Small-school stars who shined during week 3

The high school basketball season got off to a flying start with two of the premier weekends of the year – the Breakdown Tip Off Classic and the Thanksgiving tournaments. Now that we're off and running, our focus between now and Christmas is on seeing as many different teams as possible before we hit the holiday events. Last week we checked out a variety of Class A and AA teams and saw three accomplished players who reached career milestones and a couple more prospects who did great work. Here are our thoughts on some small-town stars who shined in week 3.   [player_tooltip player_id='862791' first='Acelynn' last='Hacker'] – 2026 guard, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg   Last week, Hacker became KMS's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Esther Peterson's 2007 record of 1,613 points with a 36-point performance in a win over Lac Qui Parle Valley. A top-150 prospect in the Class of 2026, the 5'7 guard has blossomed into a complete two-way player for a Fighting Saints team that went 25-4 last season. Hacker averaged 19 points and 4 steals per game as a junior, leading KMS on a 15-1 run through the Camden Conference. A lights-out three-point shooter, she's equally dangerous attacking the rim, handling contact with poise. Defensively, Acelynn is relentless – disrupting passing lanes, forcing turnovers, and creating fast-break chances. Calm and composed in big moments, Hacker is the definition of a competitor. Her work ethic and commitment to improvement have made her one of the best small-school guards in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='502566' first='Siri' last='Konkel'] – 2026 guard, Spring Grove/Mabel-Canton   The 5'4 guard reached 1,000 career points last week, scoring 25 with seven threes against Kee High School from Lansing, Iowa. We've loved watching Siri over the years. She delivers big impact in a small package, leaving her fingerprints all over the scoresheet. She averaged 12.8 points and 6.6 assists last season, earning All-Southeast Conference first team honors for a 22-6 Lions team. A standout on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='712352' first='Air' last='Minnesota'], Konkel is a dynamic scorer who gets to the rim, pulls up from midrange, and stretches defenses with deep range. Defensively, she's disruptive, using her quickness and anticipation to frustrate opponents and ignite transition play. Fearless and fiery, Konkel is a vocal leader who sets the tone for her team, employing her speed, agility, and energy to be a consistent difference-maker.   [player_tooltip player_id='782559' first='Kylie' last='Hammel'] – 2026 guard/forward, Spring Grove/Mabel-Canton   At 5'10, Hammel has size and length. She also brings grit, versatility, and leadership to the table for SGMC where she earned All-Southeast Conference honors last season. A do-it-all player, Hammel fills up the stat sheet through defense, rebounding, and timely scoring. Kylie knows how to read the play, adapt quickly to the circumstances and seize opportunities for herself or her teammates. With good length and mobility, she defends multiple positions and creates second-chance opportunities on the glass. She's a vocal leader who plays with confidence and an edge, setting the tone with her energy and toughness. Crafty with the ball and strong in catch-and-shoot situations, Hammel makes smart decisions and hustle plays that help her team win. A multi-sport athlete, Kylie has earned every one of those 1,000-plus points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1506453' first='Maycie' last='Mierau'] – 2027 guard, Lewiston-Altura   Despite operating in a low-profile Lewiston-Altura program, Mierau has emerged as one of southern Minnesota's accomplished small-school players. Last winter she averaged 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3 assists – the second-highest single-season points total in Cardinals history. The All-Conference guard is a three-level scorer who sees the floor well and is an extension of her coach on the floor. A versatile threat, Maycie can catch fire from deep, attack off the dribble, and finish through traffic. She plays with pace, aggression, and composure, consistently creating for herself and others. Defensively, she anticipates well, forcing turnovers and turning them into points. Confident and fearless, Mierau's calm under pressure and relentless drive make her a true difference-maker every time she steps on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1194449' first='Haidyn' last='Sammons'], Windom & [player_tooltip player_id='498657' first='Aubrey' last='Steffl'], Cedar Mountain   Two of the most entertaining point guards in Southwestern Minnesota went head-to-head on Thursday on Cedar Mountain's home floor in Morgan, Minn., when the senior Sammons and the junior Steffl did battle. Sammons is a crafty floor general with good quickness, pace in the open floor and just the right mix of aggression and intelligence in her decision making. Steffl is quick, quicker, quickest, with the type of burst most players can only dream off and the advanced level of skill to make the most of it. With Haidyn's sister Hadley having moved on to college ball, the spotlight in Windom is squarely on the younger Sammons, a 1,000-career point scorer who has the Class 2A Eagles off to a 5-0 start. Steffl is an elite ball handler who can shoot it from anywhere and consistently brings maximum energy for the Class A Cougars. She is a top 50 prospect in the Class of 2027 with a game that will translate well to college basketball.

The high school basketball season got off to a flying start with two of the premier weekends of the year – the Breakdown Tip Off Classic and the Thanksgiving tournaments. Now that we're off and running, our focus between now and Christmas is on seeing as many different teams as possible before we hit the holiday events. Last week we checked out a variety of Class A and AA teams and saw three accomplished players who reached career milestones and a couple more prospects who did great work. Here are our thoughts on some small-town stars who shined in week 3.