Youngsters on the rise at the Meltdown

Ever since April, we've been on the hunt for members of the classes of 2030 and 2031 (and even a couple 2032s) who are already showing college level potential. Since we began our quest, we've covered over 100 players from across the state who meet that description. With Minnesota's AAU season coming to an end this past weekend, PGH intern Paxyn Rendahl and I went looking for a few more contenders to close out the summer. [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']'s annual Meltdown tournament didn't disappoint. We spent all three days at Shakopee high school, where five more youngsters separated themselves from the crowd.    Well known as a high-level defender, Mata (pictured above) showed her offensive prowess at the Meltdown. She showcased dribble-step-back shots in the midrange, high-speed layups, and consistently drew fouls at the rim, earning trips to the free-throw line. The 5'4 guard's speed in the open court and aggressive drives to the basket put constant pressure on opposing teams, who often struggled to keep up. Mata finished the weekend with a team-high 63 points, averaging 12.6 points per contest. The [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 14U Elite point guard plays with hustle and determination, constantly elevating the energy level for her team and often supplying the spark needed to win. Jasmine's efforts led the team to a 4-1 record, placing them in 2nd in the 15U Silver division.     Already standing at 6 feet tall, Bailey is a confident post player who excels in the paint, both offensively and defensively. She's highly athletic, a skilled rim runner, and able to maintain positioning on the block. Playing a vital role in her team's defensive strategy, Azariah constantly scans the court, alerting her teammates of the ball's position, while also calling out screens and back door cuts. With an great length and a significant spring in her step, the Hopkins 8th grader protected the rim at the Meltdown, blocking and altering shots, stopping players on the drive, and snagging rebounds over her opponents. Whether shutting down the paint or creating scoring opportunities, Bailey's impact on the game was felt all weekend.     Along with her teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1357327' first='Azariah' last='Bailey'], Odinlo stood out immediately when we sat down to watch the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 2031 Gold squad. Standing somewhere around 5'8, the Hopkins 8th grader plays with a perfect blend of power and finesse. She's taller and stronger than most guards her age, while still having a high degree of quickness and an explosive first step. With a tireless work ethic, Kemet is a disruptive perimeter defender who constantly makes hustle plays and uses her physicality to gain an advantage on the boards. On offense, she excels on drives to the rim. Odinlo blows by defenders, plays off of two feet, and consistently finishes through contact with either hand at the rim. She finished the weekend with a team-high 11 points per game.     With a high-revving motor on both ends of the floor, Johnson is a blue collar player who consistently provides a boost of energy for her team. The [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] wing's dedication to the game is evident in the way she competes on every possession, battles for position on the boards, and creates open looks in the paint. Her willingness to do the little things, such as diving for loose balls, sprinting the floor in transition, and making hustle plays is evidence of the spark that Aysa provides for the 13U Elite squad. Not to mention, the Becker 8th grader knows how to put the ball in the hoop. Johnson finished the weekend with 68 points across four games, placing her second in scoring in the 13U Gold division.     A small and fierce guard who is ready for any defensive challenge given to her, Swenson's lateral quickness and bounce allows her to work smoothly on defense, get deflections and steals, and find position down low to fight for rebounds. Once she gains possession, the Fury 2031 Yellow guard immediately looks to push the pace, advancing the ball up the floor to create transition opportunities before the defense can get organized. Brooke makes smart decisions with the ball, recognizing when to attack the basket herself or distribute to teammates running the floor. Through her hustle and competitiveness, the Chanhassen 8th grader's high motor and defensive intensity make her the type of player who can change the energy of a game in an instant.    PGH intern Paxyn Rendahl contributed to these evaluations.

Ever since April, we've been on the hunt for members of the classes of 2030 and 2031 (and even a couple 2032s) who are already showing college level potential. Since we began our quest, we've covered over 100 players from across the state who meet that description. With Minnesota's AAU season coming to an end this past weekend, PGH intern Paxyn Rendahl and I went looking for a few more contenders to close out the summer. North Tartan 's annual Meltdown tournament didn't disappoint. We spent all three days at Shakopee high school, where five more youngsters separated themselves from the crowd.