PGH Postseason Awards: All-Middle School Teams

Much like we talked about with yesterday's All-Freshman Teams, it is incredibly challenging, not to mention rare, for players in the 7th and 8th grade to make a big impact at the varsity level. In many states, players aren't even allowed to play for their high school teams until, well, high school. Fortunately in Minnesota, the biggest and brightest are able to cut their teeth at a young age, gaining valuable experience along the way. While we don't publish rankings until the 9th grade, most of these 2030s and 2031s are expected to be big names in the years to come.    Among the 20 players we've selected for our All-Middle School Team, the majority happen to be from larger schools, with six of our selections playing in 4A and seven playing for a 3A team. Five of the selections are from 2A programs, and just two are from 1A. While oftentimes it's weaker programs that have minutes available for young players, many of these kids made deep playoff runs with their respective teams this winter, with eight of them making it to the State Tournament, and one winning a State Championship. Regardless, these are prospects we'll be watching plenty of this summer. Here are the All-Middle School Team selections.   FIRST TEAM   [player_tooltip player_id='923286' first='Ashlee' last='Wilson'] – 2030 Guard, Hill-Murray   The younger of the two Wilson sisters gave outstanding performances all season, averaging 21 points per game for Hill-Murray. The 5'10 guard showed off her ability to score at every level and playmaking skills night in and night out, leading the team with 5.7 assists per game. Ashlee's game garnered plenty of attention in the postseason, as she helped take the Pioneers to their first State Tournament since 2023. Despite Hill-Murray's loss to Cretin-Derham Hall in the quarterfinals, she earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. One of the top 8th graders in the country, Wilson will play up a couple years for All Iowa Attack's 16U EYBL team again this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1124545' first='Amelia' last='Truty'] – 2030 Guard, Rochester Lourdes   This season the Rochester Lourdes roster featured a three-headed snake made up of upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='502563' first='Lauren' last='Hust'] and [player_tooltip player_id='764292' first='Aaliyah' last='Williams'], plus Truty, the standout 8th grader. The 5'9 guard led the team in points per game at 19.8, with Hust and Williams not far behind. In addition to her scoring, Amelia impacted the game in other ways. From her staunch presence on the defensive end, consistent willingness to make hustle plays, and ability to feed the ball to her teammates on a dime pass, the Eagles point guard was essential to their 26-7 record. Truty set multiple school records this season, including the most made three-pointers in a season (98) and the single game scoring record (44 points).   [player_tooltip player_id='1120672' first='Jaycie' last='Helmer'] – 2030 Guard, Mounds View   The elite two-sport athlete from Mounds View put up some major numbers for the second year in a row. Despite being only an 8th grader, Helmer led the team in both points and rebounds, averaging nearly 18 and 8 per game. She also notched nearly 5 assists per night. The 5'9 guard's game features a high-level offensive skillset, effortless athleticism, and a tremendous understanding of the game. In addition to playing up a year for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL in the AAU season, Jaycie also plays softball at the national level. She is sure to be a standout varsity performer in the years to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='1418505' first='Marianna' last='Davis'] – 2030 Forward, Hopkins   From the moment the season began, Davis showed that she has what it takes to succeed at the varsity level, even in the ultra-competitive Lake Conference. The 6'1 power forward turned plenty of heads at every event from the Tip Off Classic in November all the way to the State Tournament earlier this month. The Hopkins 8th grader was a consistent member of the Royals rotation all winter, averaging just over 9 points per game. With a long, lanky frame, and a high degree of mobility and quickness, Mari has all of the gifts it takes to play D1 collegiate basketball. She will suit up for the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] again this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] – 2030 Guard, Hillcrest Lutheran   Retzlaff was instrumental in Hillcrest Lutheran's crusade this season, leading the team to their first State Tournament trip in program history. The Comets 8th grader led the team in scoring at 18.5 points per contest, and scored her 1,000th career point (assisted by her older sister, [player_tooltip player_id='565313' first='Elsa' last='Retzlaff']) in the State semifinal matchup against Mountain Iron-Buhl. A crafty, high-IQ guard with a tireless work ethic, Elin earned a spot on Class A All-Tournament Team. After a tremendous campaign in just her second varsity season, Retzlaff is certainly going to make headlines with the Comets over the next four years. She will suit up for [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] again this spring.   SECOND TEAM   [player_tooltip player_id='1280312' first='Jayda' last='Nobles'] – 2031 Guard, Benilde-St. Margaret's   Not many players see consistent varsity minutes in the 7th grade, even fewer do it at 3A power programs like Benilde-St. Margaret's. This winter Nobles did exactly that. The 5'9 guard served as a backup point for the Red Knights this season, bringing her versatile scoring, natural playmaking abilities, and effortless athleticism to the table. She even made an impact at the State Tournament, where Benilde brought home their fourth consecutive championship. One of the most promising young players in the state, Jayda averaged just over 5 points and 3 rebounds on Coach Tim Ellefson's loaded Benilde squad. Nobles will play AAU for All-Iowa Attack this summer along with teammates [player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1124601' first='Rose' last='Kalscheur'].   [player_tooltip player_id='1090086' first='Shea' last='Watkins'] – 2030 Wing, Minnehaha Academy   Despite missing a portion of the season due to injury, Watkins was a consistent contributor for Minnehaha in her 8th grade campaign. The lengthy, 6'0 wing provided some much-needed size in the paint for the Redhawks, but extended her game out to the perimeter as well. Shea averaged 8.1 points per game making her the team's third-leading scorer behind junior [player_tooltip player_id='734360' first='Gigi' last='Coleman'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='914941' first='Briana' last='Foster']. On the defensive end, Watkins' light feet and athleticism were critical, allowing her to guard multiple positions for Minnehaha. Both Shea and her twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='1090085' first='Georgia' last='Watkins'] are sure to be key pieces in the years to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='1325878' first='Eve' last='Schupp'] – 2030 Guard, Westonka   Schupp put up some serious numbers this winter, leading Westonka in scoring, rebounds, and steals. The smooth, highly skilled 8th grader averaged more than 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game over the course of the season. A high-octance scorer with a natural feel for the game, Eve excels at creating space off the dribble, allowing her to get an open look from anywhere on the floor. While the White Hawks struggled to get wins once again this season, finishing with a record of 4-24 , Schupp's efforts were a bright spot for Coach Caitlin McKernon Sunder's team. This summer on the AAU circuit, the 5'8 guard will play for [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Bjorgaard.   [player_tooltip player_id='939005' first='Haley' last='Schoenrock'] – 2030 Forward, St. Francis   The lengthy forward from St. Francis caught our attention back in December at the Granite City Classic. Standing at 6'2, Schoenrock is hard to miss. The Fighting Saints 8th grader is light on her feet, runs the floor with ease, and plays incredibly hard, not to mention the fact that she is practically a walking double-double. To go along with her 9 plus rebounds a night, Haley led St. Francis in scoring this season, averaging just over 15 points a game. She also tallied nearly 3 assists and 2 blocks per game, on average. Haley and her twin sister, [player_tooltip player_id='939006' first='Sophie' last='Schoenrock'], will play for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1268778' first='Madison' last='Waldo'] – 2030 Guard, Rogers   After making waves on the AAU circuit last summer, Waldo looked poised to be a key factor for Rogers in the high school season. With a 26-point performance in the season opener, it's safe to say that turned out to be true. The 5'8 guard was a consistent contributor all winter, averaging 9.8 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Royals. With a well-honed skillset, plenty of physical strength, and a fierce, competitive attitude, Madison excels at getting downhill to the rim but can just as easily drain shots from the outside. Waldo will suit up for the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 2030 3SSB this summer.    HONORABLE MENTION   [player_tooltip player_id='1256277' first='Tenlee' last='Egan'] – 2030 Guard, St. Michael-Albertville   [player_tooltip player_id='1353703' first='Kendall' last='Malmgren'] – 2030 Forward, St. James   [player_tooltip player_id='1090087' first='Lariah' last='Wright'] – 2030 Guard, Minnetonka   [player_tooltip player_id='1559037' first='Kali' last='Schultz'] – 2030 Guard, Delano   [player_tooltip player_id='1345919' first='Alyse' last='Denne'] – 2030 Guard, Becker   [player_tooltip player_id='1598998' first='Ava' last='Kirchoff'] – 2030 Guard, Woodbury   [player_tooltip player_id='1239229' first='Ehlin' last='Youngberg'] – 2030 Guard, Little Falls   [player_tooltip player_id='1445604' first='Melanie' last='Carlson'] – 2030 Guard, Duluth Marshall   [player_tooltip player_id='1568411' first='Jordince' last='Wind'] – 2031 Guard, Cass Lake-Bena   [player_tooltip player_id='1090085' first='Georgia' last='Watkins'] – 2030 Wing, Minnehaha Academy

Much like we talked about with yesterday's All-Freshman Teams, it is incredibly challenging, not to mention rare, for players in the 7th and 8th grade to make a big impact at the varsity level. In many states, players aren't even allowed to play for their high school teams until, well, high school. Fortunately in Minnesota, the biggest and brightest are able to cut their teeth at a young age, gaining valuable experience along the way. While we don't publish rankings until the 9th grade, most of these 2030s and 2031s are expected to be big names in the years to come.