Spring Showdown Top Performers: The Youngsters
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With a lot of teams traveling for the first time this weekend, I got to sit down and watch some of the young talent coming up. This weekend I focused on the top brackets in the 8th and 9th grade…
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Continue ReadingWith a lot of teams traveling for the first time this weekend, I got to sit down and watch some of the young talent coming up. This weekend I focused on the top brackets in the 8th and 9th grade divisions. I saw a lot of high IQ basketball being played. These kids know how to effectively run offensive sets and are in the right spots on defense.
For the 8th grade blue division, the 7th grade teams playing up really took over, with three 7th grade teams finishing in the top 4.
From the North Tartan 13U Nike team there were three kids who impressed me. Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN , the combo guard, did what she does best and attacked the hoop finishing in many different ways. She also stepped out from beyond the arc and knocked down threes. She finished the tournament with 50 points across four games. Lanelle Wright Lanelle Wright 5'8" | PG Minnetonka | 2026 State MN was also a standout to me. She lets the game come to her and I like that she doesn’t force anything. She will be a player in the future that will be able to control the pace of the game with her maturity and basketball IQ. She’s not much of an outside shooter but can take any girl off the dribble and finish strong. She ended the tournament with 25 total points. Last but not least the kid with a legendary name, Maya Moore, and I’m not talking about the Minnesota Lynx player. Maya is a very quick small guard. She likes to find herself outside the arc for a drive-and-kick three. She may be one of the best shooters in 7th grade. She made a total of 7 threes this weekend totaling 27 total points across four games.
From the Minnesota Stars 13U Hill team, who finished first in the top 8th grade bracket, has a lot of kids with potential, but one in particular stood out to me. Alliyah Bell plays the post for the Stars, she’s got a nice tall figure and crashes the boards hard on both offense and defense. When she gets an offensive board she knows to put it back up instead of kick it out. She’s strong and if you don’t box her out, you are what Shaq likes to say “bbq chicken”.
From the Minnesota Comets 14U Uter team there was one girl who consistently showed us “she’s up next”. Addison Pilarski kept her team close in a lot of games and knows how to score the ball. This weekend she led her team in points putting in 18 two-pointers, and 19 free-throws across the four games.
Other standouts from 8th grade Blue division:
Gracie Winge – 8th grade, Minnesota Heat Hinck (featured in Grant’s article)
Brandi Washington – 8th grade, Minnesota Metro Stars
Monica Stang – 7th grade, Minnesota Stars Kolden
Cierra Kortan – 8th grade, North Tartan 14U Elite
For the 9th grade blue division, one 8th grade team playing up really took over, winning the championship over a strong 9th grade team.
From the North Tartan 14U Nike team, there were two kids who impressed me, however this team has a whole bunch of stars in the making. They execute their offense very well and know when to make the extra pass. Sophie Hawkinson Sophie Hawkinson 5'8" | CG Wayzata | 2025 State MN , the combo guard used her strong and fast stature to get to the hoop and finish. Sophie is the definition of an athlete. Her potential is through the roof and unlike most of her teammates she hasn’t played in a high school game yet. Sitting at like 5’5 she hasn’t hit her growth spurt yet but her strength, speed and high basketball IQ puts her above the rest. Sophie ended the tournament with 45 points across the four games. Addison Mack Addison Mack 5'9" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2025 State MN also had a great tournament, controlling the pace of the game for her team. She is a smooth and savvy point guard that makes everything look easy. She’s very lowkey but makes all the right decisions. Mack ended the tournament with 44 points across four games.
From the Southern Minnesota Fury 2024 team, who finished second in the division, had two kids who dominated. Claire McGregor, the combo guard controlled the pace of the game for her team doing what she could to help them win. She didn’t shoot a lot outside the arc but she drove to the basket strong and had nice finishes at the rim. Claire finished the tournament with 45 total points across four games. Taylor Klement is another guard who is strong and can get to the rim and finish. I liked her defensive efforts and her overall control of the game. Taylor finished the weekend with 37 total points.
From the Minnesota Rise 2024 team one girl in particular caught my eye. Kadence Hesse Kadence Hesse 5'10" | PG Sleepy Eye | 2024 State MN the sharp shooter was great in all of her games. This girls can shoot! Most of her points came from beyond the arc where she hit at least two threes in all four of the games, ending up with 9 total made.
Other stand outs from 9th grade Blue division:
Ava Haus – 9th grade, Minnesota Stars Zabel
Gabby Fors – 9th grade, 43 Hoops Black
Tori Schlagel Tori Schlagel 5'9" | CG Eden Prairie | 2025 State MN – 8th grade, North Tartan 14U Nike
Brea Mertz – 9th grade, Minnesota Rise