Sanford Sports' "Who's Next Combine" Recap

Introduction: The [program_tooltip program_id='787122' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] in Sioux Falls, SD, recently hosted the highly anticipated "Who's Next Combine," drawing aspiring young girls basketball players from across South Dakota as well as surrounding states, eager to showcase their skills and potential. This event offered participants a platform to show off their abilities in front of the [program_tooltip program_id='787122' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] coaching staff as well as college coaches. Director of the Basketball Academy at Sanford Sports, Nate Kaeding put on a great event and truly allowed these players to partake in an experience where they could demonstrate their skills while improving them as well with an excellent workout.   Ball Handling Warmup: The combine began with a dynamic ball handling warmup session designed to show off the fundamental skills crucial for effective play on the court. Participants went through a series of drills emphasizing control, agility, and precision, setting the tone for a day.   During this portion several standout players showcased impressive skills and determination. Amyra Mahik from Pipestone, MN, exhibited exceptional control and agility, navigating through drills with precision and confidence. [player_tooltip player_id='488317' first='Emmerson' last='Eppard'] of Chester, SD, demonstrated a high level of understanding of ball handling fundamentals, displaying quick reflexes and efficient moves during the warmup session. Her handles highlighted her commitment to mastering fundamental skills. [player_tooltip player_id='404939' first='Claire' last='Woods'], representing Sioux Falls Washington, stood out with her excellent ball control and consistent footwork. She effortlessly maneuvered through the warmup drills, showcasing a blend of speed and finesse. [player_tooltip player_id='488325' first='Ava' last='Kellenberger'] from Brandon Valley impressed with her consistent execution and attention to detail during the ball handling warmup. She showed off a really nice set of handles and is a smooth operator with the ball.   Skill Development Stations: Throughout the next portion of the event, prospects rotated through skill development stations targeted towards different portions of the game.   At the post-play station, players received personalized coaching on footwork, positioning, and ways to score it near the basket. During this segment several standout players demonstrated impressive skills and physicality, showcasing their ability to dominate near the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id='615380' first='Sydney' last='Spaans'], standing at 6'2" tall from Corsica-Stickney, commanded attention with her imposing physical presence in the post. Her height and strength allowed her to establish position effectively, making her a threat under the basket. Ellie Meyer of Sioux Falls O'Gorman exhibited a combination of finesse and power in the post. She utilizes her quickness and toolkit of moves to outmaneuver opponents. Her footwork was excellent, enabling her to finish with precision around the basket. Her ability to score through a variety of moves highlighted her basketball IQ and adaptability in tight spaces. [player_tooltip player_id='857713' first='Nevaeh' last='Ngor'] from Sioux Falls Jefferson showcased impressive athleticism and determination in the post area. Her physicality and tenacity allowed her to battle for rebounds and establish strong post position. Nevaeh's footwork was was solid as she utilized influencer moves and drop steps to create scoring opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id='658985' first='Natalie' last='Gass'], representing Tea, displayed scoring ability in the post with her solid footwork and a soft touch around the basket. Despite facing taller opponents, Gass utilized her agility and basketball IQ to find scoring angles. Kaylee Traver from Sioux Center showed physicality and aggression time and time again at the event. She is a hard-working player who has a nice mix of strength and speed. She rebounds hard, plays tough-nosed defense, and didn't back down from a challenge all day. [player_tooltip player_id='421710' first='Bree' last='Umbreit'], from Sioux Falls Jefferson, impressed with her strength and agility in the post. Standing out for her physicality, Umbreit utilized her size to establish deep post position and dominate the boards. Her footwork was pivotal in creating separation from defenders and she finished with ease at the event all afternoon long. Umbreit's ability to contribute consistently on both ends of the floor demonstrated her versatility as one of the top performers on the day.   The ball handling station challenged participants to refine their dribbling skills through structured drills designed to improve ball control, speed, and confidence. This station emphasized the importance of versatility in handling the ball, crucial for players in any position on the court. During this portion several standout players distinguished themselves with their exceptional handles, explosiveness, basketball IQ, and ability to consistently make the right play.   Emma Lingren from Tea displayed solid ball-handling skills combined with a high basketball IQ. Her ability to control the pace of the game and navigate through the defense showcased her advanced understanding of the game and court awareness. Lingren's explosiveness off the dribble allowed her to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates, demonstrating her versatility as a playmaker. [player_tooltip player_id='443684' first='Josie' last='Brouwer'] of Andes Central/Dakota Christian exhibited precise ball control and a knack for making smart decisions under pressure. Her solid handles and athleticism enabled her to maneuver through tight spaces and she proved very difficult to guard. Brouwer's high basketball IQ was evident in her ability to read the defense and consistently find open teammates, highlighting her playmaking ability and leadership on the court. Ryan Hanson from Lennox impressed with his explosive dribbling and scoring ability. Despite facing defensive pressure, Hanson's quick first step and change of pace allowed her to penetrate defenses and finish at the rim with ease. Jordyn Scott, representing Lyman, stood out for her solid ball-handling skills and court vision. Scott's ability to handle the ball under pressure and make accurate passes to teammates illustrated her poise and maturity on the court. Her basketball IQ and impressive length enabled her to be in position to make the right decisions consistently, contributing to her team's execution. [player_tooltip player_id='613970' first='Ella' last='Pollreisz'] from Ethan displayed exceptional ball-handling abilities and a high level of basketball IQ. Her smooth handles and ability to change direction quickly allowed her to create separation from defenders and find scoring opportunities. Her consistency in making the right play, whether scoring herself or setting up teammates, highlighted her effectiveness as a playmaker and her overall impact on the game.   Passing drills at another station emphasized precision and decision-making, with players learning to deliver accurate passes while reading the defense. During the passing segment several standout players demonstrated exceptional precision passing, attention to detail, high basketball IQ, and a knack for consistently making the right play to benefit their team.   Abbi Thorton from West Central showcased her ability to deliver precise passes with accuracy and timing. Her understanding of spacing and court vision allowed her to thread the needle often and find open teammates in scoring positions. Thorton's attention to detail in her passing emphasized her commitment to facilitating her team's offense. [player_tooltip player_id='839051' first='Taylor' last='Silvernail'] of Sioux Falls Jefferson stood out for her sharp passing skills and basketball IQ. Her ability to read defenses and anticipate plays enabled her to make quick decisions and execute passes that set up her teammates for high-percentage shots. Her consistency in making the right play highlighted her effectiveness as a facilitator on the court. [player_tooltip player_id='615375' first='Marissa' last='Storm'] from Ethan impressed with her ability to orchestrate the offense through precise passing and advanced decision-making. She showed great court awareness and the ability to manipulate defenses with her passes and play-making ability. Her commitment to making the right play, whether through getting the assist or scoring it herself showed off her skills as a play-maker. Elizabeth Boschee of Sanborn Central/Woonsocket displayed exemplary passing skills as well and were coupled with a high basketball IQ. Her ability to distribute the ball effectively and exploit gaps in the defense allowed her team to help her team find scoring opportunities. Her attention to detail in executing the fundamentals and her ability to read the flow of the game contributed to efficient offensive execution. [player_tooltip player_id='488318' first='Emery' last='Larson'] from Chester exhibited outstanding passing precision and decision-making ability. Larson's ability to control the tempo of the game and find open teammates in transition or half-court settings highlighted her versatility as a playmaker. Her consistent ability to make the right pass for her team leads to an increase in overall offensive efficiency.   Players also focused on attacking the basket, learning techniques for driving to the rim, finishing through contact, and creating scoring opportunities near the basket. During this skill development several standout players showcased their quick step to the rim, ability to finish under pressure, and effective moves to beat defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='929574' first='Hayden' last='Weber'] from Sioux Falls O'Gorman impressed with her explosive first step and ability to attack the basket with aggression. Weber's athleticism and ball-handling skills allowed her to penetrate defenses and create scoring opportunities in the paint. Her smooth finishing ability inside was one part of demonstrating that she is a big-time offensive threat. [player_tooltip player_id='388883' first='Mak' last='Scott'] of Lyman displayed exceptional speed and agility in driving to the rim. Scott's ability to change direction swiftly and navigate through traffic at six feet tall showcased her dynamic ball-handling abilities. Her effective use of dribble moves enabled her to create separation from defenders and finish with ease around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='658991' first='Evie' last='Hoff'] from Brandon Valley stood out for her ability to drive and score with precision. Hoff's smooth handles, quickness, and footwork allowed her to maneuver past defenders and get to the rim. She finishes well at the rim and she showcased her basketball IQ and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id='731164' first='Rylee' last='Peters'] of Freeman exhibited a relentless attacking mentality and a diverse scoring repertoire. Her combination of speed and strength enabled her to drive aggressively to the basket and absorb contact while finishing strong.   In the mid-range shooting area, players worked on refining their shooting mechanics and accuracy from this distance on the court. Several players stood out and really showcased their ability to create separation from defenders, elevate their shots, and consistently hit mid-range jumpers off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='616252' first='Amari' last='Ward'] from Sioux Valley impressed with her ability to maneuver past defenders and create space for mid-range shots. She demonstrated an effective step-back several times as her ball-handling skills allowed her to pull up smoothly off the dribble, showcasing her ability to score it. Her ability to elevate over defenders and hit shots from various angles highlighted her game in this portion. [player_tooltip player_id='917144' first='Bella' last='Williams'] of Kadoka displayed a polished shooting form and a real ability to hit mid-range jumpers in traffic. Williams' ability to find gaps to go by defenders and then rise up and hit contested shots demonstrated her composure and scoring instincts. Her consistency in knocking down shots off the dribble showed a reliability as a mid-range shooter. [player_tooltip player_id='616245' first='Ruth' last='Dvoracek'] from Sioux Falls O'Gorman stood out for her smooth shooting stroke and ability to create scoring opportunities in the mid-range area. She has the rare ability to create separation from defenders and find open shooting windows. Her ability to elevate and release the ball quickly off the dribble showed off her scoring ability. Jadyn Kor of Pipestone, MN exhibited a dynamic scoring ability from the mid-range, combining agility with a quick release on her jump shot. She demonstrated the ability to maneuver through defenders and elevate over the defense with confidence. Her consistent scoring off the dribble and play-making ability were highlighted throughout the combine.   The three-point shooting station focused on developing long-range shooting skills, including proper shooting technique, footwork, and shot selection. Prospects got the chance to show off their shooting range and consistency. [player_tooltip player_id='389268' first='Ava' last='Hanson'] from Aberdeen Roncalli showcased a sharp shooting technique with a quick release and lethal consistency. Her readiness with hands and feet set on the catch allows her to seamlessly transition from receiving the ball to shooting, making her a reliable threat from beyond the arc. Her range extends well beyond the three-point line, enabling her to stretch defenses and create spacing for her team. [player_tooltip player_id='731168' first='Jacy' last='Wolf'] of Chester brought a formidable shooting game to the combine. She showed off her consistent accuracy from long range, excellent shooting mechanics and a knack for finding open spots on the perimeter. At one point I watched her knock down 6 three's in a row during a pass and shoot drill. Her ability to stay poised with hands and feet prepared ensures she can capitalize on scoring opportunities efficiently. Wolf's shooting range was impressive and she proved to be another versatile offensive weapon balling out at the combine.   Small-Sided Games and Live Play Following the skill development stations, participants engaged in 1 v 1, 3 v 3, 4 v 4 and small-sided games designed to simulate game-like scenarios. These sessions allowed players to apply their skills in competitive settings, focusing on individual matchups and decision-making under pressure. The combine would end with live 5 v 5 play where athletes got to show their abilities off in front of coaches while competing against other elite prospects.   Several players showcased play-making ability and elite talent in these portions. One of those being Addison Walter of Cedar Catholic, NE, who impressed with her versatile skill set and high basketball IQ. Walter transitioned well between fast-paced transitions and half-court sets, showcasing exceptional speed and ball-handling. She consistently created scoring opportunities for herself and teammates, demonstrating a knack for finding open shots and finishing around the rim. Her competitive presence and positive attitude boosted team performance, and her defensive commitment and ability to anticipate plays added depth to her overall game. Her all-around contributions showed off her impact as a leader on the basketball court. [player_tooltip player_id='929560' first='Izzie' last='Eide'] from Centerville stood out for her dynamic scoring ability and relentless defensive effort during the combine. Eide's speed and agility allowed her to excel in transition and she was one of the best playmakers at the combine. She displayed a confident shooting touch from beyond the arc and was effective at driving to the basket, drawing fouls and finishing strong. Eide's defensive intensity was unmatched, as she actively disrupted passing lanes and contested shots, contributing significantly to her team's ability to get stops. Her competitive spirit and positive demeanor inspired teammates, making her a standout performer throughout the event. [player_tooltip player_id='421631' first='Sadie' last='Mehrman'] of Sioux Falls O'Gorman showcased her versatility and leadership qualities in the small-sided games and live play at the combine. She exhibited a strong understanding of spacing and playmaking, handling fast-break transitions and orchestrating half-court offense with poise. Her ability to score from various positions on the court highlighted her offensive game, while her defensive tenacity and disciplined fundamentals rounded out a really solid performance on the day. [player_tooltip player_id='421700' first='Sydney' last='Terveen'], also from Sioux Falls O'Gorman, stood out for her dynamic scoring ability and basketball IQ in the combine's competitive environment. Terveen's skill set was highlighted by her ability to initiate fast breaks and play fast. She displayed a confident shooting stroke and playmaking ability, consistently making timely decisions with the ball. Her defensive contributions were equally impactful, as she used her athleticism to apply pressure on opponents and create turnovers. Delaney Downham from Sioux Falls Lincoln made a significant impact with her athleticism and scoring ability throughout the combine. Downham's versatility allowed her to contribute in both fast-paced and structured offensive scenarios, where she showcased a polished scoring touch and adept playmaking skills. Defensively, she used her agility to guard multiple positions effectively, contest shots, and create turnovers. At one point in the live play she made one of the more memorable plays of the combine with a steal and coast-to-coast layup in transition. In a small sided 4 v 4 game, [player_tooltip player_id='929560' first='Izzie' last='Eide']-Centerville, Kaylee Traver - Sioux Center, [player_tooltip player_id='421710' first='Bree' last='Umbreit'] - Tea, and [player_tooltip player_id='329049' first='Ryan' last='Hanssen'] - Lennox had the longest run of "make it, take it" and demonstrated great teamwork and competitiveness. It was fun to see these prospects in action when things got competitive after seeing their fundamental skill earlier in the day.   The "Who's Next Combine" at the [program_tooltip program_id='787122' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] showcased immense talent for a group of aspiring basketball players. From focused skill stations to competitive gameplay, the event provided invaluable opportunities for players to grow and showcase their talents. As a premier platform for player development, [program_tooltip program_id='787122' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] put out yet another quality combine for athletes to demonstrate their skills now and for the next level.

Introduction:
The Sanford Sports Academy in Sioux Falls, SD, recently hosted the highly anticipated "Who's Next Combine," drawing aspiring young girls basketball players from across South Dakota as well as surrounding states, eager to showcase their skills and potential. This event offered participants a platform to show off their abilities in front of the Sanford Sports Academy coaching staff as well as college coaches. Director of the Basketball Academy at Sanford Sports, Nate Kaeding put on a great event and truly allowed these players to partake in an experience where they could demonstrate their skills while improving them as well with an excellent workout.