Breakdown Fall League: Varsity vets who stood out on Sunday

We got our first look at the annual Breakdown Fall League series a couple of weeks ago, but this past Sunday things kicked into high gear. With more than 90 girls varsity teams competing at sites across the Twin Cities, there was no shortage of good basketball to watch. I opted to spend the day at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, where more than 20 varsity games took place. Here are some of the highlights.   EXPANDING THEIR ROLE    With a combination of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming young talent, Prior Lake is likely to be a competitive force in both their conference and section this season. But essential to that mission is having strong role players. From what I saw on Sunday, Gardiner seems to fit the bill. The 5'8 wing does a lot of things well. She's athletic and mobile, is constantly creating movement away from the ball, and has a keen sense of timing on the court. On offense, Charley never forces the issue. She spaces the floor, makes smart passes, and doesn't pass up the shot when an open look presents itself. As a defender, her scrappy, high energy style is a tremendous asset. She may not be a household name, but Gardiner is more than capable of creating an impact for the Lakers this year.     Burke (pictured above) is yet another example of a player who looks ready to take on a bigger role this season. Standing at 5'10 with a powerful, sturdy build, the Edina senior can impact the game in a number of ways. Strong enough to play down in the post, but quick and mobile enough to be out on the perimeter, her versatility gives the Hornets some room for creativity on both ends of the floor. On offense Ella's quick first step and strong finishing at the rim allows her to excel on drives to the basket, particularly on her dominant left side. With the Hornets hoping to improve upon last year's 9-19 record, Burke's experience and aggressive two-way style of play will be a key component to the team's success.    RUNNING THE SHOW    Despite only being in the 9th grade, Hernandez has already accumulated plenty of varsity playing experience. Last winter she ran much of the offense for Visitation, playing a key role all the way into the postseason. This past summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'], the 5'3 point guard impressed us on numerous occasions with her high-level playmaking, tight handle on the basketball and calm demeanor in high-pressure situations. This past Sunday Sophia showed all of that and more. The Blazers freshman looked to score early and often. By constantly scanning the floor and reading the defense for openings, Hernandez was able to explode towards the rim in the blink of an eye. She'll certainly be a player to watch in the Tri-Metro conference this season.     With three seniors graduating out of Southwest Christian's varsity lineup, there will be plenty of opportunity for some younger players to step up this season. Among that group is Munson, a 5'7 sophomore guard who averaged just over 8 points per game last winter. At Fall League on Sunday, she took the bull by the horns for the Stars. Relentless in her attempts to get the offense going, Brynn found her way to the rim time and time again, often finishing through heavy contact from the defense. Out on the perimeter, she stayed in constant motion, but was always ready to shoot when the ball came her way. While Munson's release is somewhat unconventional, the Stars floor general can knock down threes at a relatively high clip.

We got our first look at the annual Breakdown Fall League series a couple of weeks ago, but this past Sunday things kicked into high gear. With more than 90 girls varsity teams competing at sites across the Twin Cities, there was no shortage of good basketball to watch. I opted to spend the day at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, where more than 20 varsity games took place. Here are some of the highlights.

EXPANDING THEIR ROLE