Tony's Takes: Week 13 – Pressure builds, playmakers rise

Week 13 is where things start to separate. The legs may be a little heavier, the scouting reports are thicker, and every possession carries more weight. Conference races are tightening up, section seeds are being sorted out, and teams with championship goals are learning exactly what they're made of. This past week we saw big-time performances in big-time moments. Players took control in must-win games. Point guards dictated tempo and carried the load when their teams needed stability. Shooters stepped up and knocked down shots with conference titles still within reach. College commits played like it, and underclassmen showed they're not far behind.   The best part about this time of year is that there's no hiding. You either embrace the pressure or it exposes you. Week 13 gave us a clear look at who's built for the stretch run. If this week was any indication, we're in for a strong finish.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120672' first='Jaycie' last='Helmer'] – 2030 guard, Mounds View   The 8th grade point guard from Mounds View plays the game the right way. In a tough loss to Roseville, she never let the moment speed her up. Helmer (pictured above) ran the offense with confidence, controlled the tempo, and consistently put her teammates in spots where they could succeed. That's rare for a player her age. When she looked to score, her footwork and touch stood out. Her first bucket came on a smooth pull-up jumper with the shot clock winding down. That tells you a lot about her poise. She also showed range, knocking down shots from deep without forcing anything. What I really liked was her toughness. She mixed it up on the glass and even came up with a couple impressive blocks. In a bounce-back road win over Forest Lake, Helmer led all scorers with 24 points. There's something special here, and she's just getting started.   [player_tooltip player_id='1314823' first='Molly' last='Jackson'] – 2027 guard, Roseville   The 5'9 sniper had a strong week, helping lead her team to a 3-1 record and keeping the Raiders right in the hunt for a conference title with two games left. When the games mattered most, Jackson delivered. She scored in double figures in three of the four contests, showing once again that she can heat up in a hurry. In a big home win over Mounds View, Jackson knocked down four triples and finished with 14 points. Her ability to stretch the floor opened things up for everyone else and gave the offense great balance. As the regular season winds down and postseason play approaches, Jackson's shooting and confidence will be a major piece of the puzzle. If the Raiders are going to make a push, they'll need their sharpshooter ready to fire.   [player_tooltip player_id='927235' first='Lexi' last='Lamppa'] – 2026 guard, Rock Ridge (UM-Crookston)   The University of Minnesota-Crookston commit showed exactly why she's ready for the next level, leading the Wolverines to their biggest win of the season with a 79-67 statement victory over previously undefeated Mountain Iron-Buhl. Lexi Lampaa controlled the game from start to finish. Her ability to push tempo changed everything. Even after made baskets, she was firing full-court passes for easy run-outs, putting constant pressure on MIB. They tried to trap her and get the ball out of her hands, but it didn't matter. Her handle was tight, her vision was sharp, and she slipped out of double teams like a veteran. Lampaa got into the paint whenever she wanted and stepped out to knock down jumpers when defenders sagged. She finished with a game-high 26 points and impacted so many more possessions. That's what leaders do in big games.   [player_tooltip player_id='659118' first='Alivia' last='Bell'] –2027 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's   The Red Knights are getting everyone's best shot every single night. That comes with the territory when you've built the kind of standard Benilde has. Their junior point guard understands that, and she continues to answer the call. In a tough two-point loss to Chanhassen, she flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. That tells you all you need to know about her impact. In a big road win over Waconia, she followed it up with 22 points and 11 assists, controlling the game from the opening tip. Her ability to break defenders down and get two feet in the paint is elite. She knows exactly where her teammates are supposed to be and delivers the ball on time and on target. Defensively, she's relentless, jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense. If the Red Knights are going to chase a fourth straight 3A title, it starts with her steady leadership.   [player_tooltip player_id='910063' first='Taylor' last='Whitehill'] – 2027 guard, Mounds View   The junior guard for Mounds View continues to make her mark in a big way. She's as aggressive as they come when attacking the rim, and once she gets a step on you, it's tough to recover. What makes her even more valuable is how well she complements [player_tooltip player_id='1120672' first='Jaycie' last='Helmer']. She doesn't force the action. She picks her spots and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. This past week, she elevated her play. Averaging 20 points over the stretch, six points above her season average, she gave Mounds View a steady scoring punch. Whether it was in transition or breaking her defender down in the half court, she played with confidence and purpose. As the postseason nears, having a guard who can consistently put pressure on the defense like that is a big piece to the puzzle.   Marley Kiarola – 2029 guard, Rock Ridge   Kiarola gets up and down the floor in a blur. There aren't many players I've seen this season who move as fast with the ball as they do without it. Her speed changes the game. In the big win over Mountain Iron-Buhl last week, the talented freshman set the tone early. She fought for an offensive rebound in traffic, finished the putback, and never let up from there. Every possession, she's coming at you full speed. You can't relax for a second. What stands out is that she's not just fast, she's under control. She has great body control and footwork, able to stop on a dime and shift directions through traffic without losing balance. If Rock Ridge is going to make a third straight trip to the state tournament, Kiarola, even as a freshman, is going to have a major say in it.

Week 13 is where things start to separate. The legs may be a little heavier, the scouting reports are thicker, and every possession carries more weight. Conference races are tightening up, section seeds are being sorted out, and teams with championship goals are learning exactly what they're made of. This past week we saw big-time performances in big-time moments. Players took control in must-win games. Point guards dictated tempo and carried the load when their teams needed stability. Shooters stepped up and knocked down shots with conference titles still within reach. College commits played like it, and underclassmen showed they're not far behind.