Top Performances at the "Who's Next Combine"

[program_tooltip program_id='787122' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] held their annual "Who's Next Combine" Monday, June 24th at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. There was a load of talent with nearly 50 high school athletes from across the state and surrounding states as well. The combine allowed athletes to test their physical skills athletically, show off their ball handling abilities, demonstrate shooting ability, and apply their talents during small-sided games as well as live 5 on 5 competition! This talented group did not disappoint! Here are my top performances on the day.   Jadyn Kor - Pipestone, MN - 5'10" G/F - Class of 2026   <ul> <li>Jadyn showed out at the combine on both ends of the floor. She attacks the basket really well on offense and knocked down most of the shots she took. She has a high basketball IQ and knows what a quality shot within the offense looks like. Running the floor in transition was a big plus in her game as she operated well on the break and did a great job scoring or setting up her teammates on the move. Her vision and passing were showed off all day as she had several assists to her teammates. On defense she moves well, anticipates, and just plays flat out solid on that end.</li> </ul>   Emma Lingren - Tea - 5'5" G - Class of 2028   <ul> <li>Emma checks in as the shortest top performer in the combine but she has big time skills. This kid was all over the place all combine long. She works her tail off and has a really high motor and the ability to lead a squad. In the ball handling portion she was one of the most impressive with really tight handles that keep her ball secure and effective in beating defenders off the bounce. She changes speeds very effectively and keeps her defender off balance. Once she gets to the paint she has excellent footwork and body control to find a way to finish. Really great performance for this young lady as she looked like one of the most pure point guards at the event.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='929574' first='Hayden' last='Weber'] - Sioux Falls O'Gorman - 5'8" G - Class of 2028   <ul> <li>Hayden screams potential. She's a young athlete with highly advanced skills and a great basketball build. She is really smooth in everything she does from handling it, shooting it, or passing it and she has excellent length that bodes well for her on both ends. She finished shots really well all day and was one of the best at elevating in the mid-range to knock down jump shots. Defensively she had excellent closeouts and blocked a couple shots on the perimeter during the 5 on 5.</li> </ul>   Addison Walter - Cedar Catholic, NE - 5'11" F - Class of 2026   <ul> <li>Addison was arguably my MVP for the event! She showed up in every area possible and her team in the live competition always seemed to be competing with her being a big reason why. I had more notes on her than anyone on the day as she showcased a really good all around game. She has excellent frame and athleticism with a really high basketball IQ and passion for the game. She showed great patience offensively knowing how to get to her spots to score or find a teammate with spot-on passes. Her vision and passing in the 3 on 3 action was the most impressive of anyone. She has a really complete game that features post play, dribble-drive, and knocking down shots on the outside.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='421710' first='Bree' last='Umbreit'] - Sioux Falls Jefferson - 6'2" F/C - Class of 2026   <ul> <li>Bree looked like hands down the most physical, aggressive, and polished post player at the event. She showed off really nice footwork on the inside and had some of the most sound moves during the post play drills. Her mid-range shot is consistent and she had some great catch and finishes off of pick and roll action in the live competition. She had an excellent influencer move to a drop-step finish inside and made the most out of post touches. Great blend of a 6'2" frame and athleticism, keep your eye on this young lady as a stock-riser and someone who will undoubtedly get more attention throughout the summer and next season. </li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='443684' first='Josie' last='Brouwer'] - Andes Central/Dakota Christian - 5'7" G - Class of 2025   <ul> <li>Josie stood out time and time again during the combine whether it be her explosiveness off the dribble, her ability to post-up with mismatches and make you pay, or her intense defense. She showed great moves off the dribble and has really nice handles. Her ability to blow by defenses makes her team a threat whether it be getting to the rim to finish or creating for a kickout shot for a teammate. She can guard multiple positions and shows great flexibility positionally on both ends of the court.</li> </ul>   Jordyn Scott - Lyman - 5'10" G - Class of 2028   <ul> <li>Jordyn was one of the most impressive individuals on the day partly due to her incredible length and athleticism. She has really effective body control when going to the basket and has the length to finish over defenders. She's quick, smart, and does a really nice job reading defenders to find her spots to score. On defense she does a great job containing the ball with the ability to apply pressure while staying in great guarding position. Big day for the talented guard from Lyman!</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='388883' first='Mak' last='Scott'] - Lyman - 6'0" F/C - Class of 2026   <ul> <li>Mak garners a lot of attention in South Dakota girls basketball and for good reason! Older sister of Jordyn (above) she heads into what will undoubtedly be a big year for her as a junior at Lyman. She has all of the physical tools you look for in elite prospects with immense length, height, athleticism, and pairs all of that with a really high basketball IQ and a lot of experience. She can score from everywhere and featured a post-up game, really solid ability to hit in the mid-range, as well as knocked down threes at the combine. Transition basketball showed off her pure talent as at 6'0" she can run the floor and get layups as well as handle the ball as the point guard and operate the break.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='404939' first='Claire' last='Woods'] - Sioux Falls Washington - 5'6" G - Class of 2025   <ul> <li>Claire is a gamer! She has all of the intangibles and was one of the most vocal, energetic players at the event. In the early skills session of the combine she showed great focus, precision passing, and really organized footwork. Fundamentally speaking, she was one of the most sound at the combine. Her shot features a smooth rhythmic dip of the ball and a consistent follow-through. She knocked down a lot of shots all day long whether in the skills portion or live play. Defensively she has quick feet and plays with a lot of activity. She made a lot of nice stops 1 v 1 against other top prospects throughout the day.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='917144' first='Bella' last='Williams'] - Kadoka - 5'10" F - Class of 2025   Bella was an intriguing player for me to watch as I hadn't seen her play in person yet. She did not disappoint and is a big-time stock riser following this event. She was one of the most fundamentally sound athletes at the combine and showed out early on in the skills portion with really nice handles, great body control, and made smart play after smart play in the live sessions as well. On offense she gets her shot off fast, does all the work before the pass to set herself up, and scores it with confidence. She was very active defensively on the day and proved she could guard a variety of top prospects. Stock is up on Bella and she is a name to keep your eye on!   [player_tooltip player_id='929560' first='Izzie' last='Eide'] - Centerville - 5'6" G - Class of 2028   Izzie was one of the youngest players at the combine but you wouldn't know it. Entering her freshman year she has room for growth but showcases an already really polished game and one of the most competitive mindsets you will find out there. In the skills portion she may have hit more shots from deep as well as the mid-range than any other player. Some players are "shooters" but this girl is a "maker"! She has a diverse skillset that allows her to handle the ball and run the point as well as play off the ball and get to her spots to score. A lot of bounce in her step she is constantly checking the defense for driving lanes and really makes people work to defend her. She was my "energy giver" of the event as I'm not sure if she ever stopped smiling, gave out tons of high 5's, and shows an unmatched positive spirit that truly loves the game of basketball.   [player_tooltip player_id='421631' first='Sadie' last='Mehrman'] - Sioux Falls O'Gorman - 5'10" G/F - Class of 2027   Sadie has become somewhat of a household name in South Dakota girls basketball and for good reason. She showed off her skillset in a big way at the combine and gets it done on all levels. Always an added bonus, she's a lefty and showed off a really smooth jump shot that she gets off extremely quick! She doesn't require much space to get her shot off and proved very tough to guard even for some of the best defenders at the event. A smart player she's a true floor general who understands how to operate an offense. Her teams always appeared competitive in the live action and I think she was a large reason why. Big performance out of a big-time talent in Sadie!

Sanford Sports Academy held their annual "Who's Next Combine" Monday, June 24th at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. There was a load of talent with nearly 50 high school athletes from across the state and surrounding states as well. The combine allowed athletes to test their physical skills athletically, show off their ball handling abilities, demonstrate shooting ability, and apply their talents during small-sided games as well as live 5 on 5 competition! This talented group did not disappoint! Here are my top performances on the day.