AAU Awards: 2030 Breakout Player of the Year

Each year when the AAU season comes to a close, we like to take the time to recognize all of the talented players in Minnesota with our annual Prep Girls Hoops AAU Awards. While our slate of events in Minnesota wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, the season didn't officially end across the country until this past weekend. And after a jam-packed schedule from April to July, some rest and recuperation was definitely needed by all involved! Now having concluded our brief sabbatical, it's time to get into the postseason accolades.    This year we'll be handing out a wide variety of honors. The list includes our Hard Hat All-Star teams, AAU Newcomer of the Year, Coach of the Year and Most Valuable Duos. We'll also recognize a Defensive Player of the Year and Breakout Performer for each class.   Please note: Just like previous years, only Minnesota players are eligible for these accolades. This means that players from states such as Wisconsin and North Dakota who play for Minnesota AAU teams were not considered. On the other hand, players from Minnesota who play for out-of-state clubs such as Sanford Sports Academy, All Iowa Attack, and Wisconsin Lakers were considered eligible if we were able to see them play. That being said, let's get to our first award on the docket, our Class of 2030 Breakout Player of the Year; [player_tooltip player_id='1273699' first='Scarlett' last='Brown'].    When the AAU season began back in April, Brown (pictured above) was simply not on our radar. While we had already familiarized ourselves with many members of the Class of 2030 (primarily those with significant roles on varsity), the viewing opportunities were limited for Scarlett, who has yet to make her debut for Alexandria. But thanks to a helpful heads up from [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] head coach Brett Smith, we added the Cardinals 8th grader, along with the rest of the 2030 Blue team, to our list of names to see. What became immediately clear upon first viewing was that Brown was going to be something special.    To be clear, Scarlett's game isn't flashy by any means. She isn't typically the type to make highlight reel style plays or be demonstrative on defense, but the talented wing checks all the boxes for today's college game. Standing at 6'1 and still growing, Scarlett's lengthy frame, ample athleticism, and ability to impact the game at multiple positions make her a standout Division 1 prospect in a class that is already loaded with talent.    What impressed us so much about Brown's game in our first viewing (and every viewing since) was her ability to impact every area of the contest. With a strong fundamental skillset, Scarlett plays with a well-rounded approach that doesn't leave many gaps for opponents to capitalize on. She can score off the catch from multiple spots on the floor or take defenders one on one to the rim. She defends with intensity, is an effective facilitator, and easily controls the boards on both ends of the floor. On top of all of that, Brown plays with a calm, even-keeled demeanor that allows her to maintain her composure in high pressure situations. Over the course of the AAU season, we saw her keep a level head in tight matchups, come up with key buckets down the stretch, and pull off clutch defensive stops – all of which were crucial in West Central's AAU State Championship run, the first in the program's history.   Over the course of the spring and summer, we saw Brown's game grow and evolve, as she became more skilled, and gained more confidence with each passing weekend. And with that came an increase in attention. While Scarlett began the season as a relatively unknown prospect, her play throughout AAU turned numerous heads, now making her name one that we routinely mention when college coaches ask “Who should we be watching in the class of 2030?” In a long line of talented players to come out of Alexandria, it's clear that the incoming freshman is up next.    RUNNER-UP    Already a consistent performer at the varsity level, Goranson's game skyrocketed this summer. The Proctor 8th grader led the way for Minn Starks 14U all season, routinely showing off her effortless athleticism, hard-nosed defense, and three-level scoring. It wasn't long before Reese's name began coming up in our conversations with coaches from around the region. With a long, wiry frame and plenty of athletic potential, the 5'11 guard plays with the right balance of fluidity and speed. She's skilled with the ball in her hands, has an efficient release on her outside shot, and can play as a primary ball handler or an off ball guard. Over the spring and summer we saw Goranson put on a number of dominant offensive performances, routinely scoring in the high teens against high level competition. It's obvious that the Rails have something special in their incoming freshman class.    HONORABLE MENTION    Quickly going from a relative unknown to a member of the PGH Class of 2030 Watch List, Stone burst into our field of view this spring. Standing at 5'11, the Enterprise Elite guard stands out immediately with her lengthy frame and speed in the open court. She's shifty with the ball in her hands, a skilled playmaker and scorer off the bounce, and defends with a high level of effort and intensity. It doesn't take long to see that Emmy plays with excellent pace and timing, possessing a tremendous natural feel for the game that you just can't teach. Playing for a program with as much depth as Minnetonka, it may be some time before we see Stone at the varsity level. But given what we witnessed this summer, it wouldn't be surprising to see the incoming freshman make an impact for the Skippers sooner rather than later.

Each year when the AAU season comes to a close, we like to take the time to recognize all of the talented players in Minnesota with our annual Prep Girls Hoops AAU Awards. While our slate of events in Minnesota wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, the season didn't officially end across the country until this past weekend. And after a jam-packed schedule from April to July, some rest and recuperation was definitely needed by all involved! Now having concluded our brief sabbatical, it's time to get into the postseason accolades.