5 sophs to see at the Minnesota PGH Top 250 Expo
More than 130 players are expected to compete for exposure Saturday at the first Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Top 250 Expo at Burnsville High School. We have offered a sneak preview this week of 5 seniors and 5 juniors to…
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Continue ReadingMore than 130 players are expected to compete for exposure Saturday at the first Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Top 250 Expo at Burnsville High School. We have offered a sneak preview this week of 5 seniors and 5 juniors to watch at the event. Today we give you 5 sophomores to see. Tomorrow we’ll follow up with 5 freshmen you’ll want to watch.
Players are listed in the order of their Prep Girls Hoops 2022 prospect ranking as of last spring. AAU clubs shown are those the players competed for in 2019.
Ella Campbell of EdinaElla Campbell (#30), 5’9 guard, Edina (Stars Nilsen) – Ella will be one of the most gifted players at the Expo. She has been an impact player on the varsity level for three seasons already, first at Minneapolis Southwest and more recently at Edina where she averaged 6.7 points per game on a very defense-minded squad. The savvy combo guard is mature, and knows how to think the game at a high level. Campbell is an excellent outside shooter, but there is so much more in her arsenal than that. She’s adept at finessing her way past defenders to get to the hoop. She’s also a solid defender and reliable with the basketball. If you are looking for a scholarship-level guard who does the little things you need to look at Ella.
Jocelyn Plonski of EaganJocelyn Plonski (#53), 6’0 forward, Eagan (Stars Nilsen) – Plonski is Campbell’s teammate on Matt Nilsen’s top 2022 Minnesota Stars team but they could not be more different. Plonski is a big, physical post with a huge body, nice footwork and good hands. She has a calm, focused demeanor and a bit of a mean streak. Jocelyn sees the floor well, is an outstanding passer, and knows how to rebound the basketball. Plonski executed one of the highlight reel plays of the summer with a home-run, floor-length pass to Campbell at the Summer Kickoff that enabled her team to win it at the buzzer.
Natalie Bremer (#65) 5’10 guard, Lake City (Southern Minnesota Fury) – Natalie is long and lean, with big athletic strides, and natural athleticism. She’s a slasher with good handles and quick feet who really knows how to take it to the hole. Bremer can shoot from significant distance and is a consistent scorer averaging 20 ppg over two seasons. Bremer exceeded the 20-point mark 15 times last year, including a season-high 31 points at Chatfield. When the Tigers need a big basket at an important moment there’s a very good chance that Natalie will be the one to pull the trigger. Did we mention she can really rebound? She can.
Kiera Albers (#68), 5’3 guard, Maple Grove (DTA Academy) – Albers is one of the most highly-skilled guards in the 2022 class. Kiera had a nice summer with DTA Academy where she proved once again that she can compete at a very high level. The challenge for her will be maintaining that momentum during the high school season where she plays for a guard-heavy squad at Maple Grove. Last year she made 7 or 8 varsity appearances. This year she’ll continue to compete for minutes. Next year when Abby Schulte graduates the door will open a whole lot wider. In the meantime watch how well she sees the floor, how far her range extends and how hard she competes on every single possession.
Shakyla Walker (NR), 5’6 guard, Como Park (MN/WI Force) – On a Como Park roster loaded with young talent it can be hard to get recognition playing behind the likes of Kaylynn Asberry, Ronnie Porter, Jada James and Shania Van Nett. Still Walker averaged 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game as a freshman. By joining the Force this summer Walker started to demonstrate what she can do on her own and she showed us a lot. Walker is athletic, physical, focused and relentless. She fights on every single possession. Shakyla can play multiple positions and has a high IQ. Walker won’t blow you away with her speed or skill but she’ll impress with her grit and gumption. What team doesn’t need a little more of both?
Top photo: Sophomore Shakyla Walker is often overshadowed by her Como Park teammates Ronnie Porter (left) and Kaylynn Asberry (right) but is starting to establish herself as a college prospect in her own right.