Upperclassmen we liked at the Dakota Challenge

The clock is ticking for South Dakota's Class of 2027 as they enter the home stretch of their high school and AAU careers. For the 2028s, this is an important time to get on the radar of college coaches just prior to their junior year. We were watching the upperclassmen this past weekend at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls as Sanford Sports hosted the Dakota Challenge. Here are five upperclassmen who distinguished themselves at the event.   [player_tooltip player_id='929565' first='Lauren' last='Minion'] – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='1246823' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy']   I think the reverse layup is one of the most difficult plays to execute in the game of basketball. It is seldom completed properly and rarely turns out the way the player with the ball wants it to. That's why I was so impressed when Minion executed a perfect reverse layup through traffic. early on when I watched. From that point forward, I found myself paying closer attention. The Brandon Valley guard isn't the biggest player on the floor, but she consistently finds solutions to the problems presented. Lauren has a terrific feel for the game, handles the ball with confidence, and always seems to know where the next opening is going to appear. Her Euro-step is effective, her footwork is clever, and she changes directions with ease. I also liked her defensive activity. She creates turnovers, pushes pace, and turns defense into offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1223377' first='Olivia' last='Hanson'] – 2027 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='747557' first='Team' last='Warwick']   Hanson has a presence about her that is impossible to ignore. At 6-foot with long arms and a sturdy frame, the Viborg-Hurley forward immediately commands attention when she steps on the floor. What impressed me most was how effectively Olivia used her size without forcing the action. She battles for position, secures rebounds, and once she establishes space underneath is very difficult to dislodge from the neighborhood. There is a quiet confidence to her game. She rarely appears rattled and maintains a steady demeanor regardless of circumstances. An accomplished volleyball and track athlete, Hanson moves well for her size and works tirelessly away from the ball. The effort level and natural physicality will carry her at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1266845' first='Sophia' last='Kudrna'] – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='1157999' first='Ambush' last='Basketball']   I first saw Sophia at an Ambush workout in Mount Vernon last month and there was just something different about her. She was there to work and that's what she did. It wasn't flashy. It wasn't particularly smooth. But there was something that intrigued me about what I saw from Kudrna. This weekend at the Pentagon I saw more of the same and I liked it. The Castlewood junior-to-be plays with a relentless motor and seems determined to squeeze every ounce out of every possession. At around 5'11, she has good length, athleticism, and the versatility to impact the game in a variety of ways. Sophia attacks aggressively, elevates well around the basket, and showed touch with both a floater and a smooth baseline jumper. What really stood out was her activity level. She reads the game well, jumps passing lanes, and consistently puts herself in productive positions. If Kudrna keeps working she could be a solid collegian.   [player_tooltip player_id='929566' first='Jersey' last='Peterson'] – 2028 post, [program_tooltip program_id='1246823' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy']   Size always gets your attention, and Peterson certainly has plenty of it. The Sioux Falls Washington post stands 6-foot-1 but looks much bigger. Her arms are long, her frame is strong and she has the type of dimensions that college coaches are constantly searching for. This was probably the third time I've watched Jersey since I started scouting South Dakota talent this spring and she's definitely getting better. What I appreciated most this time was how comfortable she looked on the court. Jersey established position, rebounded with purpose, and battled effectively against quality competition, including an entertaining matchup with big Taya Johnson (Luverne, MN) from [program_tooltip program_id='1819826' first='Hoop' last='City']. She showed off three-point ability, too. Defensively, her upside is real. She moves her feet well, alters shots, and has a natural feel for timing around the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='731180' first='Berkley' last='Ziebart'] – 2027 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='1246823' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy']   I've seen Ziebart before, but this was easily my favorite look. The Parkston guard seemed more engaged, more assertive, and far more disruptive than I remembered from the most recent viewing. Defensively, she was downright pesky. Opposing ball handlers rarely enjoyed a comfortable possession because Berkley attached herself to them and stayed there – like an angry dog chasing apprehending the terrified mail carrier. Beyond the defense, she handled the ball confidently, pushed tempo, and continued to show why she's one of South Dakota's more productive young guards. Ziebart can shoot it, create opportunities, and score off the bounce. Most importantly, she played with an edge that was impossible to miss.

The clock is ticking for South Dakota's Class of 2027 as they enter the home stretch of their high school and AAU careers. For the 2028s, this is an important time to get on the radar of college coaches just prior to their junior year. We were watching the upperclassmen this past weekend at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls as Sanford Sports hosted the Dakota Challenge. Here are five upperclassmen who distinguished themselves at the event.