Fresh faces we liked at the Battle on the Hardwood

What a difference a year makes. When athletes are still in middle school, all kinds of growth can happen over a relatively short period of time. We were reminded of that this weekend at the [program_tooltip program_id='712697' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] Battle on the Hardwood from the moment 2030 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1268758' first='Gigi' last='Simmons'] stepped on the court at Hope Fieldhouse in Rosemount. I had to double-check my rosters to be sure I was watching the right player because of how much Gigi had changed since last summer. As you can see in the banner photos above, the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Southeast 8th grader is bigger now (photo right) than she was last July (photo left). Much bigger, although the photos don't really do justice to the transformation.   We went looking for fresh faces over the weekend and found several. We'll begin with Simmons, who is bound to be among the leading freshmen when we rank the Class of 2030 for the first time in the fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1268758' first='Gigi' last='Simmons'] – 2030 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Southeast   Simmons captured our attention last summer and left the impression that she has the potential to play Division 1 college basketball. This weekend's scrutiny of her in a pair of contests merely confirmed our initial thoughts. Now about 5'11, the big guard has the type of frame college coaches covet as well as a level of athleticism that immediately separates her from most 8th graders. Quite frankly, there were stretches of play where Gigi simply outmuscled and overpowered everyone else on the floor.   What I love most is that Gigi plays with personality. She's vocal. She wears her heart on her sleeve. There's a certain swagger to Simmons' game, and just enough edge to let opponents know they're in for a battle. Simmons wants the ball in her hands when things get tight, which is exactly what happened late in a close game we watched. After not making much from distance throughout the game – she took good shots that just weren't falling – Simmons buried a deep three with the contest on the line, forced a turnover and scored at the rim immediately thereafter, and took control of the outcome. She had 24 points in a 57-54 win over Team Wisconsin.   Like many elite young athletes, Gigi is still refining the balance between attacking and creating for others. That's normal. When you're stronger, faster and more explosive than everyone around you, the temptation is to put the cape on and do it all yourself. The encouraging part is that Simmons already shows the instincts, feel and versatility to score from all three levels while impacting the game defensively with steals, deflections and hustle plays.   The pedigree certainly doesn't hurt. Her father, Oliver Simmons, was a two-time Mr. Basketball in Tennessee and a member of Kentucky's 1995 NCAA national championship team. The athletic gifts are obvious. So is the competitive fire. Clearly Gigi has a long way to go in the maturity department, and her skills will continue to improve, but this is a prospect with a big future.   Aubrey Borgos – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']   One of several 2028s playing up for the [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] 2027 squad, Borgos caught my attention with the way she controlled the game. The Underwood guard was a primary ball-handler for her team when we watched while averaging more than nine points per game during the tournament. Lean, long, and vocal, she plays with confidence and keeps her teammates organized. I liked her shooting mechanics, particularly from beyond the arc, and she looked comfortable creating with the ball in her hands. Aubrey is a player worth keeping an eye on.   [player_tooltip player_id='1866010' first='Ella' last='Hruby'] – 2029 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='774653' first='Minnesota' last='Bobcats']   Even though it was a difficult weekend for the Bobcats, Hruby left a positive impression. At 6'2, the Prior Lake forward has legitimate size, long arms, and moves better than many players her height. What stood out most was her composure. She rarely seemed rushed, taking time to read the floor and make smart decisions. Hruby finishes well in transition, protects the rim, and understands how to use her size around the basket. There's a quiet confidence to her game that's easy to appreciate. There's definite upside here.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/06/Harper-Olness-crop-3858x2534-1780585209.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1866018" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1826477' first='Harper' last='Olness'] – 2030 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']   Olness is the type of young post prospect who immediately makes you think about the future. Already around 6-foot with a sturdy frame, she looks like she'll continue growing into an impressive college build. The New London-Spicer forward runs the floor exceptionally well, works hard without the ball, and uses her size effectively around the basket. Her finishing ability has improved noticeably since the last time I watched her. Harper is in the early stages of her development but she has a ton of potential.   Delilah Mackenthun – 2029 guard, Minnesota Swish   On a team made up primarily of junior varsity players, Mackenthun wasted no time setting herself apart from the crowd. Less than a minute into the game she split two defenders, elevated, and finished softly at the rim with a move that looked well beyond her years. Playing up a year with Minnesota Swish, the Hutchinson guard stood out with her athleticism, length, and fluid movement. She gets past defenders more easily than you'd expect and has a sneaky ability to rise above traffic. This is a fascinating prospect who deserves more attention.   Ally Hoehne – 2030 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712697' first='MN' last='Crossfire']   Hoehne runs the show with a maturity that stands out in a young point guard. The Southwest Christian athlete serves as Crossfire's primary ball handler on coach Linda Schuck's team and consistently makes thoughtful decisions with the basketball. Her eyes are always up, looking for passing angles and opportunities to involve teammates. I especially liked her patience. Ally rarely appeared hurried, preferring to let plays develop naturally. Ally's mom was a great athlete and her older sister is a quality prospect, as well. There's no reason to think she won't be great, too.

What a difference a year makes. When athletes are still in middle school, all kinds of growth can happen over a relatively short period of time. We were reminded of that this weekend at the MN Crossfire Battle on the Hardwood from the moment 2030 guard Gigi Simmons Gigi Simmons 5'7" | CG Stewartville | 2030 MN stepped on the court at Hope Fieldhouse in Rosemount. I had to double-check my rosters to be sure I was watching the right player because of how much Gigi had changed since last summer. As you can see in the banner photos above, the North Tartan Southeast 8^th grader is bigger now (photo right) than she was last July (photo left). Much bigger, although the photos don't really do justice to the transformation.