2025 State Tournament Report: Semi-Final Manufacturers

Here we have a number of prospects that had impactful performances during their Semi-final's matchup. Each player listed is either college committed already or they have the ability to play at the college level, if they were so given that opportunity, so make sure you don't sleep on them!   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    The more that I watch [player_tooltip player_id='996522' first='Taylor' last='Franck'], the more she shows what she is really made of. Franck has been a constant at the PG position all season long for the Mustangs. She will also venture over and compete at the 2 spot on occasions because of how many skilled guards her Varsity roster possesses. I would put Franck in the category of a pass first PG, that understands how to beat her opponent off the dribble for a finish at the hoop or she can hit a cutting teammate for an easy assist. Defensively, she is scrappy and annoying. She gets into her opponent physically and that wears on them throughout the contest, usually creating some sort of turnovers down the line. When Mount Vernon hoists their 3A Championship trophy tonight, this is someone that will be able to look back and know they made a lasting impact for their program.     Some insider information for everyone at home. Following North Polk's QF matchup at the State Tournament on Tuesday, Dillinger went back home and got back to work in the gym. Quite literally. Dillinger was back on the court just a few hours later to hone in on her shooting ability and man did it pay off. In North Polk's Semi-final matchup, she went off. 7-11 from the field, while going 7-10 from three point land to set a 4A State Tournament record. Not to mention, at one point she made 3 three pointers, in back to back to back possessions. This was a prime example of what Dillinger can really do. At the next level with her D2 Auggie team, I expect to hear about this one for years to come but first, they are looking to finish things with a 4A title on Saturday afternoon.     Estherville Lincoln Central ended their season last night with a tough loss to Mount Vernon by 1. In this contest, [player_tooltip player_id='1055324' first='Hillary' last='Ruschy'] for the Midgets showed out as someone that could do some really positive things on both offense and defense. Throughout the whole game, Ruschy was all over the floor and tasked with defending the Center for Mount Vernon, 6'2 [player_tooltip player_id='1005091' first='Chloe' last='Meester']. A task that is not for the faint of heart but she held her own at a respectable rate. She was physical, she never gave up on a play, and she was always willing to fight for position. Offensively, Ruschy was rebounding and she was evening making some jump shots from all over the court. One shot that stood out to everyone was when she made a deep 3-pointer in the 4th to keep the game in reach. With Ruschy's mixture of athletic ability, size, and knowledge of the game, I am surprised she isn't committed to compete at the next level but something's that is just how it works out.     You can't deny production. Plain and simple. [player_tooltip player_id='671465' first='Claire' last='Lueken'] is a producer whenever she takes the floor, in high school or AAU. As of most recent, Lueken put on a clinic in her team's Semi-final contest. She started things off by scoring her team's first 9 points to take the lead, then she kept chipping in from there. She was mainly holding it down on the block and in the post as no one could match her. It really took multiple defenders efforts to get her to pass the ball out but by then, her teammates had wide open looks in which they made a majority of. When the final buzzer sounded, Lueken was your Fareway Player Of The Game because she was just truly unstoppable in this showing and that helped her team grab onto the W.     The mixture of athleticism, adaptability, and explosive-ness that [player_tooltip player_id='1056799' first='Ava' last='Hocker'] has demonstrated these past few weeks is noteworthy. I have received a lot of comments asking about Hocker and her college future because recruiters are starting to see the promise here. Hocker is a 5'10 SG out of the Sophomore Class at this moment. She has a smooth shooting stroke when letting go of the ball, she never seems to be rushed or pressured to make a bad choice, and she moves really well when she doesn't have possession. That last one is a major key to being a good or great shooter. You have to consistently move in your offense and Hocker demonstrates that.     Sometimes when you play on the biggest stage, it brings out the best in you. That's what we have seen this week out of [player_tooltip player_id='502101' first='Madden' last='Wilson'] and her Xavier squad. Xavier came into this State Tournament as the #8 seed but they sure aren't playing like it. Last night they took down the powerhouse that is Norwalk High School and their X-factor was Wilson at the PG spot. Wilson made shots all night from all three offensive levels, she took a huge charge to get a key opponent into foul trouble in the second half, and she scored a crucial 5 points within the last two minutes to seal the victory for her team. This was such a standout performance that afterwards she was offered on the spot to play the next level from a college coach out of the state of Iowa. I think that says it all. This was her first offer and it won't be her last. Especially if she follows up on Saturday with an even better showing.

Here we have a number of prospects that had impactful performances during their Semi-final's matchup. Each player listed is either college committed already or they have the ability to play at the college level, if they were so given that opportunity, so make sure you don't sleep on them!