South Dakota's Standouts at the Summer Jam

If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. It's that simple. At the annual Summer Jam AAU tournament in the Twin Cities – a 400-team extravaganza held over the weekend in Shakopee – some of South Dakota's top performers more than measured up against elite talent from across the Midwest. Here are some highlights and standouts from the tournament hosted by North Tartan.   TOP TEAMS   [program_tooltip program_id='1246823' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] 17U Black came within two points of capturing the Cass Lake division title, falling 49-47 to North Tartan 2027 EYBL in a nailbiter. I've watched Sanford's best incoming seniors numerous times this AAU season but this game – the entire weekend, really – they were truly at their best. Led by University of South Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='892385' first='Marlee' last='Falcon'] and South Dakota State signee [player_tooltip player_id='802006' first='Ruby' last='Moore'], Sanford delivered wins over the best teams from Minnesota Rise, Minnesota Stars and a loaded Minnesota Fury UAA squad to reach Sunday's finale.   Falcon averaged 15 points per game including a 26-point performance against the Stars that featured 8 three-point baskets. Maryn Frankyn of Sioux Center, Iowa scored 22 against the Rise. [player_tooltip player_id='1058611' first='Leah' last='Landry'] of Rapid City Central averaged 10 points per game for the weekend.   The Tartan 17U squad includes one of the top post prospects in the country in Sahara Wilson along with D1 commits Lyla Hentges (St. Thomas), Maren Day (South Dakota State), Kate Arnold (South Dakota), [player_tooltip player_id='555487' first='Jordan' last='Christofferson'] (North Dakota State) and four more top 10 prospects from Minnesota. They are among the best teams on the EYBL circuit. In other words, a formidable opponent.   Sanford's 16U Black also went 3-1 on the weekend. So did their 15U and 14U Black teams. [program_tooltip program_id='747557' first='Team' last='Warwick'] 17U McCallum also finished 3-1 to capture third place in their division as did [program_tooltip program_id='747557' first='Team' last='Warwick'] 16U Parish. [program_tooltip program_id='747557' first='Team' last='Warwick'] 15U Skye's only loss was to North Tartan EYBL in the top 9th grade division. [program_tooltip program_id='1819826' first='Hoop' last='City'] 16U was also 3-1, falling to Tartan's EYCL squad in the championship game. [player_tooltip player_id='1093241' first='Rorie' last='Thoreson'] of Dell Rapids averaged just under 20 points per game in the tournament while [player_tooltip player_id='929571' first='Morgan' last='Sheppard'] of Flandreau scored 52 on the weekend.   Here are some individual standouts at Summer Jam.    Every time I watch Moore play, I come away with the same conclusion: this is what a point guard is supposed to look like. The Sioux Falls O'Gorman standout and South Dakota State commit controlled the action all weekend, setting the pace and putting teammates in position to succeed. Ruby's handle remains one of the best you'll find anywhere, and her feel for the game is so instinctual. She plays with an even temperament, but don't mistake that for a lack of competitiveness. Moore is relentless when it comes to winning. She can score from anywhere on the floor, shoots it well from deep, and consistently makes the right decision. Simply put, she's a true floor general. Ruby averaged 12.5 points per game at Summer Jam as the 17U Black squad put together an outstanding run.     At some point, excellence stops being surprising and simply becomes the expectation. That's where Meyer is right now. After outstanding performances at the University of St. Thomas camp and the Sanford Combine last week, she followed up with another terrific weekend in the Twin Cities. Meyer averaged over a dozen points per game in the tournament. The 6-foot O'Gorman standout combines length, athleticism, and versatility in a package that continues to impress. Ellie rebounds, protects the rim, handles the ball, and finishes with a deft touch around the basket. She also competes with an edge that elevates everything she does. We try not to write about the same players too often, but when someone consistently performs at this level, it's impossible not to take notice again.     O'Neill's performance in the top 16U division served as another reminder that elite athleticism changes everything. The Bennett County standout – a track star who could probably play just about any sport she wanted at a high level – finished second in scoring behind North Dakota standout [player_tooltip player_id='555488' first='Lakyn' last='Donnelly'], pouring in 63 points over four games while routinely overwhelming opponents with her combination of strength, bounce, and body control. At 6 feet tall, Peyson possesses the type of athletic profile that coaches dream about. She elevates effortlessly, powers through opponents of all types, and has the length to defend virtually anyone on the floor. Coming from one of South Dakota's most athletic families, the pedigree is obvious. The production is, too. It's difficult to project just how high Peyson's ceiling really is.     Pictured above, Stark spent the weekend playing with a protective mask, which can be awkward for any player. It didn't slow her down one bit. In fact, the Sioux Falls O'Gorman guard continued her rapid ascent with another strong weekend. What I appreciate most about Jaylyn is her motor. She simply doesn't stop competing. Pushing 6 feet with excellent length and mobility, Stark impacts games in a variety of ways. She runs the floor hard, finishes with either hand, rebounds with purpose, and willingly defends multiple positions. The physicality of the game never seems to bother her, either. A relatively late starter in high-level competitive basketball, Stark's development trajectory is impressive. Every time I watch her, I leave more convinced that there's a great deal more to come.     Some players lead with statistics. Van Laecken leads with energy, voice, and competitive fire, although she also finished among the top 10 scorers in the premier 15U division at Summer Jam. The Tea guard is always communicating, encouraging, and directing traffic, making her presence felt well beyond the box score. I love her confidence as a shooter. Every shot she takes looks like she expects it to go in. Jayna also defends with a level of intensity that stands out immediately, competing hard and making life difficult for opposing guards. Long, lean, and athletic, she rebounds well for her size and consistently plays bigger than her listed height. Perhaps most importantly, she has improved a lot over time and that trajectory appears far from complete. Warwick went 3-1 on the weekend with their only loss being to tournament winners North Tartan EYBL.

If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. It's that simple. At the annual Summer Jam AAU tournament in the Twin Cities – a 400-team extravaganza held over the weekend in Shakopee – some of South Dakota's top performers more than measured up against elite talent from across the Midwest. Here are some highlights and standouts from the tournament hosted by North Tartan.