Juniors and Sophomores raising the bar at the Meltdown

The annual [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']Meltdown tournament wrapped up on Sunday, bringing an end to Minnesota's AAU season. Over the course of the weekend we watched some seniors making their final AAU appearances (read about them <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/07/meltdown-2027s-turning-the-page/">here</a>) and some youngsters who are next in line at the varsity level (check out those evaluations <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/07/meltdown-youngsters-on-the-rise/">here</a>). In the midst of all of that, Prep Girls Hoops intern Paxyn Rendahl and I also saw many members of the incoming sophomore and junior classes who have taken their game up a notch this spring. Here are six 2028s and 2029s who impressed at the final event of the season.    Following a sophomore season where she averaged 11.9 points per game for BOLD, Martinson (pictured above) has been a key piece for the [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] Levendowski squad all summer. At the Meltdown, the 5'6 guard showed off her characteristic hard-nosed defense. Erika stayed involved at all times, using her ample speed to make plays on the ball, stop her opponents on the drive, and force turnovers out on the perimeter. On the other end of the floor, she controlled the game's pace, shifting speeds to create openings for herself and her teammates. With 47 points over the course of the weekend, Martinson found much of her scoring at the rim. We saw her get downhill often with a serious burst of speed, then finish with a soft touch off the glass.     A consistent contributor for Hoop City all weekend, we liked what we saw from Johnson at the Meltdown. The 6'1 forward was a force to be reckoned with on defense, using her strength and physical style of play to block shots, make hustle plays, and control the boards. The sheer effort that Taya puts in on the defensive end makes her a tough matchup for most opponents. On the other end of the court, the Luverne junior fought hard for positioning on the block, sealing her defender behind her to get wide open looks. Johnson didn't just live in the paint, though. Extending her game out to the perimeter, Taya found several open looks along the three-point line.     Athletic, lengthy, and fundamentally sound, Kolberg really grabbed our attention over the weekend. Playing for [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 2029 Black, the 5'9 guard handles the ball well, creates continuous movement on offense, and has a knack for finding openings off of the pick-and-roll. Often scoring from three with a quick, high-arcing release, Mikaia doesn't hesitate to look for her own shot while also being a willing passer who looks for open teammates. The Maple Grove sophomore is smooth in the open court, plays with plenty of energy, and maintains a calm, even-keel demeanor. Also leading her team in scoring at the Meltdown, Kolberg finished the event with 56 points. As a new addition to our radar, we're told that Mikaia's game has taken a big leap this summer.     While her teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1233100' first='Rinlee' last='Bergan'] draws most of the defensive attention and fanfare for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 15U SE, Johnson gave us plenty to take notice of over the weekend. At 5'10, Blake is wiry and ridiculously long. She moves well, running the floor with long strides, quick feet, and a great degree of mobility. In addition to her physical tools, we really liked the Randolph sophomore's attitude on the defensive end. She's incredibly vocal, seeing the whole floor and calling out screens for her teammates. On offense, Johnson did all the right things. She pushed the pace in transition, spaced the floor, called for her shot, and stayed ready to shoot at all times. When she caught the ball on the perimeter, Johnson didn't hesitate to let the ball fly. There's plenty of upside here.     A key contributor for Byron in the high school season, Rossow sees the court fully, reads the defense well, and makes quick decisions. Taking on a much larger offensive role with [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 16U SE this summer, the 5'5 guard was critical for her team at the Meltdown. Scoring 60 points in five games, Avery showcased her ability to catch and shoot with a quick release, or explode to the basket and draw fouls at the rim. Leading the offense not only with her scoring ability but also with her on-court communication, the Bears junior acts as a coach on the floor. A passionate competitor on both ends of the court, we suspect that Rossow will take a big leap in the upcoming high school season.     Displaying power down in the paint at all times, Schulz was a standout performer for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 16U SE over the weekend. Offensively, the 5'10 forward does an excellent job establishing herself down low, using her strength and footwork to finish through contact or create high-percentage scoring chances around the basket. She displays strong court awareness, recognizing help defenders and reading the defense to make the right decision when the ball is in her hands. When the defense collapses, Georgia is an unselfish passer, kicking the ball back out to an open teammate for an open shot. The Owatonna junior's ability to balance scoring with smart passing makes her a valuable offensive weapon, while her toughness and willingness to do the work provide her team with a dependable presence every time she steps on the court.    PGH intern Paxyn Rendahl contributed to these evaluations.

The annual North Tartan Meltdown tournament wrapped up on Sunday, bringing an end to Minnesota's AAU season. Over the course of the weekend we watched some seniors making their final AAU appearances (read about them here) and some youngsters who are next in line at the varsity level (check out those evaluations here). In the midst of all of that, Prep Girls Hoops intern Paxyn Rendahl and I also saw many members of the incoming sophomore and junior classes who have taken their game up a notch this spring. Here are six 2028s and 2029s who impressed at the final event of the season.