2029 AAU State Championship: Top performers

[program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 2029 EYBL captured the 9th grade AAU State Championship on Sunday. Here is our Prep Girls Hoops Most Valuable Player and 10 of the top performers we watched.   MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS   [player_tooltip player_id='897060' first='Madeleine' last='Hamiel'] & [player_tooltip player_id='925046' first='Jordan' last='Staloch'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL   Sometimes it's obvious who the most valuable player is in a basketball game. Other times it's nearly impossible to choose. Sunday's 2029 AAU State Championship game was one of those times. The solution is simple: Pick both. Hamiel and Staloch scored 20 points apiece in Tartan's win over the Fury to lead their team to another title. Both were terrific.   Hamiel continues to prove why she's ranked near the very top of Minnesota's 2029 class. Fresh off a huge high school state tournament run, the Cretin-Derham Hall standout carried that momentum right into AAU play. The gifted guard combines elite athleticism, strength, skill, and nonstop energy with a maturity beyond her years. She plays fast, makes great decisions, competes hard defensively, and in a natural leader. Hamiel already owns a University of Minnesota offer, and judging by her weekend performance, plenty more attention is coming.   Staloch looked every bit like a high-level Division I prospect throughout the weekend. The 6-foot wing from Jordan High School moves with fluidity, runs the floor effortlessly and impacts the game in a variety of categories. Staloch rebounds aggressively, defends with length and anticipation, and gets vertical in a hurry around the basket. Offensively, Staloch's skill level and fundamentals stand out immediately. She plays smooth, under-control basketball while consistently making winning plays. Few players in the class combine her size, athleticism, and versatility.   THE TOP 10   [player_tooltip player_id='1120672' first='Jaycie' last='Helmer'] – 2030 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL   Playing up a year for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'], Helmer looked every bit like the future star that she is. The 5'10 Mounds View guard scored 14 points in the championship game while showcasing elite athleticism, advanced playmaking, and poise beyond her years. Helmer scores at all three levels, passes with precision, and competes relentlessly. Her confidence, timing, and feel for the game are exceptional for a player this young.   [player_tooltip player_id='932145' first='Brielle' last='Denkmann'] – 2029 wing, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] UAA   Denkmann entered the weekend as a top-three prospect in the Class of 2029 and left no doubt as to why. The smooth Wayzata wing led the entire tournament in scoring with 65 points, reaching double figures in every game and dropping 18 in the title matchup. Long, skilled, and polished, she scores effortlessly at all three levels and moves with tremendous fluidity. Denkmann's work ethic and overall skill package continue to separate her from the crowd.   [player_tooltip player_id='994855' first='Izze' last='Austin'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] UAA   Austin was a force all weekend long, piling up 37 points while controlling games with toughness, poise, and leadership. The Minnetonka standout is physically powerful for a guard, nearly impossible to knock off balance, and plays with relentless intensity. She runs the show at a high level, sees the floor beautifully, and consistently delivers in big moments. Austin's combination of skill, toughness, and motor screams high-level prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1233136' first='Korbin' last='Tanner'] – 2029 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue   Tanner's growth over the past year has been impossible to miss. The 6'2 New London-Spicer standout helped [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] finish third while showing off improved mobility, advanced footwork, and growing confidence. Big, strong, and highly productive, Tanner can score facing up or with her back to the basket. Her touch around the rim and physical presence make her one of the toughest matchups in Minnesota's 2029 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='1246847' first='Greta' last='Layton'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue   Layton looked like one of the tournament's true game-changers, scoring 16 points in the third-place win over Fury S40 and bringing nonstop energy throughout the weekend. The Big Lake guard is incredibly athletic, lightning quick, and highly skilled with the basketball. She scores in bunches, pressures opponents defensively, and plays with the poise of a veteran. Layton's intensity and explosiveness make her one of the most exciting guards in the class.   [player_tooltip player_id='994012' first='Taylor' last='Nesvig'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue   Nesvig continued her strong spring with another high-scoring weekend, averaging double figures while impacting the game everywhere. The Hancock guard attacks relentlessly, gets to the free-throw line constantly, and plays with explosive speed and confidence. She brings tremendous energy on both ends, never backs down, and consistently outworks opponents. Nesvig's toughness, skill, and fearless mentality continue to elevate her stock.   [player_tooltip player_id='939004' first='Alysen' last='Purcell'] – 2029 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] UAA   Purcell looks stronger and more confident every game as she continues her return from ACL surgery. The Annandale forward scored 34 points on the weekend while showing improved mobility, physicality, and her trademark competitive fire. Purcell rebounds aggressively, defends with intensity, and brings a powerful inside-out skill set. With forward size and guard skills, she's quickly re-establishing herself as one of the top players in the class.   [player_tooltip player_id='1233100' first='Rinlee' last='Bergan'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Southeast   Bergan arrived late Saturday after a high school softball game in Southeastern, stepped onto the floor, and immediately changed everything. The Lewiston-Altura standout scored 20 points in a thrilling three-point win and averaged over 15 for the tournament. Long, explosive, and incredibly athletic, Bergan gets to the rim almost at will and finishes above defenders with ease. Still relatively new to high-level basketball, she continues to improve at a rapid pace.   [player_tooltip player_id='1246846' first='Nivaya' last='Koles'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] S40   Koles brought her usual intensity and shot-making brilliance to the tournament, scoring 35 points and knocking down seven threes over the weekend. The Lakeville North guard was electric in key wins, combining elite perimeter shooting with relentless defense and nonstop energy. Koles competes for every inch, handles the ball with confidence, and leads with toughness. Few guards in the class impact games on both ends quite like she does.   [player_tooltip player_id='1314500' first='Wynne' last='Birk'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Hersch   Birk was one of the steadiest performers in the tournament, consistently scoring between 9 and 12 points while helping the Stars finish fifth. The long, wiry Eagan guard plays with smoothness and control, using her quick first step and polished jumper to keep defenses stretched. Birk rebounds hard, defends actively, and makes smart decisions with the basketball. Her calm presence and overall versatility continue to impress.

North Tartan 2029 EYBL captured the 9^th grade AAU State Championship on Sunday. Here is our Prep Girls Hoops Most Valuable Player and 10 of the top performers we watched.