11 Names To Know: Rotary edition
After focusing on the established stars last week, here are some under-the-radar prospects worth noting from last week's Rotary Holiday Classic in Rochester. Sarah Althaus, Chaka (2017) Eighth-grader Kaylee VanEps is the future in Chaska, but Althaus is the present. The 5-7…
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Continue ReadingAfter focusing on the established stars last week, here are some under-the-radar prospects worth noting from last week's Rotary Holiday Classic in Rochester.
Sarah Althaus, Chaka (2017)
Eighth-grader Kaylee VanEps is the future in Chaska, but Althaus is the present. The 5-7 senior point guard runs the show while averaging 18 ppg. She's not currently in our rankings, but that will change in our upcoming revamp.
Hallie Olson, Mayo (2018)
When we last wrote about her during the 2015-16 season, she had about 15 turnovers as the fill-in point guard after Liv Korngable went down. This year? She's stepped into the starting lineup to average about 11 ppg, highlighted by a 20-point night against Osseo and 17 against Lakeville North. She connected on 10 treys in the two games, including a 5-5 showing against North.
Keegan Mulvihill, New Prague (2017)
The 5-8 wing is crazy athletic and a good defender. Plus, she jumps out of the gym. But she's also shooting under 25% 35% (typo) this season and isn't great with the ball. I saw her have some nice games this summer, so there's collegiate potential here for a program willing to put in a little work to refine her skills.
Foney Marcellino, Mayo (2019)
This lanky lefty has stepped into a leading role for the Spartans, who are 6-2. The 5-9 forward has a quick first step and defends very well, using her length well. She posted 11-6 against Osseo, essentially playing Azaria Reed to a draw before struggling against Lakeville North.
Rachael Ojeikhodion, John Marshall (2018)
This 5-10 post is a handful inside, but she walks a fine line between production and gunning. She gave PEM fits by using her strength inside to rebound and seal. When she's playing well, she's a beast. However, she had trouble guarding Anoka's Brittany Bongartz (who doesn't?) and can toss up some questionable shots.
Tori Wortz, Hutchinson (2017)
We've got her pretty high in our rankings already — #26 — but I'm including her here anyway because she's a personal favorite. I love her grit. She's all over the floor, rebounds well above her 5-8 frame and is often asked to defend a big since the Tigers start no one taller than 5-9. The St. Cloud State recruit happened to average 20 ppg last week as Hutchinson snapped out of its slump.
Zaraya March, Bloomington Kennedy (2019)
The 5-10 sophomore is leading the Eagles in scoring at around 13 ppg, which is what she finished with against Como Park. She's long and athletic, capable of scoring from inside and out. We already have her rated #56 in Class of 2019, but this note is to highlight her transfer from Cretin to Bloomington Kennedy.
Helen Staley, Rosemount (2021)
This 6-foot 8th grader was a handful off the bench against Lourdes. She sealed well and showed nice patience in the paint, using her strength well. However, the young lefty struggled in an expanded role against Hutchinson. She figures to take on a leading role next season so her development is critical for Rosemount's future.
Marissa Grothe, Chaska (2019)
A young 6-1 post who showed flashes last weekend. She's raw on the offensive end, but she moves well and works hard. She blocked a spinning post move against Lourdes, then chased down a transition opportunity for another block in the 55-46 win. If she adds a scoring punch, she becomes a great complement to Kaylee VanEps for the next few years.
Nicole Elias, Rosemount (2017)
Elias is far from an unknown product, sitting at #150 in our 2017 rankings. She's headed to UW-Whitewater, but I'm including her here anyway after watching her do the dirty work against Hutchinson. While Maddy Olson was setting records, Elias posted 7 points, 11 boards and 4 blocks. Her offensive game remains a work-in-progress, but she locks down the paint pretty well for the Irish.
Wynter Bergner, Lourdes (2018)
I like teammates Megan Hobday and Alyssa Ustby more, but Bergner is still an intriguing small-school prospect. The 5-11 junior hit 5 treys against Chaska en route to 19 points, one day after firing blanks against Rosemount. She's got limited mobility while playing the stretch-4, but she's dangerous from deep when her feet are set.