Tip Off Recap: Class A stars under the Friday night lights

Justin Hegna is an idea man. The proprietor of Breakdown USA has never been shy about trying new formats or creative twists if there's any chance it'll make for a better basketball event. So when Hegna floated the idea of “Friday Night Lights” launch to the annual Tip Off Classic just for Class A schools, it sounded like fun. It turned out to be a home run.   What could be better than a packed house, a raucous gym, and four small-school squads going all-out under the lights? Both games – Mountain Iron-Buhl vs. Hillcrest Lutheran and Mayer Lutheran vs. Braham – delivered exactly that. The gym was large enough to hold the crowd but tight enough to make it loud. The energy was electric.   The games were fast, physical, and occasionally chaotic – about what you'd expect on opening night. And amid the flurry, several players stood tall. Here are some small-school standouts who made big-time impressions at the Tip Off.   MVP PERFORMANCES   [player_tooltip player_id='991034' first='Izzy' last='Wiita'] – 2028 guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl   From the opening tip, MIB's primary defensive goal was clear: contain Hillcrest standout [player_tooltip player_id='565313' first='Elsa' last='Retzlaff'], a top-20 sophomore with Division I offers. That responsibility largely fell on Wiita – and she more than delivered. Retzlaff was held scoreless in the first half, setting the tone for MIB's trademark defensive intensity.   The Rangers started a bit slow – understandable in the first game of the season – but soon ratcheted up their pressure, forcing turnovers and converting in transition. Wiita turned defense into offense, finishing with 19 points and earning MVP honors as MIB rolled to a 62–45 win. The 5'8" guard, ranked in the Class of 2028 top 50, showed why she's a cornerstone for the Rangers' next run.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/Morgan-Rysdam_Braham-crop-3301x2168-1763934231.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1417212" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1175103' first='Morgan' last='Rysdam'] – 2027 guard, Braham   An explosive athlete who burst onto the scene this summer in her first year of AAU, Rysdam brought that same spark to the high school stage this weekend. Carrying a heavy load for Braham, the 5'9 junior delivered in a big way Friday night. Many in attendance were seeing her live for the first time – and left impressed.   Rysdam made several key plays down the stretch in a back-and-forth battle with Mayer Lutheran, forcing turnovers, winning loose balls, and finishing through contact. She tallied 14 points in Braham's win. Saturday was tougher, as Braham fell 51–39 to Hillcrest Lutheran, struggling to generate offense against a much sharper Comets squad. No Bomber reached double figures, but Friday night's showing from Rysdam left no doubt about her ceiling.   [player_tooltip player_id='659121' first='Anna' last='Neyens'] – 2027 guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl   The top-30 junior hit two clutch threes late in MIB's Friday win over Hillcrest, then took center stage on Saturday. Energetic and fearless from start to finish, Neyens went 5-for-12 from deep and finished with 19 points in a 62–45 victory over Mayer Lutheran. She was joined by [player_tooltip player_id='991034' first='Izzy' last='Wiita'] (14 points) and sisters [player_tooltip player_id='560398' first='Aniyah' last='Thomas'] (Wisconsin-Superior) and [player_tooltip player_id='1265103' first='Farrah' last='Thomas'] with 9 points apiece, as MIB put together a strong weekend sweep. Neyens' pace, athleticism, and composure make her a quality scholarship-level prospect who continues to deliver.   CLUTCH PERFORMERS   [player_tooltip player_id='1048125' first='Clara' last='Keaveny'] – 2026 guard, Mayer Lutheran   The Keaveny twins have been fixtures at the Class A state tournament in both volleyball and basketball. Although volleyball is their primary sport – both are committed to St. Cloud State – their basketball talent remains undeniable. If they'd pursued hoops in college, both would project as top-75 prospects well-suited for D2 in our opinion.   On Friday, Clara reminded everyone how impactful she can be. Despite not picking up a basketball for six months, she used her 5'10" frame, strength, and instincts to create scoring chances and make life difficult for Braham's defenders. With the game on the line, she took the final shot – a well-executed three that hit front iron as time expired. Last year Clara averaged 20 points, six rebounds, six assists, and five steals per game en route to All-State honors.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/726-Hallie-Hunter.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-764598" /></figure>   OTHERS WHO STOOD OUT   [player_tooltip player_id='764198' first='Hallie' last='Hunter'] – 2027 forward, Mayer Lutheran   Now listed at 6'1, Hunter seems to be everywhere all at once. Pictured above, she is effective both inside and on the perimeter, gets to the rim with ease, and uses her length extremely well on defense. We've seen it with the [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] in AAU, and she showed it again this weekend. Hunter averaged 11 points and six rebounds a year ago, and she picked up right where she left off by scoring 14 on Friday and 12 more Saturday. She's due for a bump in the 2027 rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1048130' first='Izabelle' last='Keaveny'] – 2026 guard, Mayer Lutheran   As is often the case with twins, much of what applies to Clara fits Izzy, as well. At 5'10", with a strong frame and terrific athleticism, she's an explosive player who thrives in transition and can stretch the floor with her outside shot. She's perhaps the better playmaker of the two sisters, with more finesse to her game, although I'd probably get push-back on that from those who have seen them more frequently. Izzy averaged 16 points and five rebounds last season as Mayer Lutheran went 27–5 and returned to state. She again took on tough defensive assignments throughout the weekend, proving why she's one of the Crusaders' most versatile weapons.   [player_tooltip player_id='565313' first='Elsa' last='Retzlaff'] – 2028 guard, Hillcrest Lutheran   Retzlaff didn't have her best shooting night Friday against MIB, but she still impacted the game with her defense, rebounding, and decision-making – all reasons she's a top-20 prospect in 2028. Twenty-four hours later, she found her rhythm, scoring 19 points in a win over Mayer Lutheran while looking like the best player on the floor. We've written plenty about Elsa this year, so we'll simply say this: she continues to validate the hype. Her younger sister, [player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] (2030), also impressed as an 8th grader who earned her way onto the lists of several D1 programs at the Tip Off.   TOP NEWCOMERS   Emersyn Berge – 2028 guard, Hillcrest Lutheran   Entering the Breakdown Tip Off, Berge was a mystery – unranked, unknown, to us and without AAU experience. Berge made us sit up and take notice almost immediately on Friday. From the opening tip, the 5'8" sophomore displayed elite athleticism, quick feet, and serious bounce. Her defensive lateral movement stood out immediately, as did her court vision and passing touch. Berge played with poise beyond her experience level and is obviously a key piece for a very good Class A squad. It would be awesome if Emersyn would take our feedback to heart and pursue basketball more seriously because her upside is substantial.   [player_tooltip player_id='1268132' first='Arianna' last='Hovland'] – 2027 guard, Pelican Rapids   Pelican Rapids didn't take the court until Saturday, and they're actually a 2A team, but we thought it made sense to include her here with the other small-school standouts. Hovland certainly made her presence felt. The athletic guard isn't exactly unknown. She averaged 14 points and six rebounds last season, but this was the first time we've had an in-depth look at her.   Ari does a bit of everything: she attacks the rim, hits shots from the perimeter, rebounds with purpose, and defends with energy. On Saturday, she poured in 17 points in a 58–44 win over NRHEG. Playing her AAU ball with Sanford Sports, Hovland has a chance to be pretty good after she graduates high school

Justin Hegna is an idea man. The proprietor of Breakdown USA has never been shy about trying new formats or creative twists if there's any chance it'll make for a better basketball event. So when Hegna floated the idea of “Friday Night Lights” launch to the annual Tip Off Classic just for Class A schools, it sounded like fun. It turned out to be a home run.