Kasson-Mantorville Showcase: These kids have got next

When we venture into the gym we do so with open eyes and an open mind to whatever players happen to step onto the court to perform that day. Our over-arching goal, however, is always the same: to find the next generation of great girls basketball prospects in Minnesota. There's no better feeling than seeing a kid do enough within their first few minutes of action to convince us that they've got a chance to be great. On Saturday afternoon at the Kasson-Mantorville Showcase, that girl was an 8th grader from Byron who made us sit up and take notice immediately. Here are some of the bright young prospects who showed us that they've got next.   NEWCOMER OF THE DAY   [player_tooltip player_id='1095939' first='Raegan' last='Kelm'] – 2029 guard, Byron   There is no shortage of talent in Byron's starting lineup, including University of North Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='252380' first='Kendra' last='Harvey'], top-20 junior [player_tooltip player_id='498663' first='Madison' last='Ohm'] and top-30 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='654990' first='Kayla' last='Stork']. When their 8th grade teammate rolled into the game off the bench, it did not take more than a minute or two to see that there is now one more budding star wearing the black and gold of the Bears. The number one thing that will make a player stand out immediately is athleticism. Second, a big motor. And third, an advanced skill set. Kelm checks all three of those boxes.   Raegan is wise beyond her years. She plays with poise and intelligence we rarely see in young teenagers. She understands when to stay and when to go, with a natural feel for the game that has enabled her to earn big minutes as a middle-schooler. Kelm has good size and strength for her age and plenty of bounce. What really sets her apart, however, is her excellence on the defensive end. She reminds us of Providence Academy guard [player_tooltip player_id='529357' first='Emma' last='Millerbernd'] in that regard, a gifted competitor who earned our high school defensive player of the year award as an 8th grader. Raegan scored three field goals in the first half against New Ulm and followed that up by going 4-of-4 at the free throw line in the second half.   Kelm will play this summer for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Nike on a loaded squad with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='872714' first='Beckett' last='Greenway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='884449' first='Andie' last='Changamire'], two other rising stars in the class of 2029. Remember Raegan's name because you're going to be hearing it a lot over the next few years.   Here are some more talented youngsters who earned recognition on Saturday.   YOUNG STANDOUTS   [player_tooltip player_id='786398' first='Zaida' last='Jenkins'] – 2028 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's   The 5'9 guard did enough this summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] to earn a spot in the Freshmen 50, our initial ranking of the Class of 2028. She was definitely good. Fast forward some three months and Zaida has become a whole different player in exactly the right ways. She has earned a big role at Benilde, playing key minutes off the bench, drawing quality assignments and delivering on the promise of summer. Jenkins scored a dozen points on Saturday in the Red Knights' win over Stewartville, including a pair of buckets from beyond the arc. Currently ranked #45, Zaida is making her a case for a bump up the list.   [player_tooltip player_id='1047086' first='Mckenna' last='Hulke'] – 2028 guard, New Ulm   When the 2028 rankings came out last fall, Hulke was not among the Freshmen 50. If the tally included 55 players, however, she would have got in. Based on what we've seen this high school season, McKenna will no doubt make the cut when we do the winter rankings update. She was in the Eagles starting lineup Saturday against Byron and displayed her usual high-energy game. Hulke seems to always be moving, always attacking, always looking to use her quickness and athleticism to gain an advantage. On Saturday that included just two points (her senior sister [player_tooltip player_id='396444' first='Morgan' last='Hulke'] had 16) but Mckenna served notice in many different ways that she is a young talent on the rise.   2029 [player_tooltip player_id='981166' first='Leah' last='Brustad'] & 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='866655' first='Maggie' last='Joyce'] – New Ulm   Last spring Ally McGinnis and I travelled to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter for the Section 2AAA semifinal match between New Ulm and St. Peter at the Lund Center. That day there were two youngsters who played key roles for New Ulm: Brustad and Joyce. Now 10 months on, both prospects are making excellent progress. Joyce earned a top-20 ranking in the Class of 2028. Brustad will be in the running for similar standing when we rank the 2029s in the fall. On Saturday Joyce had 10 points, all in the first half. Brustad scored 7, all in the second half. Ironically, that's kind of how our first viewing of the pair played out, as well. Leah is a wing/guard who is still growing into her lanky body. Her length is already a huge factor defensively. About 6 feet tall, Joyce is already big and strong and powerful, and Maggie is relentlessly driven to be the best she can be. We can't wait to see where this twosome will be by this time next year.   [player_tooltip player_id='991231' first='Danika' last='Shindelar'] – 2028 guard, Stewartville   We don't have the data but just looking at Danika it's obvious that she has shot up and leaned out and grown her skillset over the past few months. When the Stewartville starting lineup was announced over the PA system at Alerus Arena in Kasson, there were two Shindelars introduced: South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='458305' first='Audrey' last='Shindelar'] (2026 #8) and her freshman sister Danika. There is no debating that Danika belongs. She is a clever combo guard who does so many things well. Like Audrey, Danika is a fundamentally sound performer who understands the game at a high level, competes with gusto and physicality, and can score or distribute equally well. Defensively Danika is a dynamo who never gives up on the ball. She scored 8 points on Saturday, just a smidge under her season average.   OTHERS WHO GOT NOTICED   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1132957' first='Sadie' last='Romens'] – 2029 guard, Stewartville</li>   <li>Maggie Sandcork – 2027 guard, Winona Cotter</li>   <li>Addison Walsh – 2027 guard, Austin</li>   <li>Naijiona Shaw – 2027 guard, Como Park</li> </ul>

When we venture into the gym we do so with open eyes and an open mind to whatever players happen to step onto the court to perform that day. Our over-arching goal, however, is always the same: to find the next generation of great girls basketball prospects in Minnesota. There's no better feeling than seeing a kid do enough within their first few minutes of action to convince us that they've got a chance to be great. On Saturday afternoon at the Kasson-Mantorville Showcase, that girl was an 8th grader from Byron who made us sit up and take notice immediately. Here are some of the bright young prospects who showed us that they've got next.