Rankings risers: Moving on up in the Class of 2029

Every year at this time we face the daunting task of evaluating the incoming 9th graders in order to select the Prep Girls Hoops Freshmen 50 – the best initial ranking of the best prospects in any given class. Despite the challenges, it always seems to sort itself out by September. Now, six months on, it's time to add to the Class of 2029 prospect rankings for the first time. In fact, we're growing the group by 50 percent.   The rankings were published today with 25 new names to consider. We'll look at them in more detail as the week goes on. Our focus today is on the stock risers – those players who demonstrated improved potential and performance relative to their peers. These are the freshmen who raised their stock this winter.   MOVING UP IN THE TOP 10   [player_tooltip player_id='897060' first='Madeleine' last='Hamiel'] of Cretin-Derham Hall delivered a performance for the ages on opening day of the high school State Tournament two weeks ago. To describe her play that day against Hill-Murray as “dominant” would be a gross understatement as the gritty guard topped the 30-points mark and turned heads from start to finish. That game, and a subsequent scholarship offer from the University of Minnesota, made it obvious that Maddie had to move up in the rankings. As a result, Hamiel rises to #2, just behind [player_tooltip player_id='872714' first='Beckett' last='Greenway'] of Providence Academy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1095939' first='Raegan' last='Kelm'] of Bryon didn't have the same opportunity to do her best work on the biggest stage after the Byron Bears were eliminated by the eventual runner-up from Stewartville. What Kelm did throughout the regular season, however, was more than enough to earn recognition from scouts and recruiters alike. One of the most well-rounded competitors in the Class of 2029, Raegan is a stellar defender who uses her speed, quickness and anticipation to suffocate opposing ball handlers. On offense she was Byron's second-leading scorer at over a dozen points per game. D1 coaches are talking about Kelm on a regular basis. She's now #9 in the class.   THE BIGGEST STOCK RISERS    +10 Everybody focuses on scoring the basketball. In reality, the most direct way to get on the floor as a freshman in high school or college is to be a strong defender who understands the assignment and takes care of the basketball. That's exactly what Koles did to earn a spot in the Panthers lineup. She took on all manner of defensive assignments and shone. She also did her job at the other end, distributing with poise and precision and scoring nearly 9 points per game, carrying more load than anticipated. Nivaya's energy and effort is off the charts as is her quickness, and pace. She earned a promotion of 10 places to #26.     +5 In putting together this 2029 rankings update my mind wandered back to a Breakdown Fall League game prior to the 2025-26 high school season. Lyla was completely dominant that day, well beyond what you'd expect from an incoming 9th grader. Here we are nearly six months later and Behnke is coming off a season in which she dominated the boards and grew her game in every aspect. Upping her production by half, she averaged 9 points and 9 rebounds per game, topping 250 boards for the season. Behnke was 2nd in steals and blocks, 4th in assists. The 6-footer has the build for college basketball and the drive to be great. She earned a 5-place bump to #43.     +4 If you read last week's All-Freshman Team story from Ally McGinnis, or watched New London-Spicer at the high school State Tournament, then it will not surprise you that Tanner is moving up in the prospect rankings. At 6'2 with great mobility, Korbin was always going to be a scholarship-level prospect. This winter her game, confidence, and productivity reached the point where Division 1 is now entirely in the realm of possibility. Her skilled footwork and touch around the rim were particularly impressive, leading to nearly 16 points per game. Her shot blocking and rebound efforts were equally important. Tanner moves up four places to #11.     +3 As you are no doubt aware by now, Benilde just won it's fourth straight Class 3A State Championship with a lineup that is bursting at the seams with seasoned veterans and precocious youngers of the Division 1 variety. The odds were pretty long back in November that an undersized 9th grader would see the floor at all. Rose defied the odds, earning time in 26 games and making her mark at both ends of the floor. Her athleticism, speed, quickness and tenacity stand out immediately as does her effort on every single play. With the IQ to match, this girl is going places. For now she 's up three to #34.    5 MORE TRENDING UP   #17 [player_tooltip player_id='1090108' first='Addison' last='Harris'] – forward, Minnehaha Academy   The big post player arrived on the Redhawks varsity as a 7th grader appearing in 26 games and showing all of the signs that she is going to be special. Her 8th grade season was lost to injury but Addison more than made up for it this winter. She's now a force on the inside, a sizeable forward who makes her presence felt at both ends of the floor. She's got touch and feel and a certain smoothness that will serve her well.   #22 [player_tooltip player_id='1244229' first='Lucy' last='Hilgert'] – guard, Chanhassen   After making her presence felt on the Storm varsity as an 8th grader, the lengthy guard had an outstanding freshman campaign. She was a key piece in Chanhassen's starting five, who played nearly all of the minutes while leading their team to the State Tournament for the first time. Lucy averaged 15 points per game and left her fingerprints all over the proceedings.   #24 [player_tooltip player_id='1090111' first='Riley' last='Beyer'] – guard, Alexandria   The crafty point guard played a huge role this season as the Cardinals made the transition to a younger lineup with a new coaching staff. Beyer was her team's second-leading scorer at 12.4 points per game. She was also second in rebounding (4.4) and assists (2.5) and recorded over 50 steals. A crafty ball handler who can shoot lights out from distance, Beyer is also a relentless defender.   #32 [player_tooltip player_id='1280969' first='Ady' last='LaValley'] – guard, Prior Lake   The Lakers were also rebuilding during the winter of 2025-26, a campaign that started slowly and peaked with some major upsets in Class 4A. Along the way some upperclassmen emerged as leaders and younger players had their opportunities to shine. When LaValley's name was called, the lengthy guard delivered. More importantly, she showed flashes of just how much is possible long-term. Ady is a prospect to watch.   #36 [player_tooltip player_id='994012' first='Taylor' last='Nesvig'] – guard, Hancock   The Owls have been quietly going about their business largely out of the girls basketball limelight, but their young leader has been loud, loud, loud! Nesvig scored at a 25-points per game clip this winter in Class A while getting to the free throw line a dozen times per game. She's relentless at both ends of the floor, with the type of speed, explosiveness and effort that yields results. We're expecting big things this summer from Taylor.   How Do the Rankings Work?   If you aren't familiar with the Prep Girls Hoops rankings process the most important thing to know is this: Our rankings are based on a player's potential as a college prospect – not her current performance in high school. That distinction matters.   Among players finishing 9th grade, the high school landscape varies widely. Some are already established varsity contributors with multiple seasons of experience. Others – often those at deep Class 4A programs – may not have played a varsity minute yet. In our evaluation process, both can still project as top prospects. Our goal – working in conjunction with college coaches, AAU coaches and others with deep knowledge of Minnesota players – is to evaluate long-term potential.   For more details, visit the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/how-we-rank/">How We Rank</a> page.

Every year at this time we face the daunting task of evaluating the incoming 9^th graders in order to select the Prep Girls Hoops Freshmen 50 – the best initial ranking of the best prospects in any given class. Despite the challenges, it always seems to sort itself out by September. Now, six months on, it's time to add to the Class of 2029 prospect rankings for the first time. In fact, we're growing the group by 50 percent.