Handicapping the field for Minnesota’s Miss Basketball

Earlier this week the nominees for Minnesota's coveted Miss Basketball Award were announced by the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association, 33 players who are in consideration for the annual award given to the state's top senior. The big names are all there, of course, and a few players who may not be as familiar to casual observers. The biggest question is the obvious one: Who will win?

Our goal today is to handicap the field. Who are the favorites? Who will be in the final 10? Who was left off the list? One thing to note: These are not our selections for the award. Rather, they are predictions of who the committee will choose. Based on previous years, it's not surprising that there is significant representation from small, rural schools in the first 33.

The names of the five finalists will be released on Sunday, March 16, the day after the high school state tournament concludes. The winner will be announced at the All-Star Series Banquet on Friday, April 4. Without further ado, here's our take on the selection of Minnesota Miss Basketball 2025.

THE FAVORITES

These are the five players we think the committee will select for the top 5.

Jordan Ode Jordan Ode 6'0" | CG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN – Maple Grove

With the departure of Team USA standout Aaliyah Crump to Florida, Ode assumed the mantle of the top-rated prospect in the state. A varsity standout since the 8^th grade, Ode is a versatile guard who can play multiple roles. She exudes toughness, leadership by example and she excels at both ends of the floor. Jordan will likely hit 2,000 points this weekend. She has signed with Michigan State.

Addison Mack Addison Mack 5'9" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2025 State MN – Minnehaha Academy

Officially ranked #2 in the class, Addi is really more like #1a. With over 4,300 career points, Mack has the highest individual point total of any active player in the state and the second-most of all time. Nobody has worked harder to forge their game and Addi regularly demonstrates a superb skill set, outstanding leadership abilities, and the desire to be great. She has signed with the University of Maryland.

Aneisha Scott Aneisha Scott 5'6" | PG DeLaSalle | 2025 State MN – DeLaSalle

Scott has to be the flashiest performer in this group with a passion for the game that is second to none. She has an outstanding skill set with exceptional handles, elite distribution skills and the ability to get to the rim and score against anyone. Aneisha may not be big but her game is huge. She makes big plays in big moments and always delivers an exceptional effort. Aneisha will compete at the University of Richmond.

Hadley Thul Hadley Thul 6'2" | SG Alexandria Area | 2025 State MN – Alexandria

With exceptional length, outstanding athleticism and a commitment to excellence at both ends of the floor, Hadley has evolved into a physical force, as well. She produces points and prevents opponents from doing the same while leading her team by example. Not surprisingly, the Cardinals have had great success in Class 3A during Thul's time in the lineup. Hadley has signed with South Dakota State.

Kendyl Lodermeier Kendyl Lodermeier 6'0" | PF/SF Goodhue | 2025 State MN – Goodhue

The Miss Basketball committee always does a great job of recognizing small-school players who have achieved great success in their high school careers. Nobody fits that description better than Lodermeier. The physical power forward with the incomparable motor has helped Goodhue to two state championships where she has performed her best on the big stage. Kendyl has committed to Upper Iowa University.

THE REST OF THE TOP 10

Here are five more players who are likely in the hunt.

Abby Hoselton Abby Hoselton 5'11" | PF STMA | 2025 State MN – The versatile workhorse from St. Michael-Albertville is an all-grit, no glamor kind of performer. She's long and athletic, with equal parts physicality and touch around the basket. Former Miss Basketball Tessa Johnson might have garnered the headlines but STMA doesn't win a 4A state championship without Hoselton's contributions. She'll play college ball at South Dakota State.

Hope Counts Hope Counts 6'2" | SF Providence Academy | 2025 State MN – Much like Hoselton, the versatile forward from Providence Academy doesn't get enough credit for the Lions' incredible run of success that includes three consecutive Class 2A state championships. Hope is the ying to Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN 's yang, a one-two combination that has produced exceptional results. Hope will compete next year for D1 Lipscomb University in Nashville.

Sam Wills Sam Wills 6'0" | SG Visitation | 2025 State MN – If you were to build the ideal basketball player, prospect and personality from scratch, you'd more than likely end up with someone like Sam. She is the consummate professional, a player with length, athleticism and a scorer's touch who brings their best every day while making everyone around her better. Visitation may not be a glamor program but Sam is a shining star. Wills will attend Harvard University this fall.

Tori Schlagel Tori Schlagel 5'9" | CG Eden Prairie | 2025 State MN – If there was a nominee for the most versatile, most well-rounded player in the class, Tori would most definitely win it. The Eden Prairie guard is ultra-talented, bringing everything you'd want a skilled floor leader to bring. She's equal parts fast, physical and ferocious. Schlagel's game is going to translate very well to the Division 1 collegiate level where she'll play for the University of South Dakota.

Rylie Cother Rylie Cother 5'9" | CG Jackson Cty Central | 2025 State MN – The sharp-shooting guard from Jackson County Central is another prospect out of rural Minnesota who may not be as well known as some of the aforementioned stars. For those who've been paying attention, however, you know that Rylie is among the state's best pure shooters and elite scorers. This week Cother had a 61-point game, the 5^th-highest single game output in Minnesota history. Rylie will play at Winona State.

THE NOMINEES

WHO GOT MISSED?

Every year there are surprising names on the list of nominees for Miss Basketball – usually small-school players who haven't played AAU or competed at the high school state tournament. It's unlikely most fans have heard of Morgan Turn Morgan Turn 5'7" | CG Kittson County Central | 2025 State MN from Kittson County Central, for example. Every year there are also surprising omissions. There are a few missing players who are definitely among the top 30 performers in this year's senior class.

We'd include top 10 prospect Bree Bowman Bree Bowman 6'2" | SF Prior Lake | 2025 State MN of Prior Lake, who has committed to Colorado State. Ditto for Lakeville South forward Danielle Coleman Danielle Coleman 6'1" | SG Lakeville South | 2025 State MN , who has been a force for the Cougars. She's committed to the University of Sioux Falls. Forward Anna Greene Anna Greene 6'1" | SF Mahtomedi | 2025 State MN of Mahtomedi (Northern Iowa), defensive standout Liana Buckhalton Liana Buckhalton 6'0" | CG Stillwater | 2025 State MN of Stillwater (Eastern Illinois) and workhorse Haven Fisher Haven Fisher 5'11" | SG Prior Lake | 2025 State MN of Prior Lake (Tulsa) deserved consideration. Among small-school kids I would have definitely included Barnesville standout Abby John Abby John 5'9" | CG Barnesville | 2025 State MN (MSU-Moorhead).

RECENT WINNERS