Community Clash: Grant's top performers (part 1)

We've watched Little Falls sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='904190' first='Malin' last='Youngberg'] a ton over the past couple of years in AAU but never in a high school game. That's why our viewing plan for Saturday's Breakdown Community Clash had the matchup between the Flyers and Sartell-St. Stephen circled in red. Let's just say Youngberg did not disappoint as the 6th-ranked prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2028 delivered a virtuoso performance.   With Ally McGinnis attending to the proceedings at St. Michael-Albertville – watch for her coverage in the next day or two – I was responsible for scrutinizing the six games at St. Cloud Cathedral and Becker. Here is part one of my top performers at the Community Clash.   PLAYER OF THE DAY   [player_tooltip player_id='904190' first='Malin' last='Youngberg'] – 2028 guard, Little Falls (South Dakota State)   Little Falls got off to a slow start against Sartell and found themselves trailing by 8 points in the first few minutes. After a vocal timeout, the Flyers responded – Youngberg in particular – as Malin sparked a 12-1 sprint in three minutes that enabled her Flyers to take the lead. They were up two at the half.   The second period began with a surge by Sartell that saw the Sabres once again forge an 8-point lead. Another noisy timeout ensued and then Youngberg went on one of the most impressive streaks of excellence we've seen all season. She was unstoppable. It started with a smooth step-back three. Then another. Than a sweet spin-cycle score from the lane. Suddenly the game was tied. Then Malin nailed another three and before you knew it the Flyers were up by 8. That's how it went the rest of the way as the 6-foot guard kept hitting shots and making plays and stretching the lead on a remarkable 32-7 run. Youngberg finished with 38 points, 20 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 4 blocks. The final score was 66-49 in favor of the Flyers.   Watching Malin take over a game is a thing of beauty. She's so athletic, with exceptional verticality, tremendous body control and a motor that runs forever. It was exactly the type of performance that saw her get recruited early and often at the Division 1 level. Last month she became the state's first sophomore to make a verbal commitment – to regional power South Dakota State. Pictured above with her sister [player_tooltip player_id='1239229' first='Ehlin' last='Youngberg'], Malin had a special Saturday. We'll have more on Ehlin tomorrow.   TOP PERFORMERS   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/Kate-Thayer-crop-998x656-1770071295.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1712052" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='782558' first='Kate' last='Thayer'] – 2026 guard, Northome-Kelliher   Thayer has had an exceptional run with the Mustangs and Saturday's performance was one of the more memorable of her career. From the opening tip to last-second heroics, the 5'5 point guard was everywhere as her tenacious perimeter defense forced a flurry of turnovers leading to easy transition baskets. She does it all for her team, shooting the ball at a very high level, getting downhill with pace and precision, and using her quickness and on-court intelligence to make things happen.   Of course, Saturday's finish was nuts. Check out our <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/02/the-week-that-was-no-11-a-flair-for-the-dramatic/">Week That Was No. 11 </a>recap for all the improbable details on how Thayer's brilliance enabled Northome-Kelliher to go on a 9-0 run in the final 20 seconds to secure a dramatic 70-68 win over MACCRAY. She finished the game with 23 points, slightly below her average of 26.8 points per game along with 8.2 rebounds, 8.9 steals and 4.5 assists. Thayer has yet to make a college commitment, but her next-level potential is clear.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/Aniyrah-Gorman-crop-3767x2474-1770163934.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1715146" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='999548' first='Aniyrah' last='Gorman'] – 2027 guard, Minneapolis North   The 5'7 guard transferred last fall from Two Rivers to Minneapolis North, bringing her high-tempo, high-skill, high-energy game the resurgent Polars, a program whose historic excellence speaks for itself. On Saturday at the Community Clash in Becker, Gorman wasted no time showing one and all just how much she can do in a 57-51 win over Anoka. Aniyrah is feisty and fearless, the kind of player who wants the ball in her hands, wants to take the big shot in the big moment. At the PGH Expo in September, Gorman offered a preview of what was ahead this winter. She was forcing turnovers, grabbing steals and showing off her scoring ability with flair and ferocity. She plays with swagger, and her energy is contagious. She finished with 18 points on Saturday to earn Player of the Game honors. On Monday she followed that with a season-high 33 points in a win over Southwest Christian, the Polars 9th straight victory in a 15-4 campaign.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/Carly-Mitchell-crop-1167x767-1770164138.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1715149" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Screenshot</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1715147' first='Carly' last='Mitchell'] – 2027 guard, Holdingford   While not quite as dramatic as Northome-Kelliher's last minute heroics against MACCRAY, Holdingford pulled off a quality comeback of their own on Saturday. Trailing by 15 at halftime against the hosts from St. Cloud Cathedral, the Huskers stormed back in the second half for a 66-63 win. Mitchell's play was huge as she finished with 33 points and 16 rebounds. The 5'8 guard is a do-it-all type of contributor for Holdingford. She can handle the basketball, finishes consistently at the rim and is an elite free-throw shooter – an underappreciated asset if ever there was one! With mass graduations last spring, Carly has assumed a bigger leadership role this season and appears to have relished the opportunity. She is strong, physical, and aggressive as well as an authoritative shooter who isn't afraid to let it fly.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Brielle-Janssen-1000.jpg?w=831" alt="" class="wp-image-834887" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='515673' first='Brielle' last='Janssen'] – 2026 forward, MACCRAY   I can't imagine Janssen has ever experienced heartbreak of the variety her team suffered during those final 20 seconds on Saturday. That shouldn't diminish what was a virtuoso performance on the day from the talented MSU-Mankato commit. MACCRAY got off to a slow start, falling behind by a dozen in the first half. It was Janssen who was the catalyst for an impressive comeback, helping them draw even by halftime and taking over the proceedings after the break.   It's not like we haven't seen this before from the 6'1 forward, who holds the #14 ranking among Minnesota seniors. Teams do all manner of game planning to stop Janssen, but with exceptional length, elevation and touch, it's not easy to curtail her excellence. She finished the game with 34 points. Don't be surprised if Brielle carries her team back to the State Tournament next month. The Wolverines were runners-up in Class A one year ago.

We've watched Little Falls sophomore Malin Youngberg Malin Youngberg 6'0" | CG/SF Little Falls | 2028 State MN a ton over the past couple of years in AAU but never in a high school game. That's why our viewing plan for Saturday's Breakdown Community Clash had the matchup between the Flyers and Sartell-St. Stephen circled in red. Let's just say Youngberg did not disappoint as the 6th-ranked prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2028 delivered a virtuoso performance.