Standout underclassmen at the Midwest Kickoff Classic

Now in our second week of AAU season coverage, the Midwest Kickoff Classic really set things in motion. With plenty of high-tempo, competitive basketball to watch and warmer weather on the horizon, this is easily one of my favorite times of the year. PGH scouts Grant McGinnis, Tony Ragulen, and I spent most of the weekend at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, along with our new intern, Paxyn Rendahl, who will be working with us this summer. The gym buzzed with excitement all weekend long, and there were plenty of entertaining matchups to watch. Here are six players whose performances really stood out.   [player_tooltip player_id='897890' first='Ellie' last='Quast'] – 2028 Wing, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 16U EYCL   Quast (pictured above) has made some major strides in her game over the last six months, taking a big step up for Shakopee this winter. Standing at 6'1, the Sabers sophomore is a long and lanky wing with guard skills. She's gotten stronger, more coordinated, and is playing with more assertiveness. At the Midwest Kickoff Classic, Ellie used her length to be disruptive on the defensive end, forcing turnovers and blocking shots on the perimeter. On offense, she handled the ball with confidence and showed off her capabilities as a distributor in the half court. After making a 9 spot jump in the latest rankings update for the PGH Class of 2028, Quast looks to be gearing up for a big AAU season.   [player_tooltip player_id='885227' first='Clarissa' last='Ross'] – 2028 Guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 16U EYCL   Ross is a player that has been on our radar for a number of years now. Over time she has shown serious consistency in both her reliability on the defensive end, as well as her work ethic on the court. On Saturday the 5'9 combo guard looked to be in mid-season form. Clarissa looked to score downhill, using a crafty handle on the ball to weave through the defense, finishing through contact at the rim. With a sturdy, muscular frame and plenty of strength, the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYCL guard is able to get to the basket without being bumped off her line, making her tough for defenders to stop on the drive.    [player_tooltip player_id='1314135' first='Harper' last='Mismash'] – 2029 Guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 2029 3SSB    Despite being just a freshman, we saw Mismash break into the loaded varsity rotation at Benilde-St. Margaret's this winter. This weekend at the Kickoff, the 5'10 guard got the AAU season started on a high note. A smooth athlete with a long and lanky build, Harper runs the floor with ease and shoots the ball with a fluid release. She pushes the pace in transition, understands how to space the floor, and makes well-timed backdoor cuts on offense. Mismash put up 28 points over the course of the weekend, scoring off transition buckets, catch-and-shoot threes, and explosive drives to the basket. Harper is an intriguing prospect with plenty of potential to play at the next level.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/09/Ella-O.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1316427" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1263425' first='Ella' last='Oyesanmi'] – 2029 Forward, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2029 S40   One of a handful of new additions to the Fury's 2029 S40 roster, Oyesanmi (pictured above) put up significant numbers for Tartan in the high school season. The 5'8 forward led the team in multiple stat categories, averaging over 13 points and 10 rebounds per game. Despite being undersized at her position, Ella has some serious strength for her age. She finishes through contact at the rim and is the first to make a hustle play or get on the ground and scramble for a loose ball. Over the weekend Oyesanmi was active on the boards, demonstrated an innate feel for the game, and showed a willingness to extend her game out to the perimeter. She is sure to be a difference-maker for her team this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='653853' first='Peyton' last='Hoffman'] – 2028 Forward, [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 2028 3SSB   With over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her high school career so far, Hoffman is by no means an unknown prospect in the sophomore class. But given that she plays for Climax-Fisher, which is over 250 miles from the Twin Cities, the AAU season gives us ample opportunities to watch her in person. Peyton plays with a unique style. At 6'1, she's taller and significantly stronger than most kids. She's tough, plays physical, and can dominate the post or handle the ball like a guard. The [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] standout can burn opponents on the pick-and-roll, and just as easily get hot from 3. If we had to put a label on Hoffman's game, ‘point-forward' feels like the best way to describe it.   [player_tooltip player_id='667772' first='Greta' last='Kemming'] – 2028 Guard, Crossfire 2028 Lady P32   Kemming is a quintessential point guard. She's fast, sees the floor well, can handle the ball under pressure, and excels at delivering the ball to her teammates in the right place at the right time. At the Midwest Kickoff Classic, the Crossfire floor general brought her characteristic intensity to both ends of the floor. She was a pest on defense. Using her quick lateral movement and even quicker hands, Greta beat players to their spots, created deflections, and anticipated passes. On offense, the Rosemount sophomore facilitated play after play, delivering on backdoor passes and dribble handoffs. Standing at just 5'4, Kemming isn't going to overpower anyone with her size, despite that, she consistently finds ways to make a big impact for her team.

Now in our second week of AAU season coverage, the Midwest Kickoff Classic really set things in motion. With plenty of high-tempo, competitive basketball to watch and warmer weather on the horizon, this is easily one of my favorite times of the year. PGH scouts Grant McGinnis, Tony Ragulen, and I spent most of the weekend at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, along with our new intern, Paxyn Rendahl, who will be working with us this summer. The gym buzzed with excitement all weekend long, and there were plenty of entertaining matchups to watch. Here are six players whose performances really stood out.