Top 250 Expo Report: 2023s who have improved a lot lately
I love watching players get better. It’s one of the most satisfying aspects of this gig. The thing is, everyone improves at their own pace. Some athletes take baby steps, making almost imperceptible improvements on a regular basis. Then there…
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Continue ReadingI love watching players get better. It’s one of the most satisfying aspects of this gig. The thing is, everyone improves at their own pace. Some athletes take baby steps, making almost imperceptible improvements on a regular basis. Then there are others who play pretty much the same way for a year and then – BOOM! – all of a sudden they make a giant leap to the next level.
There has been no better example of that in recent months than what we have seen from Virginia Johnson. We recently chronicled Minneapolis Southwest freshmen’s improvement in depth (you can read the story here) and we saw it again Oct. 5 at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. This kid is legit. But she is by no means the only Minnesota prospect who has taken big steps forward in recent months.
A couple of days ago we told you about Coon Rapids junior Ella Giorgi, a big post player who has taken it up a few notches. Ditto for Elk River freshman Ella Johnson, and Lakeville South junior Adi Brown. Today we offer some additional thoughts on Johnson and four other freshmen who have improved a lot.
Virginia Johnson, 5’9 guard, 2023, Minneapolis Southwest
This kid can shoot it. We saw it again on Sunday at Breakdown Fall League in Bloomington. The lefty is just so smooth, and the ball comes off her fingers so softly. This asset will carry her a long way in the game of basketball. The thing that showed up moreso in the two games this weekend was her evolving leadership. Virginia is quiet, but you can see on the court now that she is becoming more assertive and more vocal and is gradually realizing just how much of the Lakers’ success is going to depend on her. By mid-season I suspect we are going to see Johnson take another big step forward.
Abby Krzewinski, 5’10 guard/forward, 2023, Wayzata
We watched Abby all summer with Crossfire. We watched Abby at the PGH Top 250. We watched Abby the past two Sundays. And we have been talking a lot about Abby as we finalize the first prospect rankings of the Class of 2023. The kid is good. And getting better. And heading for great. At least that’s how it looks right now. Krzewinski’s game has evolved over the past year or so, and it’s evident now that she has the body, the physicality and the mental toughness to play at a very high level. Once the jump shot gets honed, and the overall skillset evolves, Krzewinski is going to be a very fine scholarship-level player.
Chloe Brunsberg, 5’10 forward, 2023, Southwest Christian
She has been lurking in the shadows for the past year or so, but apparently it is starting to come together for Chloe Brunsberg, the long, lanky forward from Southwest Christian in Chaska. The player we saw at the Expo was a much more polished version than what we saw three months ago with Minnesota Fury 2023 Yellow. Chloe is still growing into her body, but the movements are getting smoother as her skills get better. Brunsberg appeared in 22 games as an 8th grader and was top 6 on a team that plays in the Minnesota River Conference against the likes of Jordan, Mayer-Lutheran and Norwood-Young America. In other words, Brunsberg wasn’t facing cupcake opponents and she got the job done. We’re excited to see the improvement continue.
Emily Crandall, 5’9 guard, 2023, Sartel
Part Bulldog, part firefly, all in. Emily Crandall is seemingly everywhere. People sometimes tell me we are biased in our evaluation of players. It’s true. I have a serious bias in favor of players who fly around the court, work their tails off and play the game with passion – the Mikayla Aumer, Kelly Boyle, Paige Meyer types. We are also impressed with Crandall. She’s an athletic guard with a high motor who brings energy to the proceedings every time out. She can also shoot the basketball, sees the floor very well and has a solid frame for a freshman. Crandall winters at Sartell but her summer home is with Suns 2023 Bluestar where she is in cahoots with a number of other very nice prospects including Shantel Harden of Burnsville, and Karlee Fisher and Savannah McGowan of Armstrong.
Lilah Bergen, 5’8 guard, 2023, Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights is in rebuilding mode, and the construction project is being built around freshman Lilah Bergen. The stocky guard averaged 6 points per game last season, third best for a Hylanders squad that won just three times. With the graduation of Destiny Vaughan, Bergen will need to play a big role in leading CH out of the wilderness. Lilah is a terrific defender, a nice ball handler and has excellent court vision. She gets to the basket thanks to an aggressive style and a confident approach to the game. Lilah’s effort level is consistently excellent, and like Crandall she’s got a big motor. Once Bergen’s mid-range jumper becomes more consistent the Minnesota Heat prospect is going to take it up another notch.
Top photo: Guard Emily Crandall of Sartell is among the Minnesota freshmen who have taken big steps forward. (Photo by Chris Drake, Prep Girls Hoops)