5 difference-makers who cooked on Thanksgiving

Many an athletic career has been built on being in the right place at the right time. Put in the work, pay your dues, and when the opportunity materializes athletes who answer the bell and deliver are well on their way to new heights. We're certainly seeing things play out that way in the early going of the 2025-26 high school basketball season. The players profiled here have all been important contributors to their teams for some time. Now, they've taken advantage of new opportunities and raised their games as was evidenced by their performances over the weekend. Here are 5 difference-makers who cooked on Thanksgiving.   [player_tooltip player_id='734360' first='Gigi' last='Coleman'] – 2027 guard, Minnehaha Academy   The graduation of Addi Mack, now starring at the University of Maryland, created plenty of opportunity at Minnehaha. No one has seized it like Coleman. A top-40 junior, Gigi was everywhere at Hamline University last weekend when we watched the Pat Patterson Tournament for two days. Known last year for her exceptional defending, Coleman has now become an offensive force. After scoring 20 points against DeLaSalle at the Breakdown Tip Off, she poured in 25 more versus Minnetonka at Hamline. She leads the Redhawks at 17 points per game – nearly triple last year's average. The 5'8 combo guard is a three-point threat who also gets downhill with speed, quickness, and intelligence. Coleman was always going to be a key piece this season, but with [player_tooltip player_id='478390' first='Sinae' last='Hill'] sidelined by a knee injury, Gigi's leadership and production are more essential than ever.   [player_tooltip player_id='502596' first='Kiersti' last='Joerger'] – 2026 guard, Visitation   Joerger's situation at Visitation mirrors Coleman's at Minnehaha. With Sam Wills (now at Harvard) gone, the Blazers needed a veteran leader. Joerger (pictured above) has answered the call. Often overshadowed by her former teammate, Kiersti has long been a vital cog in Visitation's wheel. That was evident at the Thanksgiving Tip Off Classic, where she scored 24 points against Osseo, including three threes and an 11-for-12 showing at the free-throw line. At 5'9 with a strong frame, Joerger isn't the fastest horse in the race, but she's powerful, smart, and poised. She gets downhill with purpose and defends with tenacity. A captain and emotional leader, she brings steady production and confidence to a team in transition. In her senior season, Joerger looks ready to deliver her best yet.   [player_tooltip player_id='667779' first='Grace' last='Prose'] – 2027 guard, Mahtomedi   Prose finds herself in a similar storyline – stepping up after a star's departure. With [player_tooltip player_id='772240' first='Sarah' last='Poepard'] (now at Hill-Murray) gone, the Zephyrs needed scoring, and Prose has answered emphatically. The top-40 junior was relentless over Thanksgiving, attacking from inside and out, keeping defenders off balance with superior handles and quick reads. She scored 23 against Anoka and now leads the Zephyrs at 24 points per game, nearly double last year's average. Those numbers are sure to rise with greater efficiency as the season progresses. Coming off a strong summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] alongside [player_tooltip player_id='734360' first='Gigi' last='Coleman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs'], Prose is clearly playing with confidence. She's a versatile scorer, a tough defender, and the emotional engine of a Mahtomedi team looking for success this winter.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/Izzy-Van-Nett_Thanksgiving-crop-5447x3577-1764867672.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1490785" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1256275' first='Isabelle' last='Van Nett'] – 2027 guard, Two Rivers   Some players just have that look when they step on the floor – a potentially potent mixture of focus, fire, and fearlessness. That was Van Nett on Saturday as Two Rivers took on Bloomington Kennedy. Pictured above, the 5'8 junior attacked relentlessly, alternating between explosive drives and deep threes, finishing with 18 points and seven steals. Her energy set the tone at both ends. A younger sister to Makayla Van Nett and Shania Van Nett , former Como Park standouts who both made it to D1 college ball, Izzy is carving out her own identity. Her confidence, shot-making, and defensive anticipation make her a constant threat. Back in June we wrote that Izzy looked ready for a breakout year. She certainly lived up to expectations when we watched on Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id='502600' first='Jayda' last='Wilson'] – 2026 forward/guard, Eastview (Gustavus)   Eastview has faced one of the state's toughest schedules over the first two weeks of the season, earning wins over St. Michael-Albertville and Rochester Mayo while narrowly falling to Maple Grove and Providence Academy. Wilson has been a big part of Eastview's high level of play. The 5'10 senior has elevated her game, averaging 16 points per contest – up 10 from last season. With a strong frame, ample athleticism, and quick-trigger jump shot, she scores inside and out, using speed and strength to get downhill. A natural scorer with craft and composure, Wilson has stepped into a more prominent role  following multiple graduations. The Gustavus commit's Thanksgiving showcase made one thing clear: she's ready to be a player the Lightning will lean on this winter.

Many an athletic career has been built on being in the right place at the right time. Put in the work, pay your dues, and when the opportunity materializes athletes who answer the bell and deliver are well on their way to new heights. We're certainly seeing things play out that way in the early going of the 2025-26 high school basketball season. The players profiled here have all been important contributors to their teams for some time. Now, they've taken advantage of new opportunities and raised their games as was evidenced by their performances over the weekend. Here are 5 difference-makers who cooked on Thanksgiving.