Live at the Lakes: Unsigned upperclassmen, part 3

NCAA Live Periods are important for college basketball prospects. With plenty of coaches watching from the baseline, Live at the Lakes gave players the opportunity to strut their stuff, regardless of what level they are aiming for post-high school. Among those who delivered when it counted, was 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='935886' first='Ellie' last='Meyer']. In part 3 of this week's series, let's take a look at Ellie and six other unsigned upperclassmen who stood out over the weekend.    Meyer looks like a serious next-level prospect with all of the attributes necessary to succeed. The 6-footer from O'Gorman has terrific length, handles the ball comfortably, and attacks the basket aggressively. What really impressed me was her toughness. She battled 6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='644896' first='Logan' last='Miller'] of the top Fury 2028 squad possession after possession and more than held her own. That competitiveness jumps out. Meyer elevates well around the rim, finishes softly with either hand, and plays with a fighter's mentality. Ellie had a productive weekend, including a 20-point performance against Warwick. Clearly the Augustana staff also liked what they saw because they made an offer to the home-town prospect at the conclusion of the weekend.     A sturdy and confident presence is shown when she's on the floor, Sicard's ability to contest her opponents, whether they have the ball or not, brings her court awareness up to another level. She is strong when the ball is given to her on the 3-point line, or when she is down low in the paint. Sicard, who plays on the Fury's S40 squad, strives to bring in contact when going into the bottom block for a layup or step-back bucket. The East Ridge guard plays with a unique intensity, making her a valuable and durable player on the court.     Skonhovd really caught my attention with the way she attacked the game. The West Central guard plays with pace, confidence, and the mentality of someone who simply refuses to back down. She's long, lean, athletic, and effective getting downhill to the basket. Mackenzie demonstrated effectively that she has the ability to finish smoothly at the basket even after taking hard contact. She elevates really well and seems comfortable making plays at full speed. Skonhovd can also knock down perimeter shots consistently, showing she can stretch defenses from deep. More than anything, though, I appreciated her competitiveness. She plays hard all the time and never seems to quit on a possession. That kind of mentality tends to translate well in college.     The non-stop work ethic Stern showcases leads her teammates to trust her with the ball. The 6-footer from Maple Grove can shoot on the 3-point arc at any given time, but can also level herself down in the lane when given the opportunity. The Suns S40 standout is not afraid of the challenge on offense, especially during close games. During a high-pressure game at the Live at the Lakes tournament, we saw Stern remain calm while also amping up her team's energy with nice on-ball and off-ball movement, which eventually led them to take over the game and win.      Hailing from Maple Grove, James is definitely a clutch shooter, who always seems to be ready to receive the ball. When the ball finds her hands, Monet's shooting form is consistent with a quick release and nice mechanics. James is also a quality ballhandler who can withstand defensive pressure, which she did well during a close-scoring game when we watched. With the ball in her hands, James will take it full-on to the basket. She's definitely not afraid of receiving contact and appears to relish the opportunity to get to the free throw line.      Hofer was one of the steadier, more productive players I watched. The Freeman product, who scored 45 points in four games, has great length, long strides, and the type of athleticism that makes her effective in a lot of different ways. She rebounds well, protects the paint, and consistently helps her team get stops defensively. Offensively, I liked the versatility. Hofer can step out and make jump shots, score inside, and comfortably play multiple positions depending on the matchup. She moves well for her size and carries herself with confidence on the floor. You can also see the track and field background in the way she runs and covers ground.     Playmaker alert! Walker stops at nothing until she knows the ball is going through the hoop. Her overwhelming presencetends to take over the game. Offensively, the guard from Proctor was setting screens and working hard off the ball. When the ball was in Walker's hands, she drove to the basket without hesitation. Her quick tempo game sets the tone for the team and propels them to remain competitive throughout. On the defensive end, she is constantly going for the ball and does not hesitate to get on the ground and fight for possession.    PGH intern Paxyn Rendahl contributed to the Minnesota evaluations.

NCAA Live Periods are important for college basketball prospects. With plenty of coaches watching from the baseline, Live at the Lakes gave players the opportunity to strut their stuff, regardless of what level they are aiming for post-high school. Among those who delivered when it counted, was 2028 prospect Ellie Meyer Ellie Meyer 6'0" | CG/PF Sioux Falls O'Gorman | 2028 State SD . In part 3 of this week's series, let's take a look at Ellie and six other unsigned upperclassmen who stood out over the weekend.