2031 AAU State Championships: Top performers

[program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 2031 Nike captured the 7th 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 since that's what we were able to see.   MOST VALUABLE PLAYER   [player_tooltip player_id='1354631' first='Kendra' last='Lynch'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Nike   If you asked ChatGPT to design you a point guard, the AI gods might just spit out a floor general like Kendra. OK, they might add a little height to the package. Other than that, Lynch plays the position exactly the way it's supposed to be played. She just does everything at the highest possible level. Tiny but mighty, small but strong, young in age but mature in how she plays, Lynch controlled the tournament from start to finish with poise, toughness, and elite skill.   The Northfield guard is a fearless attacking bigger defenders, crafty enough to out-think opponents, and quick enough to leave them flat-footed with 0-60 burst that's as quick as you'd like. Her handle is exceptional, her pull-up jumper is deadly, and she can bury shots from deep or float one softly over the trees. Defensively, she competes like crazy and never backs down. What stands out most is Kendra's on-court maturity. Nothing rattles her. The game always seems to move at her pace, never the other way around. Add in an unparalled work ethic and it's easy to understand how Lynch earned MVP honors.   THE TOP 5   [player_tooltip player_id='1598893' first='Harper' last='Bigalke'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Nike   Bigalke's combination of length, skill, and ease of movement makes her an intriguing young prospect. The 5'11 wing began carving out a role on St. Michael-Albertville's varsity this winter and looked completely comfortable competing against older players. Against her own age she is special. Harper embraces physicality, rebounds relentlessly, and brings consistent energy on both ends of the floor. This is a player with substantial upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612422' first='Claire' last='Pilgrim'] – [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue   Pilgrim already looks like a seasoned varsity player despite her youth. She scores naturally, defends with real passion, and plays the game at a high pace without losing control. Strong for her age with good size and speed, Claire impacts every contest in a variety of ways. She shoots it well, understands the game, and consistently makes smart plays. Just as importantly, she carries herself like a leader every time she steps on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1851536' first='Anna' last='Tibesar'] – [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze']   Tibesar followed a nice State Prelims performance with an even better showing at the State Championships. The versatile young prospect has good size, runs the floor well, and plays with strong fundamentals and a natural feel for the game. She moves intelligently without the ball, makes smart decisions, and can impact the game inside or on the perimeter. Strong for her age, Tibesar finishes through contact and consistently plays under control off two feet.   Kade Huppert – [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Blue   Ellsworth, Wisconsin is regionally renowned for its outstanding cheese curds. For now. It might not be long before the precocious Huppert sisters become the toast of the town. We never get tired of watching Kade work. The uber-athletic guard is the Fury's alpha dog, a wisp of a thing whose ball-handling ability, rapid-fire feet, and basketball IQ make her special. She is an intense competitor who's on court vocals and natural leadership abilities shine through regularly. Baller!   [player_tooltip player_id='1571904' first='Laina' last='Donnelly'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Blue   Donnelly's skill level stands out immediately. The younger sister of West Fargo Horace standout [player_tooltip player_id='555488' first='Lakyn' last='Donnelly'] plays with pace, confidence, and a polished all-around game that reflects the work she's clearly put in. She handles the ball well, sees the floor, and is learning how to run a team at a high level. Quick feet and solid straight-line speed allow her to pressure defenses, while her nonstop effort makes her effective on both ends of the floor.   THE NEXT 5   [player_tooltip player_id='1243759' first='Adriana' last='Barsky'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Blue   Barsky was one of the tournament's most dangerous scorers, piling up points from all over the floor. The 5'4 Providence Academy guard can score at all three levels, knocking down catch-and-shoot threes, or creating her own shot off the bounce. She has deep range, a smooth floater, and enough quickness to keep defenders guessing. Barsky also showed quality ball-handling skills and the ability to make smart passes in traffic.   [player_tooltip player_id='1234970' first='Annie' last='Setterstrom'] – [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze']   It felt like every loose ball or key possession somehow involved Setterstrom. The St. Croix Prep standout brings good size, athleticism, and a high-energy approach that impacts winning. She moves well, battles physically inside, and consistently puts herself around the basketball. Setterstrom also showed poise in pressure moments, calmly knocking down big free throws late against the Fury. After already earning varsity minutes on a 20-win team this winter, her confidence and overall presence continue to grow.   Kadence Reif-Edwards – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Nike   Reif-Edwards is the type of young prospect who jumps out at you almost immediately. Strong, athletic, and already physically imposing, she plays with nonstop energy and always seems to be around the basketball. Kadence runs the floor well, elevates easily, and competes hard on every possession. Offensively she wants the ball and isn't afraid to attack, while defensively her size and movement create problems for opponents. She's still developing, but the ceiling here is obvious.   [player_tooltip player_id='1718096' first='Ashlynne' last='Max'] – [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue   Max already carries herself like a seasoned scorer. The North Dakota guard is crafty, slippery with the basketball, and plays with the kind of confidence you can't teach. She handles pressure well, makes smart decisions, and consistently finds ways to create offense for herself and others. Max can shoot it from outside, attack off the bounce, and change directions quickly enough to keep defenders off balance. Considering she already earned regular varsity minutes at Wahpeton as a 7th grader, the long-term upside is exciting.   Makayla Neumiller – [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] Blue   After standing out at the State Prelims, Neumiller backed it up again with another strong weekend. The North Dakota guard is an explosive athlete with light feet, strong shooting ability, and a confident attacking mindset. She scores naturally, plays aggressively, and consistently pressures defenses with her quickness and energy. Defensively she competes hard and moves well laterally, while offensively she can score from multiple spots on the floor. Like her older sister [player_tooltip player_id='1246815' first='Macey' last='Neumiller'], Makayla looks like a prospect with significant upside.

North Tartan 2031 Nike captured the 7^th 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 since that's what we were able to see.