Who were the most improved players this weekend?

Their club name might make you think of frigid temperatures and icy streets, but this past weekend the 2027 version of the [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze'] were the hottest team at the Spring Showdown. Coach Nate Lindholm's group from the northern reaches of the Twin Cities rolled through a slate of opponents to win its division while extending their season-opening undefeated streak to eight games. This weekend they triumphed by an average margin of more than 30 points per game.   We watched the Freeze late Friday night and first thing Saturday morning primarily to check on in the progress of top 75 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='764180' first='Anna' last='Smelser'] of Robinsdale Armstrong, who is coming off an excellent high school season. What we discovered was that two of her teammates have also enhanced their games in dramatic fashion. That's why there are three Freeze athletes among the five players selected here as the most improved performers we saw this weekend.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/Anna-Smelser.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-764611" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='764180' first='Anna' last='Smelser'] – 2027 guard, Robbinsdale Armstrong   This winter was a breakthrough campaign for Anna, who is a multidimensional leader with a motor that runs hot from start to finish. We talk often about basketball IQ. It's really important. While IQ can be learned and enhanced, players who understand the game at an innate level can be special. That's Anna. She was electric this weekend, running the show for the Freeze from the point, pulling off one big play after another, leading her team by example, and making everyone around her better. Her long-bomb passes are a thing of beauty, even if they give coaches gray hairs! She always manages to crack a smile on the floor, too, and made the officials do the same several times when we watched. Smelser averaged over 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for Armstrong this winter. She is about to embark on some serious skill training over the summer months and is willing to do whatever it takes to maximize her God-given abilities. I'll take that kind of player on my team eight days a week.   [player_tooltip player_id='999549' first='Anna' last='Smolich'] – 2027 forward, Spring Lake Park   Going into the weekend we kind of knew what to expect from Smelser. We had no idea that the other Anna on the Freeze was about to knock our socks off, as well. We've watched Smolich (pictured above, right) in the past, including last summer with the top Crossfire North team. We knew she had a good high school season, leading Spring Lake Park in scoring (11.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 per game). And we knew she had grown to 5'10. What we didn't know is how well all of that had come together to turn Smolich into a force for the Freeze.   The three-sport athlete has tons of length and nice athleticism. She runs the floor really well. Her finishing around the basket has improved as has the consistency of her shooting, and Smolich has incorporated several different moves in the low post. Being a key varsity player has matured her game in every way. The biggest difference, however, is her confidence. “She has a motor that just doesn't stop,” said Coach Lindholm. “She is a gazelle in transition, has real quickness in the lane and a knack for scoring in traffic. I don't think she has any idea how good she is and can be.”   [player_tooltip player_id='944075' first='Maiya' last='Slusarczyk'] – 2027 guard, St. Michael-Albertville   The Anna and Anna Show wasn't the only attraction on offer from the Freeze this weekend. Slusarczyk was on fire herself, reaching double figures in three games at the Spring Showdown, including a high of 17 against the [program_tooltip program_id='779294' first='Northern' last='Lights']. From the moment she stepped on the court it was evident that Maiya (pictured above, left) has also boosted her confidence a ton. She played some varsity at STMA this winter – the Knights lineup is a tough one to crack – and has put in the work to improve her skillset substantially.   Maiya's shooting is much better now and she seems to have more tools at her disposal on offense. She is scoring efficiently and consistently. Where Slusarczyk really excels, though, is on the defensive side of the equation where she uses her size and length and aggressiveness to great effect. “One of my favorite things is to watch her in practice when she is on defense,” said Coach Lindholm. “She gets such a kick out of making things difficult for her teammates and will celebrate each deflection, block and steal. I can feel when she isn't on the court for us, She is a difference-maker every minute she is out there.”   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/Claire-and-Sydney-crop-3916x2571-1746062413.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1240702" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='991284' first='Sydney' last='Towne'] – 2028 guard, Marshall   Sydney made a big splash at the Prep Girls Hoops Freshmen Showcase last fall, impressing our scouts with her athleticism, skillset and infectious level of energy. Sydney (photo, right) was a ball of fire that day in September. Saturday was the first time we watched her live in the past six months and let me tell you she was all of that and more. The Marshall guard stood out immediately as the best, most-skilled, most energetic athlete on the floor. She took charge of the game and would not let go, even when things got tense.   When Sydney wasn't leading on the court she was the loudest, most positive player on the bench. And she put the ball in the basket. Towne had a remarkable 86 points in the tournament, including 23 against the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] and 20 in a two-point win over [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']. There are so many adjectives you can use to describe the freshman guard: Intelligent. Aggressive. Versatile. Fundamental. Great communicator. Exceptional teammate. Coachable. Tough. The list goes on. This is a prospect with a very bright future.   We also need to mention one of Townes' teammates – 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='854240' first='Claire' last='Stratmoen'] of Dawson-Boyd. In her own backyard, the 5'3 point guard (photo, left) is the Blackjacks leader. She led her team in scoring at over 11 points per game and is more than capable of running the show on offense. With the Fury, she has to play off the ball more because Townes is the obvious alpha dog, but Stratmoen was very effective in that role, too. She's crafty and skillful and makes things happen for her team. For a first look, let's just say we are intrigued.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/Jenna-Christopherson-crop-3916x2571-1746062667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1240713" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='662406' first='Jenna' last='Christopherson'] – 2027 guard [program_tooltip program_id='712352' first='Air' last='Minnesota']   Jenna first came into our consciousness as an 8th grader when she played a huge role for Hayfield at the high school state tournament. She came off the bench and nailed three triples from deep in the Vikings first-round win in overtime. It was quite the debut. Since then Christopherson has established herself as a solid next-level prospect, a player with ice in her veins and the ability to drop bombs on a consistent basis. She is a skilled competitor who can handle the ball, establish the tempo and lead her team by example. We love Jenna's calm demeanor on the court. As a mature, seasoned performer, she never seems to get flustered on the floor now, at least not when we've watched. She averaged over 13 points per game this winter with a season-high of 30 in a win at Southland. Buoyed by six triples, Jenna had 23 points in a win over Bobcats 2027 Elite on Saturday. Defensively she was strong and aggressive and focused.

Their club name might make you think of frigid temperatures and icy streets, but this past weekend the 2027 version of the Minnesota Freeze were the hottest team at the Spring Showdown. Coach Nate Lindholm's group from the northern reaches of the Twin Cities rolled through a slate of opponents to win its division while extending their season-opening undefeated streak to eight games. This weekend they triumphed by an average margin of more than 30 points per game.