AAU Awards: 14U Most Valuable Duos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week we began our rollout of our this year's Most Valuable Duos award. First handed out last summer, the MVD award is designed to recognize a pair of teammates who were instrumental to their team's success throughout the AAU season. Each duo is a little bit different: Some lead their team in scoring, some worked in tandem on the defensive end, but each pair of players recognized helped set the tone for their respective teams this summer. We've already announced our winners for the 17U, 16U, and 15U teams, so today we'll cover the youngest group of award winners. Let's take a look at this year's 14U honorees.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a reminder: While there are plenty of out-of-state prospects playing for Minnesota clubs who had a phenomenal summer, only Minnesota players are eligible for these awards. This means that players from other states who play for Minnesota-based AAU clubs were not considered. On the other hand, players from Minnesota who play for out-of-state clubs were considered eligible, provided that we had the opportunity to see them play in person.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOST VALUABLE DUO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1855659,"width":"693px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/WCU2030Blue.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1855659" style="width:693px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1243302' first='Lily' last='Wesen'] (front row, 2nd from left) &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] (front row, 3rd from left)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1243302' first='Lily' last='Wesen'] – [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] 2030 Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']'s talented group of incoming 9th graders, this year's AAU season had plenty of highlights. From their 30-5 overall record to winning the club's first ever AAU state championship, coach Brett Smith's squad proved just what the up-and-coming central Minnesota club is capable of. At the center of it all was Retzlaff. Serving as the engine for the team, the 5'9 guard played with tremendous heart and an endless work ethic all season long. Elin's ability to shoulder the bulk of the offense while remaining an unselfish teammate and poised leader has been remarkable to see. The Hillcrest Lutheran guard built up quite the resume this summer; Retzlaff scored 40 points or more every local tournament, plus a 75-point performance at Summer Jam, earned MVP honors at the AAU State Tournament back in May, and picked up her first Division 1 offer from North Dakota at the end of July.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right beside Retzlaff in the backcourt, Wesen was instrumental for the team all summer. Following a strong freshman campaign at Albany, the 5'6 point guard came into the AAU season with an immediate spark. Week after week, Lily brought her characteristic fast-paced, high intensity style of play on the defensive end, plus an aggressive burst of scoring off the dribble on offense. With her game quickly developing, we saw Wesen take smarter shots, draw tougher assignments on defense, and step up in big moments all throughout the summer. Lily was particularly impactful at the AAU State Tournament, where her play down the stretch of the championship matchup carried West Central to victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONORABLE MENTIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1158031,"width":"489px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Amelia-Truty_Lourdes-crop-3916x2571-1737580355.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1158031" style="width:489px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1124545' first='Amelia' last='Truty']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124545' first='Amelia' last='Truty'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1243842' first='Mara' last='Segerstrom'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 14U EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a roster that's utterly loaded with Division 1 talent, it's no wonder that the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 14U EYBL squad turned heads this summer. Throughout the season, onlookers marveled at the team's size, athleticism and overall skill level. At the forefront of that attention were Truty and Segerstrom.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After leading Rochester Lourdes in scoring with 20 points per game as an 8th grader, Truty came into the summer with the advantage of plenty of high-level basketball experience. From April onward, the 5'9 guard contributed poised leadership, aggressive perimeter defense, and high-IQ playmaking for her team. On top of that, Amelia's ability to generate offense from anywhere on the floor led to a number of standout scoring displays, including a 63-point weekend at the Midwest Kickoff.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside Truty, Segerstrom was a difference maker all summer. Standing at 6'1, the Prior Lake 9th grader brings tremendous athleticism and length, a great deal of mobility, plus the versatility to play a variety of positions on both ends of the floor. This season we saw Mara take on tough assignments on the defensive end, defending the paint with physicality and toughness. Alongside Truty, Segerstrom was featured in our class of 2030 Watch List back in April.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1851331' first='Mattea' last='Ida Wilson'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1354331' first='Zion' last='Nnaji'] – [program_tooltip program_id='712697' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] 2030 Wilson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the top [program_tooltip program_id='712697' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] 2030 squad didn't receive the level of fanfare of some of the more prominent circuit teams this summer, the group quietly picked apart teams by focusing on the details, sharing the ball, and playing together on defense. Leading the way for coach Tony Wilson's team was one of the most intriguing duos we watched all summer, Nnaji and Wilson. Constantly turning defense into offense, the pair worked in tandem on both ends of the floor and truly shined when scoring in transition. For Mattea, a 5'4 point guard from Shakopee, we watched her game blossom this season. Initially a pass-first playmaker and primary ball handler, Mattea's confidence gradually grew week after week. By late May she began routinely putting up 15 or more points per matchup and scoring the ball at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Nnaji, the 6'1 wing was hard to miss. With ample length and plenty of athleticism to go along with it, the Shakopee freshman excelled as Crossfire's rim-running, floor-spacing big all season. Also highly impactful as a shot blocker and defensive rebounder, Zion put on a number of outstanding offensive displays, including a 42 point weekend at Battle on the Hardwood, and 58 points at the AAU state prelims.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->