Following another strong summer with West Central United , Karlgaard was one Team 11’s top performers on Sunday. Quick, bouncy, and light on her feet, the 5’7 guard used that athleticism to her advantage on the defensive end, creating a disruptive force out on the perimeter. As she often does, Sophia made plenty of hustle plays too. The Detroit Lakes sophomore didn’t hesitate to force a turnover, save a ball from going out of bounds, and was always the first to get on the ground and fight for a loose ball. Just as effective on the offensive end, we’re suspecting Karlgaard will put up some big numbers for the Lakers this season.

Having been on our radar for a couple of years now, Karlgaard has shown some major improvements in her game. The hard working, scrappy guard served as a glue player for West Central United ‘s top 2029 team last summer, and was a high-octane scorer for Detroit Lakes over the winter. Sophia’s game isn’t flashy, but she is a consistent outside shooter, highly effective rebounder for her position, and brings an ultra-competitive blue-collar attitude to the floor. The Lakers freshman put up some big numbers this season, including a 27 point performance against Rocori back in December.

Karlgaard has emerged as a key piece for the top West Central United 2029 group after working her way up from the second team where she played in 2024. Tough, scrappy, and competitive, she combines quickness and vision with improved shooting mechanics and a high degree of confidence. Sophia attacks the rim, dishes effectively, and defends relentlessly. She rebounds her position well, hustles for loose balls, and makes life hard for opposing guards. Sophia had an outstanding day on Sunday.