Nate’s Weekly Evaluations: Part 1, Week 2
In what is a very sad day in the game of basketball, I told myself I would write my weekly evaluations as planned despite the tragedy in the basketball world we learned about today. Kobe Bryant painted a picture of…
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Continue ReadingIn what is a very sad day in the game of basketball, I told myself I would write my weekly evaluations as planned despite the tragedy in the basketball world we learned about today. Kobe Bryant painted a picture of what we all strive for in not only in basketball, but in our everyday lives which is a strong work ethic and a commitment at being the best we can be. Here are my evaluations of the “hardest workers” I watched this week in Minneapolis at the MLK Challenge, and Orono.
Naomi York, Guard, Minneapolis Washburn (2020)
York’s game translated well in sealing the deal against the weaker competition in Bloomington Kennedy. York has has a strength in being a motivator on the court and that was well noticed from the sidelines. She is a strong finisher that can knock down key free throws as well in crunch time situations.
Nora Priede Von Herber, Forward, Minneapolis Washburn (2022)
Perhaps the biggest surprise off the bench was Von Herber, who tallied double digit scoring effort in the Milers game against Kennedy. Her long range game is raw, but she has time to develop even stronger as only a sophomore small forward. Good finisher to the basket which was another strong to her game on Monday morning in Minneapolis
Maia Stevens, Guard, Minneapolis Washburn (2024)
I’ve watched a few younger players this year that I think have raw potential, but you can still tell their “youth” with the basketball. That’s not something that I saw in Maia Stevens on Monday. She takes good shots and handed the Millers a quality performance against Kennedy. Already the third leading scorer for the Millers this season, she’s going to be one we are going to talk about in the Minneapolis City Conference for a very long time.
Kesha White, Center, Minneapolis Washburn (2020)
White is not only the top rebounder I’ve watched this year, but nears tops in the entire state of Minnesota as well. An unsigned 2020 prospect, White is certainly a scholarship level talent that is not afraid at all to use her size regardless the size of her opponent. She got some opportunities handle the ball in this one and that’s a possible weakness in the post, as I think she can get better on putting the ball on the deck and finishing with more power. Otherwise, a stout performance by White on Monday and her Millers team.
Kari Johnson, Guard, Minneapolis Washburn (2020)
When I calculate team points (points that make your team better) there’s always a player that stands out vs. the rest, and to me that was Kari Johnson of Washburn. She spread the love with her passing, ball stealing abilities and scored her fair share as well on Monday.
Ashlee Burchette, Guard, Bloomington Kennedy (2023)
The youngest player, but the top scorer for Kennedy was Burchette. She is a raw talent but showed her stuff on Monday morning. Has good outside range and shows strength with her finishes in the post. Kennedy hasn’t showed a lot of life this year, but Burchette’s potential is a bright spot they have going for their program in the near future.
Catie Carlson, Guard, St. Paul Highland Park (2020)
Carlson has a good handle with the basketball to go along with a good looking outside shot especially when she get’s the opportunity to catch and shoot. Highland Park is a disciplined program, but from what I saw from Monday is that quick shots are not something they like to drum up. Carlson may have been a little quick with her “catch and shoot” mentality, but she was able to have some success on Monday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Morgan Jones, Center, St. Paul Highland Park (2021)
Perhaps the most dominant junior from the Scots, Morgan Jones has great effort on the boards. At only 5’8, but a strong build, Jones bodied down the Lakers and had a tremendous game on the boards against the speed of the Lakers. She’s a player that when she’s in a groove, she’s lights out but the question is always when that spark is going to be lit in the game.
DeJonae Johnson, Center, St. Paul Highland Park (2020)
Playing alongside Jones was Johnson, a player we didn’t get much action out of in game one PGH Minnesota saw of Highland Park this season. A multi sport athlete, Johnson showed it off against Minneapolis Southwest. She was a low post scoring threat, and although isn’t as strong of rebounder as Jones, showed that she can compete with Jones in the frontcourt for the Scots.
Eva Schiltz, Forward, Minneapolis Southwest (2021)
Schiltz, was strong off the bench for the Lakers on Monday afternoon. To put it in perspective, Schiltz would have been the tallest player on the Scots roster, but a strong frontcourt presence to backup the next player on our evaluations makes a strong future for the Lakers.
Becca Murphy, Forward, Minneapolis Southwest (2020)
Murphy was an elusive forward that had some successful not just with the basketball, but without it as well. Murphy played with a chip on her shoulder in the team points category gathering steals, adding key assists, and much more.
Virginia Johnson, Guard, Minneapolis Southwest (2023)
Johnson is a young guard we’ve seen develop quite nicely over the last 12 months. She has a good outside shot that made Scots defenders pay on Monday, but also showed her ability to finish at the bucket with good strength. My other favorite thing about Johnson is her ability to rebound she showed on Monday. I expect her numbers to continue to improve this season, and her guard play to skyrocket over the next 12 months.
Josie Igherighe, Guard, Minneapolis Southwest (2022)
If I was a college scout or coach and I wanted to watch two guards go to work from the Minneapolis City Conference over the next few years, I’d strongly advise watching Johnson and Josie Igherighe of Southwest. Igherighe showed off nothing but efficient drives to the bucket all game long as the leading scorer for the Lakers. She also handled the ball with great care, assisted her teammates, and pick pocketed the Scots in a large margin of victory on Monday afternoon. Igherighe is going to be a scholarship level player when it’s all said and done, and I can’t wait to watch her grow to new heights over the next two seasons.
Check out Part 2 of my weekly evaluations tomorrow only on Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota!