Best Backcourt Performances from the Minnesota Stars Fall Shootout
There were opportunities aplenty this weekend for players and teams to tune-up for the upcoming high school season. The Minnesota Stars AAU club hosted a great event at Bloomington Kennedy on Sunday that included both high school teams and AAU…
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Continue ReadingThere were opportunities aplenty this weekend for players and teams to tune-up for the upcoming high school season. The Minnesota Stars AAU club hosted a great event at Bloomington Kennedy on Sunday that included both high school teams and AAU squads from the area. Here are some of the best guard performances from the day.
Olivia Anderson (2021) – Anoka – Anderson drew the match-up of future Minnesota Golden Gopher Sara Scalia in Anoka’s first game against Stillwater. Olivia was up to the challenge, holding Scalia in check for much of the game. Anderson impressed on the offensive end as well. She moved efficiently off the ball, and finished well around the basket.
Katie Borowicz (2021) – Minnesota Stars/Roseau – Borowicz was playing with her MN Stars Hersch team this weekend. She picked up right where she left off this summer with truly outstanding performances throughout the day. The most remarkable stretch for Borowicz came during the Stars’ first game in which they found themselves down 5 with under a minute to play. Katie had 3 steals during the final 60 seconds and gave her team a shot to win the game. The final shot rimmed out, and the Stars lost by one, but Borowicz’s effort was impressive to say the least.
Mikayla Kanenwisher (2020) – Minnesota Stars/Elk River – Kanenwisher played with her Minnesota Stars Antl team on Sunday. The Stars didn’t have particularly close match-ups in their first two games, and Kanenwisher stood out as consistently putting her teammates in positions to succeed. She handled defensive pressure like a veteran, and facilitated for her teammates. Mikayla played the point guard position in a way that would make any coach happy.
Jersi McAlpine (2020) – Anoka – It was my first time watching McAlpine play, and I came away impressed by the scrappy guard’s play and confidence. McAlpine went toe-to-toe with Stillwater’s Alexis Pratt who is widely considered one of the quickest guards in the state. McAlpine scored consistently from all areas of the floor, showcasing her pull-up jumper throughout the day when she would get her defenders on their heels.
Abby Schulte (2020) Minnesota Stars/Maple Grove – Schulte was also playing with Stars Antl this weekend, and dazzled throughout the day. She plays with a poise that seems to be contagious for her teammates. Everything Abby does is smooth, never rushed or hurried. Schulte drove the ball well throughout the day and made a point to find her post players each time they had position on the inside.
TRIO OF FRESHMEN ON THE BIG STAGE
Having just posted the first Class of 2022 Rankings last week, it was timely that three freshmen from the Freshman 50 had their talents on full display with their varsity teams this weekend.
Ellie Buzzelle (2022) – Rogers – The first thing I noticed about Buzzelle is that she looks taller and longer than she did even earlier this summer. Ellie is known for her outside shot, and while that wasn’t falling for her as often this weekend, she did a lot of other things well. Buzzelle confidently ran the point guard position for one of the two Rogers platoons. She moved well without the ball, and attacked the basket aggressively in transition. Buzzelle will be a key player for the Royals this winter.
Ella Campbell (2022) – Edina – The Hornets’ star guard, Macy Nilsen, wasn’t playing this weekend. That opened up opportunities for others to step up, and Campbell seized hers. Ella found her way to the basket time and time again, slicing her way past defenders. Campbell was particularly effective in transition, and defended well throughout the morning. Campbell’s fellow freshman teammate Dorothy Stotts also had a solid weekend for the Hornets.
Desiree Ware (2022) – Minnetonka – The spotlight of varsity basketball is nothing new for Ware, who scored 8 points per game for Maranatha last year as an 8th grader. But 4A hoops are a different ball game, and the Minnetonka transfer looks to be up for the challenge. Ware started at the point guard spot for the Skippers on Sunday, and was the team’s best floor general. Minnetonka struggled against DeLaSalle, but Desiree handled the Islanders’ pressure well. The most telling nugget from the weekend was how much better Minnetonka’s offense flowed when Ware was in the game versus when she was on the bench. It was impressive to see the way that she is already positively impacting her team.
Keep an eye out for the best frontcourt performances from the Stars Fall Shootout which will be posted soon.
Cover photo of Jersi McAlpine courtesy of ABC Newspapers
Mikayla Kanenwisher photo courtesy of the Star News
Ellie Buzzelle photo courtesy of the Star News