Youngsters we liked at the Midwest Kickoff Classic

There was plenty of young talent to see at the Midwest Kickoff Classic this weekend, ranging from players we watched for the first time, to those we caught up with after several months. After spending all day Saturday at Bloomington Jefferson, we've rounded up a handful of young players who caught our attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='1090085' first='Georgia' last='Watkins'] & [player_tooltip player_id='1090086' first='Shea' last='Watkins'] – 2030 Guards, Minnehaha Academy   At this point, word has likely gotten around about the Watkins twins from Minnehaha Academy. But if you haven't heard of them yet, let us introduce you. Shea is the taller of the two, standing at 5'11, Georgia at 5'9. Both are incredibly long, fluid, and athletic. Both are very skilled for their age. We were able to see the Redhawks' 7th graders a bit here and there throughout the high school season, but Saturday was our first opportunity to watch them at length. Shea (pictured above, left) showed off her ability to get downhill and score at the rim with ease. She has a keen sense of body control that allows her to weave through defenders, and even shift midair. Georgia (pictured above, right) was explosive on both ends of the floor, whether taking her defender off the bounce or jumping into passing lanes to grab a steal, which we saw her do on three consecutive possessions. She also has a smooth, textbook shot and a pretty elbow pull-up jumper. It's a bit early to say what the future holds for the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] duo, but one thing we know is that the ceiling is sky high for each of them.   [player_tooltip player_id='1094023' first='Alli' last='Reiner'] – 2029 Forward, [program_tooltip program_id='712656' first='Mandan' last=''], North Dakota   This [program_tooltip program_id='715344' first='Inspired' last='Athletics'] forward's game is simply bursting with potential. A 6 feet tall with big shoulders and a muscular frame, Reiner is already built like a college athlete. At this age that is a tremendous physical asset that gives her a distinct advantage over her competitors. That story played out on Saturday in a matchup between Alli's team and [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] 2028 Wright. It seemed that every time the 8th grader caught the ball down low she was going to score, whether by putting the ball in the hoop or earning a trip to the free throw line; she finished with a game-high 18 points. While her game is still pretty green, Reiner has strong natural instincts rebounding, shot blocking, and finishing at the rim – even through heavy contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1055102' first='Farrah' last='Thomas'] – 2029 Guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl   Making her official debut with the [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] on the 2029 Blue team this past weekend, Thomas left a distinct impression on our scouts after just a few short minutes. First thing we noticed: Farrah has grown quite a bit since we last saw her play. Not only has she gotten taller (she now stands at 5-foot-9) but stronger as well. Next thing that stood out was her motor. The Mountain Iron-Buhl 8th grader brought non-stop hustle and tons of defensive energy, making her a great fit for the Fury squad. Other items of note were her skilled ball handling, keen willingness to make the extra pass, and ability to score at multiple levels. While there are more eyes on her than ever before, Farrah looks poised to step into the limelight this summer.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/CallieLynch-crop-3226x2118-1744838136.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1234354" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='991212' first='Callie' last='Lynch'] – 2028 Guard, Northfield   We saw a tremendous leap in the Northfield guard's play this winter, the result of countless hours in the gym. The evidence of Lynch's efforts was also found on Saturday at the Kickoff Classic. The 5'3 freshman has become more confident and vocally assertive on the floor, both key skills for a smaller point guard. Her shot selection and passing have also improved greatly. While Callie (pictured above) has long been a skilled ball handler, these days the ball looks to be stuck to her hand by a string. Her team, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2028 S40, provided one of the most exciting games of the weekend, earning themselves a comeback win over [program_tooltip program_id='712697' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] 2028 Elite. Lynch's leadership, playmaking, and crafty drives to the basket were a major key to her team's success.    [player_tooltip player_id='939000' first='Kiera' last='Willis'] – 2029 Guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's   Also instrumental in the Fury's win was Willis, an 8th grader playing up a year for the S40 team. The 5'8 guard provided 8 key points down the stretch, including the two game-winning free throws. Kiera created most of her offense at the rim, either attacking the basket or using her length and immense vertical to grab offensive boards and cash in on the putback. The Benilde-St. Margaret's guard brings hustle, skill, and finesse every time she steps on the court. Same for her grit and toughness. Even after taking a spill and rolling her ankle in the first half against Crossfire, she was eager to get back in the game and step up when her team needed her down the stretch. Another trait of Kiera's game that we saw this weekend; her ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations. For many players that is something they are never able to master, but for those like Willis it seems to be second nature.    ONE MORE YOUNGSTER TO WATCH   Lamairah Wright – 2031 Guard, Minnetonka   The Midwest Kickoff Classic gave us the chance to catch a glimpse of [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] 2029 Wright, as well as the youngest of the very talented Wright sisters. Much like Lanelle and Lariah, Lamairah is a skilled ball handler and plays with a strong basketball IQ. The 6th grader also brings a high level of edge and toughness to the court. She defends the ball well and can score at multiple levels. While it's still early in the AAU season, we will be sure to keep an eye on this up-and-coming prospect.

There was plenty of young talent to see at the Midwest Kickoff Classic this weekend, ranging from players we watched for the first time, to those we caught up with after several months. After spending all day Saturday at Bloomington Jefferson, we've rounded up a handful of young players who caught our attention.