Fall Exclusive Week 2: Newcomers, stock risers abound

This past Saturday we were back at Kennedy High School in Bloomington for Week 2 of Jr. All-Star's annual Fall Exclusive. With so much talent coming from around the state to show off their skills, we decided to highlight 12 players who made an impact for their teams this week.   Just like last week, the event featured eight teams divided into two divisions – middle school and high school. The younger group consists of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Kansas State Wildcats, UConn Huskies, and Minnesota Gophers. The older group's teams are the Las Vegas Aces, Golden State Valkyries, New York Liberty, and Minnesota Lynx. Prep Girls Hoops scout Tony Ragulen is coaching at the event, and will also be providing coverage on his teams, the Huskies and Valkyries. I will be covering the rest of the teams.   MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION   [player_tooltip player_id='1357327' first='Azariah' last='Bailey'] – Hopkins North Middle School 2031 (Kansas State Wildcats)   This wiry, 5'10 forward excelled on Saturday morning, using her natural athleticism and consistent work ethic to make a big impact for the K-State squad. Bailey is incredibly long, light on her feet, bouncy, and quick in the open court. She was assertive with the ball and aggressive on the glass in Week 2 of the Fall Exclusive. Azariah's skillset is raw right now, but there is a tremendous amount of potential there.   Harper Wolf – Lake Middle School 2031 (Kansas State Wildcats)   Wolf impressed in Week 2 with her tenacity, tight handle on the basketball, and ability to space the floor. The 5'3 guard was highly effective on the defensive end, using active hands and her quick lateral movement to disrupt passes, force turnovers, and nab steals. Harper is a vocal communicator on both ends of the floor, sees the floor well, and can make well timed passes on a dime.    Lauren Wendel – Prior Lake 2030 (South Carolina Gamecocks)   After finishing third in scoring in the division this week, there's no doubt that Wendel can shoot the three-ball. With a quick release on her shot, the 5'3 guard doesn't need much time or space to get a good look. When the shot isn't there, Lauren uses her tight handle and explosive first step to get to the rim. On the other end of the floor, the Prior Lake 8th grader is a high-energy, active defender.    Kora Grimm – St. Michael-Albertville 2030 (South Carolina Gamecocks)   Grimm's fundamentally sound game made a big impact for the Gamecocks on Saturday. The 5'8 forward does it all – she talks on defense, creates off-ball movement, sets solid screens, and crashes the glass. Kora excels as a passer, both in the half-court offense, and in transition. When the ball is in her hands, the St. Michael-Albertville 8th grader finishes well around the rim and can knock down shots from deep.    [player_tooltip player_id='1239705' first='Brielle' last='Streed'] – Alexandria 2030 (Minnesota Gophers)   Streed brought the offensive firepower for the Gophers in Week 2. Whether hitting step-back threes or attacking the basket and finishing through contact, this 5'8 guard can score at every level. She currently leads all scorers in the division with 67 points through two weeks of play. On the other end of the floor, Brielle is a vocal defender who uses her strength and physicality to create stops and force turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1244270' first='Ellie' last='Berg'] – Brainerd 2030 (Minnesota Gophers)   Berg showed off her versatility in Week 2 of the Fall Exclusive, impacting the game in a variety of ways for the Gophers. The 5'6 guard brought the energy on defense, was active on the boards, and pushed the pace in transition. On offense Ellie used her simple, but effective handle to blow by her defender and score at the rim. The Brainerd 8th grader plays with an endless motor and an infectious positive attitude.     HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION   [player_tooltip player_id='992383' first='Allie' last='Lima'] – Holy Angels 2028 (New York Liberty)   Playing with her usual calm demeanor, Lima (pictured above) brought a major offensive spark for the Liberty in Week 2. The lanky 5'10 guard is a confident ball handler who can weave through traffic to finish at the rim in a variety of ways, as well as a steady three-point shooter. Allie's consistent effort on defense allowed her to pick up steals and grab loose balls, creating extra possessions for her team.   Claire Fredrickson – Waconia 2029 (New York Liberty)   Fredrickson brought the same high energy play she showed in Week 1 into Week 2. The 5'5 guard was aggressive on defense, using her quick lateral movement and active hand to create pressure on the perimeter. On the other end, Claire attacked the basket with a full head of steam, drawing several fouls in the process. The Waconia freshman shares the ball well, is a scoring threat from the outside, and never quits on a play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1233616' first='Felicity' last='Porter'] – Eagan 2029 (Las Vegas Aces)   This quick, bouncy, and light-on-her-feet guard has made a consistent impact for the Aces over the past two weeks. Porter's tenacity and athleticism allow her to blow by defenders, score in transition with ease, and force turnovers on defense. The 5'8 guard stays ready on each possession, turning her court awareness into extra points for her team. Felicity's game is incredibly versatile and her hustle is rarely outmatched.   [player_tooltip player_id='1314500' first='Wynne' last='Birk'] – Eagan 2029 (Las Vegas Aces)   Birk was highly effective for the Aces in Week 2. She brought her usual calm, focused presence to both ends of the floor, settling the game down when things got hectic. The 5'9 lanky guard displayed her fluid athleticism, as well as her smooth, textbook shot from beyond the arc. Wynne was highly active on the offensive glass, creating extra scoring opportunities for her team. On the defensive end she used her length to block shots and disrupt passing lanes.    [player_tooltip player_id='901096' first='Katherine' last='Whited'] – Edina 2028 (Minnesota Lynx)   Whited was highly effective both as a scorer and as a playmaker on Saturday. The 5'5 point guard has a strong handle on the ball, and changes pace with ease, allowing her to dupe defenders and get to the rim. When she's not looking for her own shot, Katherine uses her court vision and well timed passes to create open looks for her teammates. The Edina sophomore showed plenty of hustle as well, wrestling for any loose ball that came near.    [player_tooltip player_id='1265164' first='Rose' last='Keating'] – Minneapolis Southwest 2029 (Minnesota Lynx)   Keating plays the game with a level of toughness and physicality that is nearly impossible to match. The 5'6 point guard has a strong, powerful build and plays the game with tons of energy. She uses her strength to her advantage, particularly on the defensive end, bumping opponents off their line on the way to the rim. Rose also has impressive capabilities on the boards, particularly for a guard her height.

This past Saturday we were back at Kennedy High School in Bloomington for Week 2 of Jr. All-Star's annual Fall Exclusive. With so much talent coming from around the state to show off their skills, we decided to highlight 12 players who made an impact for their teams this week.