Best of Day 1 at the North Tartan Meltdown

As the North Tartan Meltdown and AAU National Championship tipped off Wednesday we were reminded of just what an exceptional event this turns out to be every July. With 225 teams on hand, and more than 200 college coaches in attendance, it is the last chance AAU opportunity for college prospects to impress recruiters in Minnesota this season. While most of the attention on day 1 was focused on the action at Shakopee, we ventured to Kennedy High School in Bloomington to watch the younger players do their thing. These were five of the best performers we evaluated.   Morgan Korf – 2026 guard, Pelican Rapids (Inspired Athletics)   We opened the afternoon with a match-up of two of the most-gifted guards in the class of 2026 going head-to-head: [player_tooltip player_id="339175" first="Brooklyn" last="Lewis"] (New Ulm) of Minnesota Rise 2026 and Morgan Korf (Pelican Rapids) of Inspired Athletics. The encounter did not disappoint. Korf (pictured above) is a special talent. She has already proven that in the high school arena where she plays for her dad Brian, coach of the Class 2A Vikings. This spring and summer, Morgan has elevated her game even higher as her Fargo-based squad has captured more than its share of Ws. Korf had another great day on Wednesday, running the show for the IA crew with poise and precision, playing with a high degree of energy and pace, and scoring the basketball every which way. She finished with 12 points in a 10-point win over the Rise and had 23 in a similar victory over Let It Rain Black. Korf looks much older than her age and plays at a level well beyond the norm. She thinks the game like a veteran and has clearly worked to develop her skill set, as well. Morgan plays with pace and always seems to have an extra gear she can employ when it's really needed. The 5'8 point guard fits the definition of a true floor general and promises to be one of the best prospects in the Class of 2026.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Maddie-Ohm3-crop-1896x1245-1658396909-300x197.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-464735" /></figure>   Madison Ohm – 2026 guard, Rochester Century (North Tartan Southeast)   North Tartan's 2026 affiliate from Southeastern Minnesota has very quietly put together a strong summer, winning the D2 state championship and knocking off some really good teams along the way. They scored a pair of wins on Wednesday, beating Chapman Basketball Academy of Wisconsin in the first game of the afternoon and scoring an impressive win over Playmakers Shaw in the final game of the evening. Mya Jacobson of Rochester Century has lit up the scoreboard all summer, Lauren Hust of Rochester Lourdes has done likewise, and we really like the long-term potential of Caledonia's [player_tooltip player_id='902452' first='Aubrie' last='Klug']. The one player you definitely need to see, however, is Century guard Madison Ohm, who was outstanding on Wednesday. Watching her move about the floor with ease, it's not surprising to learn that Ohm comes from a long line of exceptional athletes. She has very light feet, tremendous straight line speed, excellent acceleration and a quick first step. She can explode and elevate to the basket and knows how to finish when she gets there. She also has nice court awareness and can shoot the basketball. Once Madison gets stronger and can match up physically with bigger, older players, Ohm is going to be special.   Taleigha Bigler – 2026 guard, Marshall (MN Rise Wright)   There are some very talented kids on the Minnesota Rise's 2026 squad coached by Dustin Wright of Triton, including their big three we have written about a lot lately – [player_tooltip player_id="280354" first="Tucker" last="Downs"] of Mankato West, [player_tooltip player_id="339175" first="Brooklyn" last="Lewis"] of New Ulm, and [player_tooltip player_id="339179" first="Brylee" last="Miller"] of Fairmont. Although the Rise had a disappointing day on Wednesday (they lost a 42-40 heartbreaker to All Iowa Attack Nike Red on a questionable whistle in the game's final seconds after dropping their opening game to Inspired Athletics by 10) the trio combined for 45 points. It was the improved play of point guard Taleigha Bigler that caught our eye. Taleigha is a highly-talented ball-handler with advanced skills and a nice feel for the game. She is the daughter of Southwest Minnesota State men's coach Brad Bigler, so she has had access to some advanced development and court time. What we've seen over the course of the summer season, though, is Bigler's notable improvement. Her decision making has matured a lot, along with her sense of timing and pacing, and her ability to make the right play under pressure. At 5'6, with a fairly slight frame, Bigler isn't going to overwhelm anyone with her size or strength but she can definitely outfox defenders one-on-one and think her way to the basket. This is a player with a bright future.   Kyleigh Noble – forward, Princeton (FBC North Real England)   Londa England's 2026 squad has had a solid summer as the St. Paul Como Park coach led them to a D2 runner-up finish at the Minnesota State AAU tournament. Along the way, her players have really grown in maturity, execution and poise. That would include England's daughter [player_tooltip player_id='923678' first='Ahmani' last='Crump'], who is the sister of 2022 graduate Ronnie Porter now at Wisconsin. Feisty guard Kaja Nash also impressed on Wednesday. But the player with the most upside is probably 6'1 forward Kyleigh Noble of Princeton. We first encountered her back in November at the Breakdown Fall League where her exceptional length, excellent mobility and defensive prowess caught our attention. Fast forward eight months and Noble has started to fill out, gotten stronger, and continued to grow her game. She's super long and lean, with an incredible wingspan and reach and a nice sense of anticipation and timing, which has helped her become a solid rebounder and shot blocker. Kyleigh is also a very good passer who sees the court, makes good decisions and has a nice motor. After confusion on the starting time and a late arrival to the gym, FBC North fell 34-26 in its opening game against Minnesota Fury 2026 Yellow before rebounding with an impressive 60-57 victory over All Iowa Attack Nike Black.   Lakyn Donnelly – 2028 guard, Horace ND (Inspired Athletics)   Inspired Athletics had their fingerprints all over the gym on Wednesday with three high-quality units competing in the 13U and 14U divisions. The Fargo-based program is an affiliate of North Tartan, and the relationship has quickly proven to be mutually beneficial. They have a ton of quality prospects, including Lakyn Donnelly who is an elite soon-to-be 7th grader. Lakyn played in the Prep Girls Hoops Fall League last year. She and Duluth phenom [player_tooltip player_id="433933" first="Chloe" last="Johnson"] were the best of the 2028s there. We have watched her several times this AAU season and it never gets old seeing this uber-talented point guard run the show for IA in multiple age groups. She's really small yet but Donnelly is so skilled that it doesn't matter. This kid has the ball on a string with a set of tools that puts defenders constantly on their heels. Her court vision is exceptional. Her passing might be better. Lakyn has all of the things you can't teach, and she has put in the time to hone those assets that you can. Her shooting is a thing of beauty. Donnelly established the tone for her team on Wednesday as they recorded a pair of convincing wins by a combined 53 points competing one year up. She'll play varsity this year at Horace.

As the North Tartan Meltdown and AAU National Championship tipped off Wednesday we were reminded of just what an exceptional event this turns out to be every July. With 225 teams on hand, and more than 200 college coaches in attendance, it is the last chance AAU opportunity for college prospects to impress recruiters in Minnesota this season. While most of the attention on day 1 was focused on the action at Shakopee, we ventured to Kennedy High School in Bloomington to watch the younger players do their thing. These were five of the best performers we evaluated.