshall. She's currently averaging 11.8 points per game and is a huge part what the Red Knights have been able to do.   At the moment, Kendall's game is different from what we are accustomed to seeing. The Creighton University commit was formerly all about power and speed and athleticism, the kind of player who would attack you like a ferocious lion from start to finish. Right now, McGee is more like clever snake lurking in the grass waiting to pounce. When she attacks, Kendall demonstrates that same ability to blow past you on the baseline to score at the rim, slip past defenders in the lane or knock down that killer jump shot in your face. It might take a while, but McGee's bounce-back season is off and running.   [player_tooltip player_id='595199' first='Maya' last='Kilian'] – 2027 guard/forward, New Prague   After being hampered by injuries throughout most of her freshman campaign, the 6'1 sophomore is off to a terrific start this winter. Now that Kilian is healthy again, we are seeing the same high-level prospect we first covered way back in the spring of 2022. Maya is long and athletic. and has the kind of height and wingspan that college coaches covet. She moves very well, which contributes to her effectiveness at both ends of the floor. With 5 threes in a game last week against Shakopee, it's obvious that Maya can generate points from long distance. She's now averaging 15.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Entering the week, New Prague was the only remaining undefeated team in Class 4A. Kilian is ranked #21 in the Class of 2027 and she is living up to those rather lofty expectations as she bounces back in 2024-25.

The length of a marathon, the ride of a rollercoaster. That's how I usually describe the road to college basketball. At times it is excruciating, especially when major obstacles land in the path of prospects trying to make their way to the next level. Whether that's an injury or a family disruption or mental health or an impactful coaching change, players sometimes have to crawl their way through challenges to move forward with resilience. A month into the 2024-25 high school basketball season, we've seen several players having a successful bounce-back season to date after facing obstacles in the past year. Here are a few that have caught our attention.