Tony's Takes: The Best of Holiday Hoops

While most people were easing into the holiday break, plenty of players around the state were lacing them up and getting after it. Holiday hoops always has a different feel. Some familiar names showed why they're talked about year round, while others used the extra games as a chance to quietly make a statement. Gyms were packed, matchups were physical, and the effort level didn't dip just because the calendar said December. This stretch is telling. It shows who loves to compete, who stays ready, and who can handle different roles when things get messy. Whether the names were well-known or not, these games mattered, and the players who stood out made sure they were noticed.   [player_tooltip player_id='667771' first='Brooke' last='Soash'] - 2028 guard - Champlin Park   Soash is as smooth as they come and has a natural feel for putting the ball in the basket. What stood out in her two games last week was her growth as a decision maker, especially in transition. She consistently made the right read, whether that meant pushing it ahead to a teammate or pulling it out and letting things settle. That said, she still found ways to score, averaging just under 20 points per game at the Hill-Murray Holiday Classic. Just a sophomore, she plays with a calm, steady demeanor that never changes, no matter the moment. Don't let that fool you though, she's aggressive and competitive every time she steps on the floor. Paired with [player_tooltip player_id='502599' first='Reese' last='Hagenbart'], the two form a tough 1-2 punch that's going to be a real problem for teams once tournament play rolls around.   [player_tooltip player_id='932014' first='Ma'lon' last='McCoy'] - 2027 guard - St. Agnes   McCoy is a strong 5'11 presence who brings a steady mix of power and touch. She plays with great control and does a nice job navigating traffic, especially when defenders are set and waiting to take charges. She doesn't rush and understands how to use her body to create space. On the glass, she's reliable and physical, carving out position and finishing possessions. Offensively, she can score inside but also steps out and knocks down shots, which keeps defenses honest. McCoy poured in a game-high 24 points in the win over Westonka at the Hill-Murray Holiday Classic, showing her ability to take over when needed. Against Holy Family, she took a shot to the face early and was limited in the first half, but showed toughness by bouncing back to score 10 of her team-high 13 points in the second half. She's a true blend of strength and skill and impacts the game in multiple ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='969766' first='Iona' last='MacNabb'] - 2028 guard - Richfield   You wouldn't know it by the final score, but Richfield came out swinging and built a double-digit lead on Hill-Murray early. A big reason for that was the shooting of the sophomore guard MacNabb. If you give her any space in the right corner, you might as well count it. Her form is clean, repeatable, and she shoots with real confidence. Richfield eventually lost control of the game in the second half, but MacNabb never looked rattled. She kept spacing the floor and making shots when chances came. If she hadn't already, she earned plenty of respect in this one and put herself on the radar. MacNabb is leading Richfield Spartans in scoring at 24 points per game and has them off to a 7-4 start. She's a name worth remembering as the season moves along.   [player_tooltip player_id='994865' first='Jenille' last='Arrey'] - 2029 forward - East Ridge   Arrey (pictured above) brings a jolt of energy every time she checks in, and it showed right away against Prior Lake. In her first few touches off the bench, the 6-foot forward ripped down three offensive boards, turning one into a putback before the defense could settle. She averages around 6 points per game, but doubled that output with 12 points while pulling down 7 rebounds, all while coming off the bench. That kind of production matters. She defends, runs the floor, and understands her role. Arrey keeps the ball moving and gets it where it needs to go, especially into the hands of the playmakers. When left open, she's confident taking the shot, and she's comfortable putting it on the floor when lanes open up. This 2029 prospect has earned the trust of her coaches, and she continues to back that up every time she steps on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='764229' first='Toni' last='Fisher'] - 2027 guard - Prior Lake   The Lakers haven't gotten out of the gate the way they hoped this season, but Fisher has been a steady bright spot. She's the straw that stirs the drink for Prior Lake and everything flows through her. Fisher is averaging just under 20 points per game and has carried a heavy load offensively. In a tough one-point loss to East Ridge last week, she poured in 28 points, showing her ability to rise in big moments. She followed that up by scoring over half of her team's points in a tough loss to Wayzata. Fisher plays with patience, stays under control, and understands how to read the floor. She can shoot the lights out, score off the bounce, and make the right play when defenses collapse. Prior Lake is at its best when Toni has the ball in her hands.   Other notable performers:   [player_tooltip player_id='502550' first='Mia' last='Banks'] - 2026 guard - Rochester Mayo (Bemidji State)   The senior sniper poured in 23 points, knocking down 7 three-pointers in a win over White Bear Lake at the Holiday Hoopla Classic.   [player_tooltip player_id='433933' first='Chloe' last='Johnson'] - 2028 guard - Duluth Marshall   In a tough loss to Marshall last week, the sophomore phenom poured in 29 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and dished out 7 assists. She followed that up with a 21-point, 12-rebound and 10-steal triple double in a win over MACCRAY.   [player_tooltip player_id='362575' first='Callie' last='Oakland'] - 2026 forward - St. Croix Lutheran (Northern Iowa)   Oakland had a big week, finishing with 23 points and a team-high 14 rebounds in a win over Nova Classical Academy. She capped it off with a game-high of 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 6 blocks against Dover-Eyota to help her team go 2-0 for the week in the Southern Minnesota Hoops Fest.

While most people were easing into the holiday break, plenty of players around the state were lacing them up and getting after it. Holiday hoops always has a different feel. Some familiar names showed why they're talked about year round, while others used the extra games as a chance to quietly make a statement. Gyms were packed, matchups were physical, and the effort level didn't dip just because the calendar said December. This stretch is telling. It shows who loves to compete, who stays ready, and who can handle different roles when things get messy. Whether the names were well-known or not, these games mattered, and the players who stood out made sure they were noticed.