Fresh Faces at the AAU State Prelims, part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While I spent most of my time at the AAU State Prelims hunting for new prospects among the incoming freshmen class, six of whom were covered in part 1, Sunday presented the opportunity to check out some of the other age divisions. There was plenty of talent to be found across the board, and with so much depth among the 2030s, it was impossible to squeeze them all into one story. Here are two more 2030s to check out, one 7th grader to keep an eye on, and a few freshmen who've raised their game since we last saw them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MORE 2030s TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1273699"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69fbe2598c985"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown (pictured above) may be the secret weapon for the [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] 2030 Blue squad this season. While she hasn't received nearly as much fanfare as teammates <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1239229' first='Ehlin' last='Youngberg']</strong>, the 6'0 shooting guard is impossible to ignore. With tremendous length and mobility, plus a strong frame, Scarlett is able to guard any position one through five. She's a proficient ball handler, can knock down shots from distance with a textbook release, and can just as easily score off the bounce. What particularly impressed us about Brown was her stoicism. Scarlett plays with an incredibly even-keeled demeanor, allowing her to weather the storms of a close matchup without batting an eye. Smooth and highly athletic, this Alexandria 8th grader has all the tools to make it to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1819672"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69fbe2598c9ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Johnson post was one of the most intriguing prospects we watched all weekend. Standing at 6-foot-1, Mortensen isn't necessarily the quickest or flashiest player on the court, but is incredibly effective for her team. With steady hands and solid footwork around the rim, Harper is a formidable presence in the paint. She finds most of her offense on the low block where she is able to back her defenders down and finish with a soft touch at the rim. Hailing from North Shore Plaza high school in Plaza, North Dakota, the Wildcats 9th grader finished with 38 points in four games at the State Prelims. In addition to her scoring, Mortensen impressed with her court vision and passing abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ENTERING THE DISCUSSION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Anna Tibesar","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2031","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69fbe2598ca7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze'] forward gave us plenty to take notice of on Sunday morning, thanks to a game-high 18 point performance against [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']. Tibesar, who stands somewhere around the 5'8 mark, runs the floor with ease, has a solid fundamental skillset, and has the strength to handle plenty of physical contact. Only a 7th grader, Anna showed an innate feel for the game. She makes moves well off the ball, spaces the floor, and makes smart decisions with the ball in her hands. Though she can play in the paint or out on the perimeter, Tibesar excels at scoring on drives to the basket. Using her strength to her advantage, Anna plays off two feet and consistently finishes through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOVING THE NEEDLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Siri Viger","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Southwest Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Nine25 Basketball Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69fbe2598cad1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Having made significant strides in her game since we last watched over the winter, Viger was a key component for Nine25 Basketball Academy over the weekend. The 5'11 forward did all the little things. She created movement off the ball, set well-timed screens, crashed the glass, and used her length to be a disruptor on defense. Siri found her shot in transition, using crafty footwork to maneuver around defenders on her way to the basket. On defense the Southwest Christian freshman's energy and willingness to get her hands dirty was a major asset for her team. Viger fought tirelessly for rebounds, wrestled for jump balls, and consistently outworked her opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Preslie Hunter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mayer Lutheran","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Nine25 Basketball Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69fbe2598cb30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bringing ample length to the team's backcourt, Hunter helped lead the Nine 25 15U squad to a spot in the top division at the upcoming AAU State Championships. Standing somewhere around 5'10, Preslie glides across the floor with long strides and plenty of speed to match. When the ball is in her hands, the Mayer Lutheran 9th grader gets downhill with a quick first step, blowing by defenders on her way to the rim. On the other end of the floor, Hunter's long arms and active hands give her a distinct advantage on defense, allowing her to get in passing lanes and grab rebounds over her opponents. Certainly a player to watch this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Peyton Steele","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Byron","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69fbe2598cb8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steele's intensity and aggression are noticeable as soon as she steps on the floor. The [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] guard is tough, plays with a high-revving motor, and isn't afraid of a little physicality. Standing at 5'8 with a strong, well-built frame, Peyton is deceptively quick. She attacks the paint with a full head of steam, and is able to absorb contact from defenders at the rim. Though the Byron 9th grader found most of her offense on the drive at the State Prelims, Steele also showcased a high-arcing three-point shot. In addition to her scoring abilities, Peyton is a tenacious on-ball defender who consistently hunts for an opportunity to get her hands on the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->