Players who raised their stock in week 7

As we quickly approach the halfway point in the high school season, it's becoming more and more clear who the top performing teams and players are going to be this season. It can be easy to get caught up in marquee matchups, record-breaking performances, and, of course, the race to the State Tournament. For that reason, we decided to spend this week focusing on lesser known players who have worked hard at raising their game this season. Here are some players who raised their stock in week 7.   [player_tooltip player_id='897889' first='Madilynn' last='Bell'] – 2028 Forward, Lakeville North   As the linchpin in the Lakeville North starting lineup, Bell has made significant strides in her game in just a few short months. The 6'3 forward is highly mobile, fundamentally sound, and plays with a work ethic that never wavers. In Saturday's matchup against Providence Academy, Madilynn showed off her ability to score at multiple levels. She was efficient when finishing in transition and around the rim, but did not hesitate to pull up from the midrange or three-point line. The Panthers sophomore even hit the last second, game-tying shot that sent the game to overtime. She finished the contest with a season-high 18 points.    [player_tooltip player_id='1246846' first='Nivaya' last='Koles'] – 2029 Guard, Lakeville North   We've seen some big performances from Koles in the past couple of weeks. The 5'7 guard has filled in as the Panthers' starting point guard following the injury of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='908286' first='Lauren' last='Robison'], and has truly stepped up to the plate. In Saturday's matchup against the Lions, Koles was red hot from beyond the arc, hitting 5 three-pointers in the overtime nail biter. In addition to her lights-out shooting, Nivaya brought her usual, high energy, scrappy defense to the floor. The Panthers freshman is lighting quick, plays with active hands, and never hesitates to get on the ground and wrestle for a loose ball.    [player_tooltip player_id='1124606' first='Stella' last='Serie'] – 2028 Guard, Providence Academy   Serie provided a spark off the bench and some much needed depth for the Lions in their overtime win over Lakeville North. The 5'8 guard entered the game early, making an immediate impact on the defensive end. Bouncy, quick, and an active defender, Stella got tie ups, deflections, and forced turnovers all game long, leading to numerous transition opportunities for Providence. On the other end of the floor, the Lions sophomore moved well off the ball and was consistently ready to shoot, regardless of where she was on the floor. There's no doubt that Serie's reliable bench minutes were crucial to the team's success on Saturday.    [player_tooltip player_id='630245' first='Gianna' last='Carpentier'] – 2027 Guard, Rosemount   Following her transfer from Farmington, Carpentier has settled in as a core piece of the Rosemount starting lineup. The athletic 5'10 playmaker has become yet another weapon in the already loaded Irish arsenal. In Saturday's matchup against East Ridge, Gianna was highly aggressive from the tip, creating havoc and forcing turnovers on defense, and attacking the basket with a full head of steam on the other end of the floor. After a slow start, Carpentier's unselfish passing, ability to score at all three levels, and sheer effort helped the Irish claw their way back into the game, going on a 27-3 run to close out the first half.    [player_tooltip player_id='764183' first='Berkley' last='Blaisdell'] – 2027 Guard, Mahtomedi   Now in her junior season, Blaisdell has become a crucial component for Mahtomedi. While the 5'10 guard doesn't often overwhelm opponents with her physical presence, she's scrappy, speedy, and plays with a nonstop motor. In Saturday's matchup against Byron, Berkley impacted the offense in a variety of ways. She showed off her crafty handle on the ball, was efficient finishing around the rim, and excelled in her post-entry passing, as well as her ability to thread the needle in transition. On the defensive end, the Zephyrs junior was a pest on the perimeter and highly active on the glass, consistently outworking her opponents to grab boards. She finished the contest with 9 points and 8 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1145711' first='Reagan' last='Essig'] – 2027 Guard, Triton   When watching the matchup between Triton and Goodhue on Saturday, it didn't take long for Essig to make a strong impression. The Cobras junior came out hot, putting her fingerprints on every possession. Reagan played physical, scrappy defense, got deflections and forced numerous turnovers. On offense, the 5'6 guard looked to score early and often, leading to 10 quick points. While Triton struggled offensively as a team, Reagan's explosive drives to the rim and quick-release threes were a bright spot for the Cobras; she finished the contest with a team-high 16 points. Despite the loss to the Wildcats, we'll be sure to keep tabs on Essig's game as the season continues.

As we quickly approach the halfway point in the high school season, it's becoming more and more clear who the top performing teams and players are going to be this season. It can be easy to get caught up in marquee matchups, record-breaking performances, and, of course, the race to the State Tournament. For that reason, we decided to spend this week focusing on lesser known players who have worked hard at raising their game this season. Here are some players who raised their stock in week 7.