2026 standouts from the North Tartan Meltdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please allow me to introduce myself—and then I promise never to write about myself here again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My name is Jared Stansbury, and I love basketball. More than anything, I love the lessons this game teaches. That's why I committed to it over 15 years ago as a sophomore at Clarinda High School in southwest Iowa. That commitment carried me through a short playing career at Simpson College and into sports journalism. I transferred to Iowa State and spent a decade covering Cyclone greats like Georges Niang, Monte Morris, Tyrese Haliburton, Bridget Carleton, and Ashley Joens. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two years ago, something shifted. I felt there was more, and I found it in Minnesota when I walked into a gym and met a group of young women who changed my life. I discovered my purpose: helping young people chase their basketball dreams. Looking back, I realize I'd spent 10 years unknowingly attending a coaching clinic led by Matt Campbell, T.J. Otzelberger, and Bill Fennelly. Now, I'm here to pass those lessons on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops has given me the chance to scout talent across Minnesota and spotlight players building their own incredible journeys. I thank God every day for this game and everything it's given me. If you're on the fence about diving in, do it wholeheartedly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, let's move on to highlighting the players chasing their dreams—starting with some standouts from the 2026 class at the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Meltdown in Shakopee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502533"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68754ad8726fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Lanesboro standout was one of the top performers all weekend, scoring 86 points—fourth-most in 17U D1—including games of 21 and 29 points. Rated No. 53 in our rankings, Storhoff (pictured above) is a knockdown shooter with deep range, hitting 10 threes over five games. A proven scorer who averaged 20.4 points as a junior, she plays strong off two feet, finishes creatively around the rim, and sets up teammates with her passing. Perhaps most importantly, she competes with a joy that shines through and will make her a valuable asset at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502534"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68754ad872767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson has impressed every time we've seen her this summer. She scored in double figures in four of [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] Wendland's games this weekend. Ranked No. 97, she's a true combo guard who can create for others, hit shots from deep, and attack off the dribble. She's also a solid defender who generates steals and loose balls. The New Ulm guard is an impact player on both ends and is gearing up for a strong senior season with the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502563"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68754ad8727c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hust is a sure-fire next-level talent with the ability to attack off the bounce, knock down perimeter shots, and finish creatively at the rim. She scored in double figures in all five of [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] SE's games. Currently ranked No. 73, the Rochester Lourdes forward averaged 16.6 points as a junior and is trending up as her senior year approaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234522"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68754ad872820"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ruffridge has impressed each time we've watched her over the past couple of AAU seasons. She consistently carves out deep post position, creating easy angles to score. At 6-foot-1, she has strong footwork, punishes mismatches, and has a knack for burying defenders under the rim in transition—an underrated weapon both as a scorer and on the offensive glass. She scored in double figures twice this weekend in one of her strongest showings of the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1268580"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68754ad872875"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was a breakout weekend for Arvig, a 5-foot-10 wing from Mayer Lutheran, who piled up 78 points over five games, including performances of 21, 22, and 19 points. Previously listed with three made threes in local tournaments this summer, she knocked down seven this weekend. Her length and athleticism make her a tough cover offensively and an impact defender. With Mayer Lutheran returning nearly everyone from last year's Class 1A fourth-place team, Arvig's growth could help them contend for the top prize in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->