Top 250 Expo Report: Freshmen guards with star potential
A couple of days ago we brought you a series of evaluations on some big-time freshmen whose names you need to know – players lake Maren Westin of Becker, Taryn Hamling of Grand Rapids and Ella Johnson of Elk River.…
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Continue ReadingA couple of days ago we brought you a series of evaluations on some big-time freshmen whose names you need to know – players lake Maren Westin of Becker, Taryn Hamling of Grand Rapids and Ella Johnson of Elk River. They aren’t the only 9th graders in Minnesota with star potential, however. The 2023 class is deep, and that was fully evident at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo in Burnsville. Here are 5 more budding stars who might have to wait a little while before working their way into the spotlight.
By pure happenstance, all five come from three very strong 4A programs in the Lake Conference. You’ll want to arrive early on game nights to catch some JV action this winter because all of these kids are going to be well worth watching.
Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name
Kelly Boyle, 5’5 guard, 2023, Hopkins
As we told you in our preview of the Top 250 Expo, Kelly Boyle is a bulldog, and she proved it once again at the event. The Hopkins guard is as focused in pursuit of the prize as any player in the 2023 class. Her fire burns hot, hot, hot, and she puts in an incredible amount of work to improve her game on a regular basis. Kelly’s got handles, she’s got heart and she’s going to do whatever it takes to make it to college basketball whether she grows another inch or not. Let’s face it, the Hopkins lineup is as tough to crack as any roster around, and the odds for a 5’5 9th grader aren’t very good. Mark my words, though: Boyle will get her share of varsity minutes this season while running the show for the Royals’ JV.
Jasmine Dupree, 5’7 guard, 2023, Hopkins
Jasmine Dupree can get to the basket against pretty much anyone. That tells you the type of potential she has. Dupree is super athletic, very confident and not at all concerned about taking contact. She also happens to be from Hopkins which means she understands the game, knows what it takes to be successful and is willing to put in the work to earn whatever she gets. Of course playing for the Royals means you have to wait your turn in the lineup and that can sometimes be a very long wait. Jasmine will bide her time, add some tools to her toolkit and continue to compete with some of the best players in the state in practice. Long-term she, too, could be a varsity star.
Ashley Fritz, 5’9 guard, 2023, Eden Prairie
Unlike the other young guards profiled here, Fritz has already been an impact player at the varsity level. She was a mainstay at Hastings during her 7th and 8th grade years. Make no mistake, Fritz is an excellent college prospect, but at the same time the Raiders needed all the help they could get. After choosing to open enroll at Eden Prairie for high school, Fritz is essentially starting over and will have to earn her way into the rotation in a very talented lineup that is loaded with quality guards. Fritz is big and strong, she thinks the game well and she is plenty fast. She’s not afraid to get physical and she’s a cool customer, as well. Fritz’s ball handling has improved and will continue to get better. That will be key to Ashley achieving her tremendous potential.
Priyanka Satish, 5’4 PG, 2023, Eden Prairie
Satish is also at Eden Prairie and she may have an even bigger hill to climb than Fritz considering she is a little behind in both size and experience. Satish does not lack for skill, however, and she is a born leader with a swashbuckling style and an effervescent personality. She attacks the basket with ferocity and can knock down shots from great distance in large quantities. It was no accident that Priyanka made the Prep Girls Hoops Summer All Stars. She was very good week after week for Metro Stars 2023 Wiese. Now she will likely start out the season on the 9th grade team for the Eagles and work her way into the JV lineup. Something tells me she’s probably going to exceed expectations because that is her modus operandi.
Brynn Senden, 5’5 guard, 2023, Wayzata
Senden’s story is somewhat similar to that of Satish. She is a small but athletic and highly skilled guard with great handles, a big motor and that certain something extra that makes you take notice just a little bit longer. Senden is also facing an uphill climb to make it to varsity considering that Wayzata is at least as deep in talent or deeper than Eden Prairie. It’s going to take time but this quality floor general knows what’s what on the basketball court. She is a great facilitator, talks well and often, and is committed to being a quality defender. I seem to recall that Brynn’s dad Stuart Senden played hockey for the Gophers in the 1990s and he was an overachiever, as well. That bodes well for Brynn.
Top photo: Freshman guard Brynn Senden of Wayzata. (Photos by Chris Drake for Prep Girls Hoops)