Fall Exclusive Recap: Future Stars, Present Impact Pt. 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final weekend of the Fall Exclusive presented by Jr All-Star wrapped up just in time for the start of the high school season. Players used that last tune-up to polish their games and lock in before the lights come on for real. Over the past few weeks, you could see confidence growing – players leading louder, competing harder, and showing how much work they've put in since summer. Now, it's time to take everything from the fall and carry it into the season. The preparation is done, and the stage is set. Minnesota girls basketball is officially back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennett Keir – guard 2029, Totino Grace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keir is the kind of player every team needs – steady, smart, and unselfish. She handles the ball with control and makes good decisions, always looking to make the right play. While she could look for her own shot a little more often, her ability to read the floor and keep the offense flowing makes her a valuable piece. Off the ball, she moves with purpose, creating scoring chances for herself and teammates. Defensively, she competes hard and doesn't shy away from physical play. Keir's effort, attitude, and team-first mindset make her a dependable contributor in any lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1222603' first='Mia' last='McFadden'] <strong><strong>– </strong>guard 2029, Maranatha Christian Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guard out of Maranatha keeps getting better every time she steps on the court. McFadden (pictured above, left) is coachable, plays with joy, and never seems rattled by pressure. When she makes a mistake, she learns from it and bounces right back with more effort. Her biggest weapon is her shooting – a quick release paired with smooth, textbook form that makes her a threat from deep. As she continues to grow, playing with a little more pace and tightening her handle will take her game to another level. With her attitude and work ethic, there's no doubt she's on the right path.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Necole Watt <strong>– </strong>guard 2029, Proctor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watts (pictured above, right) may be undersized, but you'd never know it from the way she competes. She plays with heart, toughness, and a voice that every coach loves to hear. Throughout the Fall Exclusive, she attacked the lane with confidence, finishing strong through contact and showing a soft touch around the rim. From beyond the arc, she shot it with belief, keeping defenders honest. On defense, she refused to back down, battling in the post and making every possession a challenge. Watts is the kind of player who gives everything she's got – the effort, attitude, and energy that lift everyone around her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Olivia Schommer <strong>– </strong>guard 2027, Farmington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With plenty of firepower on the Golden State Valkyries roster during the Fall Exclusive, players had to make the most of their moments <strong>– </strong>and Schommer did just that. When her number was called, she stepped in and made an impact right away. She played within the system but still found ways to create, battling for offensive rebounds and attacking the basket with purpose. Her soft touch around the rim and ability to knock down shots gave her team a lift. Schommer's energy and smile never faded, and her effort played a big part in the Valkyries' perfect 6-0 run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zoe Petite <strong>– </strong>guard 2029, St. Michael-Albertville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's easy for younger players to defer to older, more aggressive teammates, especially in a setting like the Fall Exclusive where most of the high school division was made up of freshmen. For Petite, it took a few games to settle in, but once she found her rhythm, her talent spoke for itself. She showed a smooth shooting stroke with beautiful arc, knocking down shots from deep and competing hard on defense. Her confidence grew each game, and her coachability stood out just as much as her jumper. Petite's determination and work ethic suggest she's only going to keep climbing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->