2027 rankings update: Introducing 17 newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week we released the winter update of the Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Class of 2027 rankings. We added 17 players to the fold this time around. Six of those newcomers found their way into the top 100. After dropping two players who have moved on from basketball since our last update in the fall, that leaves us with 115 ranked prospects in Minnesota's sophomore class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out our stories from earlier this week on <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/02/2027-rankings-update-stock-risers-in-the-top-20/">stock risers in the top 20</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/02/2027-rankings-update-who-moved-up-the-most/">prospects who moved up the most</a></strong>. Today we bring you the newcomers with full evaluations on the top six plus the basics on the other 11. Congratulations to all of the girls. Being among the top 115 in a class of more than 1,000 varsity sophomores is a heck of an accomplishment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764207"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c20a990e0eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Over the past 12 months, Kinnley has morphed from a player with potential into a prospect to be reckoned with. Her enhanced confidence, aggressiveness with the basketball, and skill development have propelled the lengthy guard to new heights. When Kinnley exploded with a 30-point game in mid-December, she put everyone on notice that this was going to be a big year. Colligan was Rogers' leading scorer at north of 15 points per game. She has length, height and bounce and can knock it down from distance. Colligan is at #58 with every opportunity to move up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764197"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c20a990e14a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hailey has been on our radar for some time but it was her performance at the Breakdown Community Clash earlier in the month at St. Michael-Albertville that sealed the deal for her to enter the prospect rankings. Playing a tough Fargo Davies squad, Sicard showed off her athleticism, quick feet, great lateral movement, and a strong, muscular build. Hailey isn't lighting up the scoreboard for the Raptors yet but her overall contributions have been crucial to the success of a potential state-tournament squad. Hailey is a gamer who will fight for everything. Now she's a top 75 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999555"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c20a990e190"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back in January we looked at some of the top talent emerging from Southern Minnesota and Ivy's performance took center stage. The lanky guard is among the youngsters leading a resurgent program at United South Central that returned to relevance this season. She averaged over 15 points per game and filled up several columns on the stats sheet. Ivy is a gym rat who has always had skill, passion and potential. A big growth spurt in the past 12 months propelled O'Rourke to – pardon the pun! – new heights. Ivy's future is bright as reflected by her #77 ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1145711"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c20a990e1d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The number of prospects coming out of Southeastern Minnesota in recent years is remarkable. While schools like Stewartville, Kasson-Mantorville and Goodhue always draw lots of eyeballs, the Triton Cobras from Dodge Center are not well-known. Perhaps Essig will change that. This prospect is a jock with the athleticism, build, bounce and aggression we look for. Her energy, effort and compete level are outstanding. Her confidence is impressive for a young player. And Reagan has speed and quickness, too. Essig is an intriguing prospect we'll be watching closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764198"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c20a990e219"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Defense wins. How many times have you heard us reiterate that truism? If you're looking for a 6-footer who can change a game on the defensive end, look no further than Hallie. The lengthy sophomore is hard to miss and not just because of her striking red hair! Just look in the lane where her presence is vital. Follow the opposing ball handler and watch how Hallie employs her long arms and terrofic anticipation to force turnovers and grab steals. And she can score – 12 points per game on a team that is 23-2. Like most of the Mayer girls, Hunter is a strong volleyball player, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1078537"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c20a990e25d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Earlier in the week we named [player_tooltip player_id='866106' first='Lola' last='Christianson'] of Goodhue as one of our top stock risers as she moved up to #70 in the 2027 rankings.  While Lola was quicker to earn playing times and produce results for the Wildcats, this winter has been twin sister Aubrey's breakthrough season which is why she, too, is now in the top 100. Aubrey has really come into her own thanks to enhanced playing opportunities and growing confidence. She has light feet, natural athleticism and a high level of skill. She's also a pest on defense, a player with the tenacity and grit that frustrates opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WHO ELSE MADE THE GRADE?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to the six prospects who are now among Minnesota's top 100 sophomores, there were another 11 players who entered the Class of 2027 rankings for the first time:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#105 [player_tooltip player_id='990223' first='Ashlynn' last='Forde'] – 5'11 guard, Park Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#106 [player_tooltip player_id='1177343' first='Jacey' last='Bryan'] – 5'8 guard, St. Michael-Albertville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#107 [player_tooltip player_id='759866' first='Samantha' last='Bennett'] – 5'9 guard, New Life Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#108 [player_tooltip player_id='764190' first='Eilidh' last='Mrnak'] –5'7 guard, Becker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#109 [player_tooltip player_id='764227' first='Savannah' last='Mehan'] – 5'9 guard, Legacy Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#110 [player_tooltip player_id='764186' first='Cate' last='Currie'] – 6'1 forward, Rochester Century</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#111 [player_tooltip player_id='675884' first='Ava' last='Ostermann'] – 5'7 guard, Elk River</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#112 [player_tooltip player_id='764216' first='Maryn' last='Prenevost'] – 5'6 guard, Orono</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#113 [player_tooltip player_id='764191' first='Ella' last='Burke'] – 5'9 guard, Edina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#114 [player_tooltip player_id='1175103' first='Morgan' last='Rysdam']– 5'8 guard, Braham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#115 [player_tooltip player_id='1124604' first='Brynn' last='Koehnen'] – 5'5 guard, Lakeville North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HOW DO THE RANKINGS WORK?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just a quick reminder that the Prep Girls Hoops prospect rankings are based on their potential as a college player, not their current performance in high school. For details on how the rankings process works, please visit the <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/how-we-rank/">How We Rank</a></strong> page.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->