Breakdown Capitol City Classic: Tony's Takes

While a lot of the games at the Breakdown Capitol City Classic got out of hand early, the effort never dipped for those who take pride in how they play. No matter what the scoreboard said, there were players going full speed, competing on every possession, and refusing to coast. The up-and-comers used the stage to announce themselves, while the seasoned vets showed why they've earned respect. This was about toughness, confidence, and taking advantage of opportunity, and those are the performances that stood out the most.   The Young and the Relentless   The future is bright in Rogers, and it starts with a talented 8th grade trio getting real varsity reps early. Leading the way is 6'0 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1313011' first='Paige' last='Fenstra'], who made her presence felt at the Capitol City Classic. She was active on the glass and finished plays around the rim at a high rate, showing good instincts and toughness inside. Running the show is 5'5 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1418492' first='Harper' last='Colligan']. She is steady, composed, and values the ball. The stats may not pop, but the game flows better when she's on the floor. A big beneficiary is her older sister, [player_tooltip player_id='764207' first='Kinnley' last='Colligan'], who leads the Royals at 16 points per game. Rounding out the group is [player_tooltip player_id='1268778' first='Madison' last='Waldo'], a confident shooter with deep range who averages 11 a night. This group is learning fast, and the Rogers Royals are building something real.   Mikayla Johnson-Barnes - 2030 Post - Maranantha Christian Academy   Johnson-Barnes has been a major reason behind the Mustangs' impressive 9–2 start, and her impact shows up every time she's on the floor. She plays with real strength and toughness, and under the guidance of Faith Johnson-Patterson, she's in a great spot to keep growing if that's the path she wants. Basketball clearly runs deep in her family. Her mom, Mia Johnson, also played for Johnson-Patterson before going on to compete at Saint Louis University and Michigan State University. Johnson-Barnes is a natural leader who is vocal, competitive, and physical. She gives the Mustangs a true inside presence to balance their perimeter attack. Watching her operate from the high post, catching and attacking defenders on her way to the rim, there's a lot to like about her game and her mindset.   [player_tooltip player_id='1598998' first='Ava' last='Kirchoff'] - 2030 guard - Woodbury   Kirchoff is another up-and-comer in the 2030 class picking up valuable varsity minutes, and she's making the most of them. Averaging 5 points per game, she plays with an attacking mindset and isn't afraid of the moment. There's confidence in how she looks to score, but also maturity in how she fits into the bigger picture. Getting reps behind emerging top prospect [player_tooltip player_id='905146' first='Harper' last='Vossen'] has been a big benefit, giving her a chance to learn while still being ready when her number is called. Kirchoff competes on both ends of the floor, brings real energy, and doesn't take possessions off. The game speed hasn't been too fast for her, and that matters at this stage. By all signs, this is just the beginning, and her role will keep growing.   Top Performers   [player_tooltip player_id='515689' first='Megan' last='Doughty'] - 2026 forward - Woodbury (Mayville State)   Doughty's game was on full display at the Capitol City Classic. When leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='905146' first='Harper' last='Vossen'] ran into foul trouble and briefly went down with an ankle issue, Doughty didn't hesitate. She took the moment head on and delivered. In the win over Rogers, she tapped into her inner Caitlin Clark, knocking down five three-pointers on her way to 15 points. She stayed aggressive and confident, never forcing the action, just taking what the defense gave her. She backed that up with another strong showing against Andover, scoring 10 points, including two more threes, all in the second half. Beyond the scoring, she rebounded, defended, and played with nonstop effort. Doughty did a little bit of everything, helping the Royals go 2-0 on the weekend and reminding everyone she's not someone you can afford to overlook.   [player_tooltip player_id='502586' first='Maria' last='Radabaugh'] - 2026 guard - Totino-Grace (Concordia-St. Paul)   With second-leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='764182' first='Ava' last='Litecky'] sidelined, Radabaugh has been asked to do more, and she's handled it with poise. It hasn't just been about points. She's taken on the task of helping teammates settle into bigger roles and keeping things organized. In the first half against the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks, she went basket for basket with one of the state's toughest programs, keeping the Eagles within striking distance before Minnehaha's pressure started to wear things down. Radabaugh showed real confidence in her shot and didn't shy away from the moment. She competed on every possession, fought through physical defense, and kept attacking. By the end of the night, it was clear she earned the respect of Redhawks fans with her toughness, shot making, and willingness to battle, even when things got hard.   Unsung Contributors   [player_tooltip player_id='919125' first='Breckin' last='Whynott'] - 2027 forward - Woodbury   First off, I love the last name — and she plays like it too. Why not compete? Why not battle? Whynott had her hands full dealing with elite post players like [player_tooltip player_id='1313011' first='Paige' last='Fenstra'], along with [player_tooltip player_id='644896' first='Logan' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1005207' first='Myla' last='Evers'], and she didn't back down. She used her quickness, instincts, and feel for the game to beat bigger bodies to their spots and made every touch uncomfortable. The numbers won't grab your attention, but that's the point. Whynott keeps possessions alive, creates extra chances, and always seems to pop up where she's needed most. When it comes to doing the little things that help you win, why not Whynott?   Jadyn Etim - 2028 guard - Rogers   Etim looks like a perimeter stopper in the making. She's quick laterally, strong through contact, and defends with real purpose. Nothing came easy for her matchups, as she made opponents work deep into the shot clock just to get a look. She embraces the physical side of the game and doesn't shy away from tough assignments. Offensively, she didn't hunt shots, instead deferring to teammates who carry more of the scoring load right now. That speaks to her understanding of role and team needs. As her offensive confidence and skill continue to grow, it's easy to see her impact expanding. Pair that with the defense she already brings, and the Royals are building something that could be very tough to deal with down the road.

While a lot of the games at the Breakdown Capitol City Classic got out of hand early, the effort never dipped for those who take pride in how they play. No matter what the scoreboard said, there were players going full speed, competing on every possession, and refusing to coast. The up-and-comers used the stage to announce themselves, while the seasoned vets showed why they've earned respect. This was about toughness, confidence, and taking advantage of opportunity, and those are the performances that stood out the most.