Tony’s Takes: Breakdown Premier Fall League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Breakdown Premier Fall League at Minnetonka High School on Sunday delivered a showcase of rising stars, gritty veterans, and plenty of moments that turned heads. Take a ride with me as I bring you a handful of players who impressed us during this unofficial opening ceremony for the 2025 fall season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897059"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc6a7a0a011"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lightning-quick Ritchie was all over the court for Blaine during the Breakdown Premier. She attacked the rim with relentless energy, finishing with a variety of crafty moves. When defenders backed off, she confidently knocked down jumpers from both midrange and beyond the arc. Defensively, she was just as disruptive – using her quick feet and instincts to create havoc and spark turnovers. With her confidence growing, we expect her role to increase twofold this upcoming season as she embraces more responsibility and continues to impact the game on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764176"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc6a7a0a075"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'2", Hinzmann was <em>all gas, no brakes</em> during the second weekend of the Breakdown. She consistently punished opponents in the post, taking advantage of every opportunity to score inside. Her versatility was on full display as she put the ball on the floor, navigated traffic with control, and embraced contact on her way to the basket. On the defensive end, Hinzmann's pride showed. She dropped into a strong stance when guarding on the perimeter, using her length and wingspan to make life difficult for opponents attempting to get around her. With her interior dominance, perimeter agility, and relentless motor, Hinzmann looks poised for a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["589275"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc6a7a0a0c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson will be a real problem for defenses this upcoming season. After staying the course and playing behind four Division I commits, her time has arrived. On Sunday, the Augustana commit showcased her inside-out versatility knocking down shot after shot from beyond the arc while taking smaller defenders into the paint and punishing them consistently. She controlled the glass on the defensive end, snatching rebounds and pushing the ball up the floor, often making the right decision in transition. Anderson's patience and persistence have paid off, and now she's poised to take the keys and lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1321745,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kaliyah Taugasolo-Wilks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"East Ridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc6a7a0a16b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've watched Taugasolo-Wilks (pictured above) steadily grow her game from being fueled by pure energy and defense to developing into a dynamic, two-way threat. On Sunday the combo guard out of East Ridge showcased great pace – pushing the ball when the opportunity was there, or making the smart decision to pass ahead. She consistently attacked the defense, applying pressure on every possession. It's clear Kaliyah has been putting in the work both on the court and in the weight room. Defensively, she was locked in – moving her feet, cutting off drives, and using her strong frame to hold her ground and bounce opponents off their spots. Offensively, her confidence and decision-making continue to grow, making her a real problem for defenses. I'm looking forward to a very special senior season from this rising guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players who turned heads on Sunday were [player_tooltip player_id='471360' first='Mya' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='644898' first='Ally' last='Moore']. The dynamic duo from Orono continues to thrive off one another, and the Breakdown was no exception – they got wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While East Ridge was without their D1 recruit [player_tooltip player_id='351665' first='Vienna' last='Murray'], they still looked like a team that could be a real problem. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='502535' first='Taylor' last='Klauer'] led the charge, consistently getting into the paint and finding shooters like [player_tooltip player_id='764197' first='Hailey' last='Sicard'], who was locked in from deepm knocking down three in a row during one stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, the aforementioned Taugasolo-Wilks, along with [player_tooltip player_id='1133948' first='Brooke' last='Estochen'], have made tremendous strides this offseason and look more than ready for the bright lights ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomer of the Day</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That distinct honor goes to 8th grader <strong>Kali Schultz</strong>. The 5'4” guard out of Delano is something special. She handles the ball like it's on a string, slicing into the teeth of the defense at will. In transition, she might be the fastest player I've seen with the ball in her hands in recent memory — and that's no exaggeration.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schultz also showed her shooting touch from the outside and delivered sharp, accurate passes. Her ability to feed the post – a skill that has become something of a lost art – was a real highlight. Coach Scott Antl truly has a gem on his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->