Tony Take’s: MN Heat Battle for Mom edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='712689' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] </strong>Battle for Mom Tournament is the unofficial signal that AAU season is in full swing. With games running from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. across 11 courts at Forest Lake High School, it was the perfect setting to discover under-the-radar talent and watch established players raise their game to the next level. Below is a little bit of both.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947135' first='Ava' last='Bolin'] - 2026 post, Opportunity Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bolin is a strong throwback to traditional post players – she rim runs with purpose, rebounds effectively within her area, and provides a solid defensive presence in the paint. Offensively, The post out of Woddbury displayed patience and awareness, consistently making the right read by finding open shooters rather than forcing her own shot. While she doesn't look to score often, when she does, her good footwork and polished moves around the basket reflect the time she's invested in developing her post game. With this type of effort, the Woodbury post currently ranked 163rd in the 2026 class, will be looking to make a significant climb. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502594' first='Ashlynn' last='Spong'] - 2026 guard, Opportunity Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashlynn, currently ranked 127th in the 2026 class, showcased an impressive level of toughness from the guard position in Saturday's games. She used polished footwork to navigate the lane and finish through contact, showing strength and body control. Her ability to stop on a dime for a smooth mid-range pull-up added another layer to her offensive game. Beyond her scoring, Spong stood out as a vocal leader, consistently communicating on both ends of the floor and setting the tone for her team. At this rate, she'll be poised to improve on her 7.3 ppg at St. Croix Prep next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Haley Benson - 2026 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712697' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] Babcock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson, the Crossfire guard out of Lakeville South, delivered a strong two-way performance at the Battle for Mom tournament. Offensively, she showcased polished ball-handling and deep shooting range, while consistently pushing the pace in transition. She did a great job advancing the ball and picking her spots to look for her own shot. Defensively, Benson used her quick hands and feet to create disruptions, generating deflections for extra possessions for her Crossfire squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='914941' first='Briana' last='Foster'] -<strong> 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long, lanky sniper came out aggressive on both ends in Saturday's tune-up, setting the tone for what's shaping up to be a competitive AAU run. Foster and her squad played up in the 17U bracket, and she wasted no time making her presence felt. The Minnehaha Academy product, currently rated 14th in the 2028 class, attacked the rim with a quick first step and looked to push the pace from the opening tip. On the defensive end, she used her length to alter shots and rebound effectively – often grabbing the board and leading the break to find streaking teammates for easy buckets in transition. Foster is poised for a big summer as she gears up for a breakout high school season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='786398' first='Zaida' last='Jenkins'] - 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pictured above, the lightning-quick guard out of Benilde-St. Margaret's is a nightmare for defenders in transition. Her ability to attack and finish with either hand makes her a tough cover, and if you back off to guard the drive, she'll knock down the jumper with ease. While her offensive skill set is impressive, it's her defensive energy that truly sets her apart. She flips the switch from offense to defense in an instant – chasing down loose balls, jumping passing lanes, and disrupting opposing offenses like there are two of her on the court. Big things are ahead for this budding star who's currently ranked 33rd in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->