2021 rankings update: Big risers make noise in the top 25
In this article:
Gianna Kneepkens Gianna Kneepkens 5'11" | CG Duluth Marshall | 2021 State #86 Nation MN , Maggie Czinano Maggie Czinano 6'1" | SF Watertown-Mayer | 2021 State MN , Anna Miller Anna Miller 6'2" | C Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN , Jenna Guyer Jenna Guyer 6'2" | C Centennial | 2021 State MN and Julia Bengtson Julia Bengtson 5'10" | PG Becker | 2021 State MN all had big summers in 2019 as the five talented members of Minnesota’s class of 2021 prepared for their junior year of high school. What a year it has turned out to be for all five of them. As a result, the quintuplet of teens has collectively taken some big steps up the Prep Girls Hoops class of 2021 prospect rankings.
The winter update is now out and here’s what happened in the top 25:
- Gianna Kneepkens Gianna Kneepkens 5'11" | CG Duluth Marshall | 2021 State #86 Nation MN , the Duluth Marshall guard who led the state in scoring last season, rose 7 spots in the rankings all the way up to #7. Along the way she picked up an offer from the University of Minnesota. Kneepkens plays for Minnesota Fury 2021 UAA.
- Maggie Czinano Maggie Czinano 6'1" | SF Watertown-Mayer | 2021 State MN , the 6’0 Watertown-Mayer guard, went up 5 places to #12. She, too, received a scholarship offer from Minnesota and subsequently said, ‘yes!’ Czinano, whose sister Monika plays at Iowa, is Kneepkens’ teammate with the Fury.
- Anna Miller Anna Miller 6'2" | C Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN , the 6’2 forward from Rochester Mayo, rose 9 spots into the #17 position. The 6’3 post continues to get better and, as a result, her high school team has had a very good season. Miller moves up this year to North Tartan EYBL.
- Jenna Guyer Jenna Guyer 6'2" | C Centennial | 2021 State MN , the 6’2 post from Centennial, continued her ascent, moving up 5 more positions to #23. Guyer was barely in the top 100 a year ago; today she is a versatile power forward earning D1 interest. She’ll moves this summer to North Tartan EYBL where she’ll join Miller.
- Julia Bengtson Julia Bengtson 5'10" | PG Becker | 2021 State MN , the Becker point guard, enters the top 25 for the first time, moving up 5 places to #24. Julia has established herself as a high-level floor general. She has also grown a couple of inches over the past few months to 5’10. Julia plays for Minnesota Comets 2021 Elite.
Two other residents of the top 25 made moves up, as well: 6’4 forward Sophie Hart Sophie Hart 6'4" | C Farmington | 2021 State #44 Nation MN of Farmington (Fury 2021 UAA) moves up one position to #3, swapping places with Roseau’s Katie Borowicz Katie Borowicz 5'6" | PG Roseau | 2021 State MN (Minnesota Stars 2021 Hersch), while Centennial wing Jodi Anderson Jodi Anderson 5'11" | CG Centennial | 2021 State MN (North Tartan EYBL) rises two positions to #20.
BIG RISERS AMONG THE 2021s
Up 51 – Forest Lake forward Olivia Pekron Olivia Pekron 5'10" | PF Forest Lake | 2021 State MN rises from #144 to #93 as her breakout season continues. Pekron will compete for Minnesota Stars Zabel.
Up 27 – St. Agnes wing Brigid Boyle Brigid Boyle 6'0" | SF St. Agnes | 2021 State MN moves from #91 to #64. The Wayne State commit plays for Stars 2021 DeSart.
Up 24 – Mankato West junior Briana Stoltzman Briana Stoltzman 5'8" | CG Mankato West | 2021 State MN goes from #119 to #95. The scrappy guard plays for North Tartan 2021 Elite.
Up 21 – Moorhead forward Samantha Zimmerman Samantha Zimmerman 5'11" | SF Moorhead | 2021 State MN is rewarded for her improvement with a 21-place rise form #87 to #66. Sam will compete this summer for ND Pro out of Fargo.
Up 18 – Byron’s 6’4 post Sacia Vanderpool Sacia Vanderpool 6'4" | C Byron | 2021 State MN continues her evolution, going from #44 all the way up to #26. She plays for Tylor Coley’s team, which this year will be called FBC North 2021.
Up 12 – Glencoe-Silver Lake guard Miah Monahan Miah Monahan 5'8" | CG Glencoe-Silver Lake | 2021 State MN has earned her way into the Division 1 picture and moves up a dozen places to #31. Miah plays for Fury 2021 UAA.
Up 12 – Kasson-Mantorville guard Avery Irish Avery Irish 5'11" | CG Kasson-Mantorville | 2021 State MN may fly a little under the radar outside of Southern Minnesota but she also flew 12 places north in the rankings to #113. Irish is a member of Southern Minnesota Fury 2021.
Up 10 – Pine City guard Ellie Hasz Ellie Hasz 6'0" | SF Pine City | 2021 State MN , a versatile 6-footer and coach’s kid, rises 10 places to #42. Ellie plays for North Tartan 2021 Elite.
Up 10 – Orono guard Haley Paulson Haley Paulson 5'9" | CG Orono | 2021 State MN transferred last summer from Delano and reappeared after sitting out a season. She came back taller, too, earning a rise to #67 in the class. Paulson will play for 43 Hoops.