Welcome to the 2025-26 Hard Hat All-Star Team

Scoring wins games. Playmakers make things happen. But none of it works without the players doing the dirty work – the grittiest competitors battling in the trenches, making the extra effort, and embracing whatever role the team needs. We do our best throughout the high school season to recognize these kids, although their work often gets overshadowed by others doing more glamorous duty. As we mark the conclusion of our 2025-26 high school post-season awards, we bring you the annual Prep Girls Hoops Hard Hat All-Star Team.

So what earns a spot on this always-popular shovel-slinging squad? It's not about points per game. It's about the little things that add up to winning – diving on the floor, taking charges, making the extra pass, setting solid screens, defending with purpose, and attacking the glass. It's about energy, consistency, and impact that doesn't always show up in the box score. It's also about intangibles. We value players who “play the right way.” They communicate, compete, and stay engaged on the court and on the bench. They bring toughness, resilience, and a team-first mindset to every possession. They don't take plays off, and they don't shy away from contact. They just do what's needed, when it's needed. Let's recognize the blue collar workers of Minnesota girls basketball.

FIRST TEAM

Emma Hanson Emma Hanson 5'9" | SF Waconia | 2026 State MN – 2026 guard, Waconia (UW-Stout)

Hanson has become a fixture on the Hard Hat squad with good reason. The 5'9 guard is the definition of a blue-collar competitor, combining strength, toughness, and skill in a way that impacts winning every night. She defends with purpose, battles physically, and consistently tilts the game in her team's favor. We don't lean on plus-minus stats often (only because they're hard to get) but Hanson is the queen of the category. Emma is headed to UW-Stout, where her gritty, team-first style will fit perfectly.

Amyra Mahik Amyra Mahik 5'6" | PG/SG Pipestone | 2028 State MN – 2028 guard, Pipestone

Playing with a nonstop motor and a relentless edge, Mahik competes in one way: full throttle. She pushes pace, attacks in transition, and turns loose balls into instant opportunities. Defensively, she's distinctively disruptive – jumping passing lanes, applying pressure, and forcing mistakes. Offensively, she's more than just energy, showing skill and feel to complement her effort. With high IQ, high intensity, and constant impact, good things happen when Mahik is on the floor.

Ava Smith Ava Smith 5'10" | PF/SF Hopkins | 2028 State MN – 2028 forward, Hopkins

Smith brings a rugged, workmanlike approach every time she steps on the court for the Royals. Strong and physical, she embraces contact and never backs down from a challenge. Ava is not the tallest forward, but her strength, determination, and motor more than make up for it. A steady contributor with a well-rounded skill set, Smith plays smart, plays hard, and never takes possessions off. Her physical presence is felt from start to finish.

Annika Kieser Annika Kieser 5'10" | SF Wayzata | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Wayzata

Kieser's skill is undeniable, but it's her toughness and work ethic that define Annika's game. A relentless competitor, she hounds ball handlers, jumps passing lanes, and refuses to give up on plays. She competes with an edge, welcomes contact, and consistently creates opportunities through effort alone. Offensively capable at a high level, it's her gritty, all-around arsenal that separates her from the pack.

Ella Knutson Ella Knutson 5'8" | SG/SF Hillcrest Lutheran | 2026 State MN – 2026 forward, Hillcrest Lutheran (Northwestern IA)

Knutson is the unsung backbone of a talented Hillcrest group. No flash, no shortcuts, just consistent effort and toughness every time out. Strong, athletic, and steady, she competes for every rebound and every inch of space. A veteran presence who leads by example, she plays with edge and intensity while bringing versatility on both ends. This is the type of player college coaches crave.

SECOND TEAM

Ava Brynteson Ava Brynteson 5'11" | CG Prior Lake | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Prior Lake

Brynteson is one of those under-the-radar veterans who does everything needed to win. Strong, athletic, and relentlessly competitive, she brings focus and toughness to every possession. Her consistency and work ethic stand out, and she rarely has an off night in terms of effort or impact. A key piece for Prior Lake, Ava may not always get the spotlight but her value to winning basketball is undeniable.

Anna Smelser Anna Smelser 5'8" | CG Robbinsdale Armstrong | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Robbinsdale Armstrong

Smelser plays with nonstop energy and a fiery edge that's impossible to ignore. Vocal, intense, and ultra-competitive, she sets the tone every time she steps on the floor. Whether she has the ball or not, she's making life difficult for opponents with her pressure and pace. A true alpha presence with scholarship-level ability, Smelser combines skill with relentless effort to create constant disruption.

Lauryn Stolzenberg Lauryn Stolzenberg 5'8" | PG Lake City | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Lake City

From the first viewing, Stolzenberg's effort level jumped off the page for us. She plays with sheer will, chasing down loose balls and competing for every inch. Lauryn's skill set continues to evolve, but it's her motor that defines her – constant movement, nonstop hustle, and physical defense. Athletic, aggressive, and relentless, Stolzenberg brings a fiery presence that fuels her team on both ends.

Breckin Whynott Breckin Whynott 5'11" | SF/CG Woodbury | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Woodbury

Wynott is a high-impact, all-around performer whose effort never wavers. At 5'11 with good length, she's a disruptive defender and strong rebounder who makes plays all over the floor. Quick-footed and physical, she competes with a ton of sandpaper and a whole lot of heart. Her energy is contagious, and her willingness to outwork opponents shows up in every game. Simply put, she gets things done.

Kendal Damon Kendal Damon 5'10" | SF Forest Lake | 2026 State MN – 2026 guard/forward, Forest Lake (South Dakota School of Mines)

Damon's game is built on toughness, effort, and physicality. A strong, hard-nosed competitor, she embraces contact and never stops working. She combines grit with skill, giving her the ability to score while also impacting the game in less visible ways. With good size, a high basketball IQ, and deceptive quickness, Damon brings a steady, physical presence to the game. How appropriate she's going to play for the Hardrockers!