Outstate Top 10s: The best of West Central Minnesota

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When we began scouting, ranking, and writing about the best girls basketball prospects in Minnesota a decade ago, it quickly became clear that there was a deep well of untapped talent beyond the Twin Cities metro area. That potential simply hadn't received the recognition it deserved. We set out to change that – first under the old <em>Northstar Girls Hoops</em> banner, and now with Prep Girls Hoops. Our Outstate Top 10s series is part of that mission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we highlighted the best of ‘Up North,' led by [player_tooltip player_id='433933' first='Chloe' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein'], [player_tooltip player_id='665719' first='Addison' last='Bjorklund'], and [player_tooltip player_id='502561' first='Marta' last='Forsline']. Today, in the second of four regional installments, we focus on West Central Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For these rankings, we're defining West Central as the area south of U.S. Highway 2, west of Highway 65, and north of Highway 212 with one outlier noted below. The region stretches from Braham on the eastern edge to Moorhead along the North Dakota border. Over time, Alexandria has emerged as the basketball epicenter of the region. The Runestone City is also the home of [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'], one of the most talent-rich AAU clubs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with the top player from that club as we count down the Top 10 prospects in the West Central region:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='904190' first='Malin' last='Youngberg'] <strong>– 2028 guard, Little Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now ranked #6 in Minnesota's Class of 2028, the 6-foot sophomore-to-be had a phenomenal summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']. Turning heads everywhere she went, Youngberg displayed her versatile, dynamic game week after week. Her defense was remarkable! By summer's end, Youngberg had a growing list of Division I offers and was named Prep Girls Hoops 2028 Breakout Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='653853' first='Peyton' last='Hoffman'] <strong>– 2028 forward, Climax-Fisher</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffman may have missed time due to injury, but she's far from forgotten. One of the most physically gifted players in Minnesota, the powerful forward was a dominant force in Class A as a middle schooler. Now a sophomore and ranked 11th in her class, Peyton can punish defenders in the paint, stretch the floor with her shooting, and handle the ball with control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='565313' first='Elsa' last='Retzlaff'] <strong>– 2028 guard, Hillcrest Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College coaches came in droves to see Youngberg, but many left buzzing about Retzlaff. A Top 20 prospect in the Class of 2028, the [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] guard is strong, skilled, and quietly dominant. She scores with efficiency, plays with toughness, and brings a level of competitive maturity that separates her from the pack. She's a D1-bound winner, through and through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='478362' first='Morgan' last='Korf'] <strong>– 2026 guard, Pelican Rapids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing alongside elite talent like [player_tooltip player_id='252381' first='Maddyn' last='Greenway'], [player_tooltip player_id='344333' first='Cail' last='Jahnke'], and [player_tooltip player_id='471360' first='Mya' last='Moore'] on the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL squad, it can be easy to get overlooked. Korf deserves some shine, too, because she is a high-IQ floor general with poise, range, and energy. A strong shooter and fierce defender, Morgan offers veteran leadership and a coach-on-the-floor mindset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='894002' first='Jayden' last='Sonnenberg'] <strong>– 2026 guard, Frazee (North Dakota)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just 18 months ago, Sonnenberg was flying under nearly everyone's radar. Today, she's a Division I commit. This week the athletic guard from Inspired Athletics pledged to North Dakota of the Summit League after a breakout season that pushed her into the state's top 30 seniors. With size, skill, speed, and a silky jump shot, Sonnenberg has turned potential into prominence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1233136' first='Korbin' last='Tanner'] <strong>– 2029 forward, New London-Spicer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tanner burst onto the scene this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'], earning recognition as a Prep Girls Hoops Defensive Standout and Most Valuable Duos Honorable Mention. At 6'2, she moves well, competes hard, and possesses physical traits that simply can't be taught. With legitimate D1 potential, Tanner's future is bright, bright, bright.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1175103' first='Morgan' last='Rysdam'] <strong>– 2027 guard, Braham</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rysdam was a revelation in her first year of AAU, earning Prep Girls Hoops Newcomer of the Year honors and soaring to #35 in the 2027 prospect &nbsp;rankings. The explosive, high-motor guard from [program_tooltip program_id='756457' first='Opportunity' last='Basketball'] drew attention from the jump. The only debate here is whether Braham should be considered part of the North or West Central region. Either way, Morgan makes the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] <strong>– 2030 guard, Hillcrest Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How does an incoming 8th grader crack a Top 10 list filled with D1-level varsity veterans? If you've seen Elin play with [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] 2030, you already know. After averaging nearly 15 points and 5 rebounds per game last winter, she tore through the AAU circuit with skill, poise, and energy beyond her years. A future star in the making, Elin's potential is significant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='502604' first='Kaia' last='Anderson'] <strong>– 2026 guard, Perham (SW Minnesota State)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It feels like we've been writing about Anderson forever. That's a testament to her consistency and staying power. The sharpshooting guard from [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] has added new dimensions to her game year after year and has a D2 scholarship to Southwest Minnesota State as a result. Ranked in the top 40, she'll be fun to watch for one more varsity season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='897050' first='Annabelle' last='Gothmann'] <strong>– 2028 guard, Milaca</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quickness. Motor. Physicality. Competitive fire. Gothmann has it all – and she brings it to every game. A top-25 sophomore and multi-sport athlete (yes, she plays varsity football at Milaca), Annabelle leaves her mark on every game with her relentless approach to the competition. The [program_tooltip program_id='767539' first='Minnesota' last='Comets'] guard has all the intangibles that set her apart from others in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502537' first='Kate' last='Hennessy'] – 2026 forward, Alexandria</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='478375' first='Kadence' last='Pierce'] – 2026 guard, Ogilvie</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502543' first='Lauren' last='Beyer'] – 2026 guard, Alexandria</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='947971' first='Elly' last='Herickhoff'] – 2026 forward, Sauk Centre</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='675971' first='Trinity' last='Baker'] – 2027 guard, Underwood</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='990284' first='Dreah' last='Christiansen'] – 2028 guard, Menahga</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='939749' first='Nadia' last='Adedokun'] – 2028 forward, Moorhead</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='834489' first='Paige' last='Determan'] – 2028 guard, Sauk Centre</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1090111' first='Riley' last='Beyer'] – 2029 guard, Alexandria</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='994012' first='Taylor' last='Nesvig'] – 2029 guard, Hancock</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1002988' first='Chloe' last='Reedy'] – 2029 guard, Royalton</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->