Nate’s Weekly Evaluations: Part 2, Week 2
The second part of my player evaluations from the rest of my day at the MLK Challenge and my Tuesday night in Orono. Courtney Connelly, Guard, Byron (2020) Connelly showed off a good scoring mix on Monday afternoon. She was…
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Continue ReadingThe second part of my player evaluations from the rest of my day at the MLK Challenge and my Tuesday night in Orono.
Courtney Connelly, Guard, Byron (2020)
Connelly showed off a good scoring mix on Monday afternoon. She was fluent in driving to the bucket and also hitting the deep ball as she’s the Bears team leader from deep this season. The Bears have a three game week this week against Plainview-Elgin-Millville (9-8) (game was earlier tonight, no box score yet) tomorrow against a very strong Goodhue program who is 16-2 thus far, and then will get some weaker competiion at Pine Island (4-13) on Friday night. The good news is, they will have Connelly’s senior leadership to rally at home two of those three games this week.
Sacia Vanderpool, Forward, Byron (2021)
Vanderpool was the biggest spark for the Bears on Monday. At 6’4 her inside presence is a total mismatch for just about any defender in her way. I’d like to see her become a stronger force on the rebounds with her size but I also saw her deep ball on Monday which was a impressive sight to see as you can tell she certainly has been working on her long jumper if she needs it. She’s capable of scoring at will, but we just need to see it more frequently as she only had 10 points in a 38 point loss to Kasson-Mantorville late last week.
Simone Clay, Guard, Bloomington Jefferson (2022)
Clay is a 2022 guard prospect to watch over the coming years. She has a good handle with the basketball and makes crisp passes as she was one of the top dogs as far as my team points category went on Monday afternoon for Jefferson. This Jefferson team is very young, but that youth will grow into what I think will be a better program in the coming years.
Emily Roach, Guard, Bloomington Jefferson (2022)
Roach’s ability to catch and shoot from deep, was what made her game MVP against Byron. Every ball I watched her shoot looked like it could have gone in with her 18 point outing. Roach was fired up in the Jaguars win over Byron, and look for her to be a good developing outside shooter over the coming years.
Kloe Wadd, Center, Waseca (2023)
Waseca has so many strong senior leaders, it can be slightly overwhelming but for good reason. Sitting at #50 in our Class of 2023 rankings, Wadd was a key contributor to the Waseca’s large victory coming off the bench. Her game is still quite raw, but I think she has a chance to be a very solid big for the Blue Jays in the near future. Needs to improve on her rebounding, but otherwise certainly a freshmen to watch in the coming years.
Hannah Potter, Guard, Waseca (2020)
Potter to be showed to be the a “total package” guard that can do it all on the floor. Strong outside shoot, strong finisher at the hoop, solid ball handler, crisp passing, and can also rebound. Although she won’t be playing basketball at the next level, she is a heck of an all around guard for the Blue Jays.
Gus Boyer, Guard, Waseca (2020)
Boyer a UMD commit, is what we call in the biz “a bucket,”. Averaging 19 points per game, we also saw Boyer much like Potter also rebound with ease as well against the struggling Bluejackets. Her drive to the bucket is what made her a force against Hibbing, but she’s also got a great looking three point shot she knocks down frequently for the Blue Jays. Boyer much like Lauren Jensen of Lakeville North, is a player I would have loved to watch for a few more seasons.
Fanci Williams, Forward, Hibbing (2021)
I’ve been to almost every game you can think of this year. Blowouts, nail bitters, overtime games, you name it. One big thing I look for in the teams that are losing largely is to see who is still hustling regardless of what the scoreboard says. That for Hibbing was Fanci Williams. Hustling requires no stats, no percentages, just pure heart. Williams was still rebounding with power despite the Bluejackets huge deficit and that really stood out to me.
Haley Hawkinson, Guard, Hibbing (2021)
Hawkinson looked to start off the game strong with an and one, but unfortunately her and her Bluejackets couldn’t drum up any sort of rhythm against the Blue Jays. Based on what I’ve seen over the last few is a lack of consistenly from this 2021 guard. She is a good shooter from just about anywhere, she just needs to trust her shot as she’s gone from double digit scoring, back to 5 points, and so on.
Kortney Manning, Forward, Hibbing (2020)
Manning was another player I expected to get into to a groove, but was overmatched by Waseca as the Bluejackets struggled running their offense all game long. Manning did rebound against Chisago Lakes later in the week, but this scholarship level player should get an opportunity to play next year as she’s a versatile forward that runs the floor well.
Julia Knudson, Guard, Orono (2021)
Knudson was the fire power to this Orono Spartans offense. She’s a versatile scorer and had great success shooting anywhere against the Minnehaha Academy. She’s had a hot seven days going for 19 against Minnehaha, 30 against Benilde St. Maragrets and tonight went for 19 against against Delano
Kaila Youngs, Forward, Orono (2022)
We touched on it earlier this week, but I’ll revisit it that I was very impressed with Youngs as a rebounder. Youngs is certainly not the stout post player your are used to seeing, but she’s a versatile forward that’s only going to improve in the Class of 2022. Much like Knudson, she showed her stuff against Benilde St. Maragrets, dropping 20 points to add to her already strong resume.
Elle Johnson, Forward, Orono (2021)
Although we witnessed an Orono loss, I still watch for the player that still continues to play hard and that was Elle Johnson of Orono. Her hustle for getting after basketballs going out of bounds is what places her on this list.
Jennica Suggs, Forward, Minnehaha Academy (2024)
We just talked about Johnson of Orono being a hustler, Jennica Suggs on the other side of the court played with exceptional hustle. Obviously the little sister of Jalen Suggs has a good basketball IQ and as only an 8th grader has years to prove how strong of a basketball player she is. I’m sure in the years ahead we won’t just be talking about her hustle plays, but her skills she’s going to continue to develop as well.
Telia Graham, Forward, Minnehaha Academy (2022)
Graham was an unexpected inside force for the Redhawks. All of her scoring came from the low post and although she attempted some three points, they did not fall. The biggest thing I think this young sophomore could work is the arch on her long jump shots as I felt they were a little low as far as the arch she put on her longer shots. Certainly with two years left, can develop that skill set.
Tanna Gallo, Guard, Minnehaha Academy (2020)
One of two unsigned 2020 guard prospects from the Redhawks, Gallo, has a very nice outside shot. Very consistent player as in the Redhawks 16 games, she’s scored over 12 points 9 times thus far this season. Gallo just decommited from Waldorf College a Division III program in Iowa and is “in search” for a new home.
Mia Curtis, Guard, Minnehaha Academy (2020)
Probably the top player on this list and one of PGH Minnesota’s top unsigned seniors, Curtis went for 30 points against Orono. Another player that can light it up form anywhere on the court. I also was highly impressed with her ability to get to the free throw line along with being a great three point shooter, a driving bucket and a solid competitor as far as our team points go as well. Curtis is a Division I prospect that you are going to want at your program ASAP!