2030 AAU State Championships: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] 2030 Blue captured the 8th grade AAU State Championships on Sunday. Here is our Prep Girls Hoops Most Valuable Player and 10 top performers. Selections were made solely from teams that made the final four.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOST VALUABLE PLAYER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] – [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undoubtedly, Retzlaff (pictured above) is the engine for [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']'s 2030 Blue squad. The 5'9 guard out of Hillcrest Lutheran in Fergus Falls has been one of the most productive youngsters in the state in recent years, averaging significant numbers for the Comets in the high school season and always stepping up to the plate in big games. Elin's ability to consistently meet the moment is something we don't often see in players this age. She finished the weekend as the overall scoring leader in D1, with 55 points in four games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the opening tip of this year's AAU State Tournament, Retzlaff set the tone for her team. She was aggressive in her attempts to score, made smart decisions when the ball was in her hands, and brought a high level of compete on defense. Most importantly, she is an unselfish teammate who relishes in the success of those around her. Elin's blue-collar, selfless mentality reverberated through the team all weekend, allowing [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] to capture their first ever D1 AAU State Tournament championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE TOP 5</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1243302' first='Lily' last='Wesen'] – [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We could have flipped a coin when choosing the MVP for [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']'s championship win, that's how close it was. Wesen's performance on Sunday afternoon was some of the best basketball we've seen from the Albany 8th grader. Lily was aggressive attacking the rim, made smart decisions with the ball in her hands, and was a serious threat as a perimeter defender. Her burst of second-half scoring gave West Central the push they needed when it mattered most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1559037' first='Kali' last='Schultz'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schultz's presence on the floor was palpable in [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']'s semifinal and championship game matchups. The 5'5 guard from Delano is a vocal teammate on both ends of the court and is a true coach on the floor. Kali steps when the team needs a staunch defender or a quick bucket, and holds both herself and her teammates to a high standard of play. In the semifinal against The North 3SSB, Schultz' leadership and tenacity were crucial for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623342' first='Hayden' last='Tyler'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Orono 8th grader led [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL in the scoring column this weekend, putting up 39 points in four games, finishing top 10 in scoring in the division. Tyler exploded downhill to the rim, finishing through heavy contact and earning many trips to the free throw line. Hayden's quickness, length, and overall athleticism were tremendous assets for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'], particularly on the boards and in transition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1418505' first='Marianna' last='Davis'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] The North 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis brought her A-game on both ends of the floor this weekend. On offense, Marianna's ability to seal her defenders and finish through contact was a major boost for The North 3SSB. On defense, the Hopkins 8th grader was on another level. With tremendous length and the ability to alter shots at the rim, Davis racked up a number of blocks down low, scaring off any opponents looking to set foot in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1126138' first='Jaya' last='Taylor'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] The North 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt that Taylor can put points on the board. Lightning quick and crafty with the ball in her hands, the 5'6 guard out of Fargo is a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. Jaya excels at getting downhill and finishing at the rim, often putting her defenders in a spin-cycle along the way. She finished the weekend with 53 points in four games, including a 20-point performance against the [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] in Friday's first round matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE NEXT 5&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256277' first='Tenlee' last='Egan'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If it weren't for Egan's contributions on the defensive end in Sunday's semifinal, the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL squad may not have advanced to the championship game. Light on her feet and remarkably quick, Tenlee was able to go toe-to-toe with The North 3SSB's backcourt, face guarding her opponent for 94 feet. Egan's tenacity on defense, plus some key free throws down the stretch, gave her team the edge they needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1802883' first='Paycen' last='Rutgers'] – [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutgers was a reliable contributor for [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] all weekend long. The New London-Spicer guard played hard on every possession, generated deflections and turnovers on the defensive end, and produced timely, impactful plays down the stretch in the championship game. Paycen consistently knows where to be on the court, who to pass the ball to for an open look, and when to look for her own shot. A relentless force on the glass as well, Rutgers is the Swiss Army knife for West Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1856442' first='Malaya' last='Freeman'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] The North 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calm and even-keeled on the court, Freeman has been a consistent contributor for The North 3SSB all season. She's reliable on the defensive end, a skilled rebounder, and always knows where to be. Malaya's poise and ability to finish through contact at the rim were keys for the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] squad at the AAU State Tournament. While she doesn't jump out as the flashiest or fastest player on the court, the East Ridge 8th grader always finds a way to create an impact for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819672' first='Harper' last='Mortensen'] – [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Johnson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We first wrote about Mortensen last week, after she gave multiple stand out performances at the State Prelims. This weekend she stepped up to the plate again, leading [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Johnson to a semifinal run. The 6'1 post led the team in scoring with 49 points in four games. With a repertoire of post moves and the ability to finish with either hand at the rim, Harper's size and mobility made her a difficult matchup for most opponents at the State Tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1718093' first='Cambree' last='Phillips'] – [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Johnson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just behind Mortensen in the scoring column, Phillips averaged 11 points per game over the weekend. Lightning quick with the ball in her hands, the Minot North 8th grader was one of the most explosive players we watched at the State Tournament. Cambree finds most of her offense at the rim, weaving through defenders with a tight handle and shifty footwork. The lefty point guard is a capable shooter from three, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->