2029s who raised their profile at the Meltdown

Entering the final home weekend of the AAU spring and summer season, we figured we had a pretty good handle on who belongs in the conversation for Minnesota's Freshmen 50 – the first ranking of the Class of 2029 coming up this fall. That was before we landed upon a fresh face from the Northland, who just happens to be a mobile 6-foot-3 post with a ton of upside. Read on to learn more about this likely top 25 prospect along with three other incoming freshmen who raised their profile at the Meltdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='1268792' first='Ruby' last='Zubich'] – 2029 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='779294' first='Northern' last='Lights']   At 6'3, Zubich already has the physical tools to be a future Division 1 post, but it's her blend of athleticism, mobility, and work ethic that sets her apart. In a tough Meltdown matchup against highly-ranked 2028 post Kesia Boeshans of North Dakota, Zubich battled with poise and more than held her own – an early sign of her competitive ceiling. The Duluth East freshman-to-be moves fluidly for her size, shows solid range out to 15 feet, and is actively expanding her game towards the arc. Ruby has great hands, a soft touch, and understands how to position herself inside and out. Defensively, she can be a force, with enough length and mobility to frustrate opponents in a variety of ways. Her unselfishness and A+ attitude make her a favorite among teammates. By the way, Ruby is a cousin of North Carolina sophomore Jordan Zubich of Mountain Iron-Buhl. That's a pretty good role model to emulate!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/07/Sophia-Karlgaard-crop-1802x1183-1752640129.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1273515" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1273504' first='Sophia' last='Karlgaard'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] 14U Blue   Karlgaard is the kind of player every coach loves – tough, scrappy, and relentlessly competitive. At about 5'9 with quality athleticism, the incoming freshman from Detroit Lakes brings a blue-collar mentality and superior effort every time she takes the court. After spending last summer on West Central's second team in the age group, Sophia forced her way onto the top squad with her excellent performance and hasn't looked back. She's not flashy, but she's highly effective – an excellent positional rebounder with the quickness needed to close out shooters and the ability to score off the catch. Her handles and driving ability continue to improve, and she's been working on quickening her shot release, as well. Defensively, Sophia is a pesky presence who makes life miserable for opposing ball handlers. Karlgaard's confidence is growing, and her upside is significant. A true glue player.   [player_tooltip player_id='1273648' first='Harper' last='Coleman'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Southeast   Coleman effectively employs length, athleticism, and poise beyond her years. Averaging 9 points per game at Mill City – including a 16-point outburst against Martin Brothers of Iowa – she continues to make her mark. At 5'7 with an impressive wingspan, Coleman plays bigger than her frame and is a disruptive on-ball defender who often triggers fast-break chances with her quick hands. She's reliable in clutch situations, and is trusted by Coach Russ Speer to deliver when it matters most. Whether it's a steal, a timely bucket, or simply locking down an opposing scorer, Harper rises to the moment. She's the younger sister of Owatonna standout [player_tooltip player_id='665720' first='Jersey' last='Coleman'] (a top 25 prospect in the Class of 2027) and shares that same mental toughness – never backing down when the game gets tense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1273502' first='Ashlyn' last='Steinke'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Southeast   Steinke is an all-out competitor with an engine that doesn't quit. A speedy, aggressive guard, the rising freshman from Byron relishes on-ball defense and plays every inch of the floor like it's hers to own. Her quick feet and long arms make Ashlyn a tough match-up for opposing guards, and she's always the first one on the floor for loose balls. Offensively, she can slash to the rim or knock down shots from a variety of distances. Ashlyn brings a balance of calm confidence and all-business intensity – loose and laughing in the pre-game, then instantly locked in once the game begins. Her ability to modulate her speed, be shifty, and keep defenders off balance is developing fast. Steinke is only going to get better.

Entering the final home weekend of the AAU spring and summer season, we figured we had a pretty good handle on who belongs in the conversation for Minnesota's Freshmen 50 – the first ranking of the Class of 2029 coming up this fall. That was before we landed upon a fresh face from the Northland, who just happens to be a mobile 6-foot-3 post with a ton of upside. Read on to learn more about this likely top 25 prospect along with three other incoming freshmen who raised their profile at the Meltdown.