Tony's Takes: State Prelims, Part 2

The classes of 2027 and 2028 are starting to make noise, and this early stretch of the AAU season has already given us a glimpse of what's coming. These players aren't just filling roles, they're producing, competing, and finding ways to impact games against strong competition. Whether it's scoring, defending, or doing the little things that lead to wins, this group is showing they belong.   With the AAU State Tournament up next, the stage only gets bigger. It's a great tune-up with the live period right around the corner, giving these players a chance to build momentum and confidence. For this group, it's about staying consistent and proving they can deliver when the lights are brightest. The opportunity is there to turn heads and keep building toward those next level looks.   Here are six more players we liked at the AAU State Prelims.   [player_tooltip player_id='901096' first='Katherine' last='Whited'] - guard 2028, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] S40   Whited is as fast with the ball in her hands as most players are without it. She gets up and down the court in a blur, but still plays under control. The ball does not stick with her. She moves it with purpose and keeps the offense flowing. During the Prelims, she picked her spots well and never forced the issue. Offensively, she scored from all three levels, knocking down at least one triple in all three games. As good as she was with the ball, I thought she brought even more energy on the defensive end. Whited averaged just under 7 points per game for Edina this past winter. With another year of growth, she should be a key factor heading into her junior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='992423' first='Nia' last='Mackori'] - guard, 2028, [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite']   Active hands, strong instincts, and a solid base make the guard out of Shakopee tough to deal with on the defensive end. Pictured above, Mackori has a real feel for timing, knowing exactly when to dig in and disrupt, getting her hands in passing lanes and creating deflections that threw offenses off rhythm. That presence was needed, and she delivered. On the other end, she was just as effective. Nia averaged just over 13 points per game during the prelims and shot it with confidence, knocking down nine threes across three games. When she's playing with that kind of rhythm from the outside, it changes everything. With her defensive impact and ability to stretch the floor, she's shaping up to be a major piece moving forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='918649' first='Reese' last='Keating'] - guard 2028, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYCL ETS   Keating can get downhill with the best of them and finish at the rim with either hand. She showed that consistently during the Prelims, attacking gaps and converting through contact. What stood out even more to me was her intent as a passer. She made a clear effort to get the ball inside, and when her post had position, she delivered it on time. That says a lot about how she sees the floor. You don't always see that in today's game, where a lot of guards are wired to score first. She understands balance and how to play through others. Keating was a key part of Chanhassen's high school state tournament run, appearing in all 30 games. She's trending in the right direction.   [player_tooltip player_id='1177343' first='Jacey' last='Bryan'] - guard 2027, [program_tooltip program_id='767539' first='Minnesota' last='Comets'] Hoelscher   Bryan never played the score, she played the game. Two of the three games were decided early, but she stayed the course while others may have hunted numbers. She moved the ball, defended like her hair was on fire, and stayed active on both ends. The first half against the Heat ended with her knocking down a deep three at the buzzer after sliding into an open spot off an offensive rebound. That was par for the course. The St. Michael-Albertville guard averaged just over 17 points per game in the Prelims and got it done on both sides of the court. Her handle is tight, her jumper is clean, and she competes from start to finish no matter the score.   [player_tooltip player_id='1236881' first='Samantha' last='Konz'] - guard 2027, [program_tooltip program_id='756457' first='Opportunity' last='Basketball'] North   The offers are starting to roll in for Konz, and it's easy to see why. The Morris Area guard continues to pick up traction after another strong showing. Her squad ran into a buzz saw against [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL, but Konz never backed down from the challenge. She handled pressure, stayed poised, and kept attacking from start to finish. That's who she is as a player. She'll lace them up against anybody and compete without blinking. The numbers only tell part of the story with her. She's an extension of the coaching staff on the floor, constantly communicating, settling things down, and putting teammates in the right spots. What she brings to the game can't always be measured in stats, but you feel the impact every possession.   Michelle Ladu - 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYCL Metro   There's a lot to like about Ladu. She's long, athletic, and still raw, but the upside is easy to see. If you watched her this past winter at Rochester John Marshall, you already know the 2028 prospect has a high ceiling. At times, it looks like she glides up and down the floor. Playing on a loaded [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] squad means touches can be limited, but Ladu makes the most of her chances. She can get downhill, slip through tight gaps, and she has a nice outside shot to keep defenders honest. She still needs to get stronger and tighten up her handle, but the tools are there. Defensively, her length makes her tough to get around. Even when she gets beat, she recovers quickly to alter or block shots. When Ladu gets in rhythm, she can change the game on both ends.

The classes of 2027 and 2028 are starting to make noise, and this early stretch of the AAU season has already given us a glimpse of what's coming. These players aren't just filling roles, they're producing, competing, and finding ways to impact games against strong competition. Whether it's scoring, defending, or doing the little things that lead to wins, this group is showing they belong.