Tony's Takes from the Fury's Spring Showdown

AAU season is in full swing and we took some time to dive into the deep and talented 2028 class – plus, we even stumbled upon a gem from the 2029 class playing up a level. The future is bright, and the talent is real. Below are 10 players who caught our eye at the Spring Showdown with standout performances and undeniable potential.   Byrnn Munson – 2029 guard, Nine 25 Burkhart 15U   This dynamic guard (pictured above) representing Southwest Christian High School is all gas, no brakes. Munson has a strong build and undeniable “it” factor – you can see it in the way she maneuvers on the court with her eyes up, always scanning for opportunities for both herself and her teammates. She constantly pressures defenses with her ability to get into the paint and has no hesitation pulling from deep if you sag off. On the defensive side, she's just as relentless. Munson is an opposing player's nightmare, picking up full court and harassing ball handlers until they're forced to give it up. She was all over the floor during the Spring Showdown, making her presence felt on every possession. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree she's the daughter of Katie Dale, who suited up for Bemidji. As just an 8th grader this past high school season, Munson was a regular in the rotation, gaining valuable experience. So playing up a level this spring? No big deal.   Nora Boll – 2028 wing, Nine 25 Burkhart 15U   Long and lengthy, Boll has a ton of upside. Right now, she's making her presence felt on the glass and the defensive side of the ball. In the opening minute of her game on Saturday during the Showdown, she blocked a shot to spark a fast break that led to an easy bucket. Moments later, she picked up a steal that gave her team another valuable possession. Offensively, she doesn't look to score much just yet, but she made a strong impact by crashing the offensive boards and converting second-chance points. When she did get paint touches, Boll impressed with her patience and court vision—threading pinpoint passes to cutting teammates that led to scoring opportunities. As mentioned, the upside here is clear. She's just getting started, and the foundation she's building on both ends of the floor is exciting to watch.   Clarissa Irving – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='779294' first='Northern' last='Lights'] 9   Irving was a blast to watch during the Spring Showdown. She relentlessly attacked the paint, using her impressive footwork and upper-body strength to finish through contact at the rim. Playing with poise and control, she took full advantage of her 5'10" frame – seeing over defenders and doing an exceptional job finding teammates in spots where they could be effective. What stood out even more was her growing leadership presence. Irving appears to be settling comfortably into that role, and the sky is the limit for her development. She'll be a key contributor for her Cromwell-Wright squad, which made a run in the 1A state tournament this past season.   Hazel Habben – 2028 wing, [program_tooltip program_id='713023' first='West' last='Central Wildcats'] 9th   AAU stat sheets don't always tell the full story, especially when they mostly track points. If that's your only measure, you'd miss the real impact Habben has on the game. She's long, athletic, and plays with a ton of passion. A dominant rebounder and elite shot blocker, she makes her presence felt on the defensive end every time she steps on the floor. What set her apart during the Spring Showdown was her accountability –when she maked a mistake or found herself out of position, she didn't shrug it off. She holds herself to a high standard and works to immediately make up for it. Once her offensive game catches up to everything else she brings to the table, the wing out of Benson High School will be a force to be reckoned with.   McKenzie Spading – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Gilreath   Spading was part of that talented crop of Park Center guard – alongside [player_tooltip player_id='914941' first='Briana' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='918682' first='Danasia' last='Anderson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs'] – who have all since gone their separate ways and are thriving. After a stint at Hopkins, Spading has now settled in at Osseo, and she's clearly found her rhythm. In Saturday's matchup against the Bobcats, Spading was dominant. No one could stay in front of her. Her go-to move –a n explosive right-to-left crossover – left defenders in her wake as she either finished with a smooth tear-drop floater or got all the way to the rim. Her ability to shoot off the bounce made her virtually un-guardable. Just as impressive on the defensive end, Spading played with relentless energy, pestering her opponents into turnovers and rushed decisions. It's clear she's been putting in the work, and now she's in a great spot on a team that allows her to fully showcase her abilities.   Lydia Gilbert – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Gilreath   The silky-smooth lefty had a strong showing at the Spring Showdown, averaging just over 14 points per game and consistently delivering when her team needed a bucket most. Gilbert moves exceptionally well without the ball, always seeming to be in the right spot whether it's catching a timely pass from a teammate or crashing the offensive glass for a momentum-shifting putback. Her pace of play is a joy to watch. She never lets the chaos of the game speed her up, staying calm and in control. On the defensive end, she moves her feet well and understands how to use angles to her advantage. With the Crimson graduating seven seniors, Gilbert will have a prime opportunity next high school season to step into a larger role and she looks more than ready for it.   Other players who performed well:   Paige Steffen – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='713023' first='West' last='Central Wildcats']   [player_tooltip player_id='991284' first='Sydney' last='Towne'] – 2028 guard, Southwest MN Fury   [player_tooltip player_id='1213551' first='Amelia' last='Kalstabakken'] – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='774653' first='Minnesota' last='Bobcats'] 2028 East   [player_tooltip player_id='1213351' first='Dakota' last='Johnson'] – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='774653' first='Minnesota' last='Bobcats'] East

AAU season is in full swing and we took some time to dive into the deep and talented 2028 class – plus, we even stumbled upon a gem from the 2029 class playing up a level. The future is bright, and the talent is real. Below are 10 players who caught our eye at the Spring Showdown with standout performances and undeniable potential.