Rankings update: Some big news in the class of 2022
Every time we update a class in the Prep Girls Hoops prospect rankings there are some big movers. This time there is a reeeaaalllyy big mover in the class of 2022 – 6’4 post Britt Carlson Britt Carlson 6'4" |…
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Continue ReadingEvery time we update a class in the Prep Girls Hoops prospect rankings there are some big movers. This time there is a reeeaaalllyy big mover in the class of 2022 – 6’4 post Britt Carlson Britt Carlson 6'4" | PF East Ridge | 2022 State MN of East Ridge. Carlson isn’t the tallest player in the class – that would be 6’6 Jessica Heir Jessica Heir 6'6" | PF Chaska | 2022 State MN of Chaska – but she is definitely the biggest body with the biggest upside. Now, because she has turned her focus to basketball in a serious way for the first time, Carlson is also the biggest mover in this rankings update as she rises a whopping 42 spots to #21.
How did it happen? Or better yet, why? We can thank the pandemic shutdown. While sequestered at home, Britt spent a ton of time playing in the driveway with her older brother Ben, a 6’9 power forward headed to Wisconsin. She says this lit a fire of basketball desire. Then she started training with Marqus McGlothan, who is now her AAU coach with North Tartan 2022 EYBL. I have attended some of these training sessions and the transformation in Carlson’s game has been stunning.
McGlothan is throwing a ton of information at Britt, teaching a lot of new skills in the paint, working her harder physically than she has ever worked before, and testing her mental strength, as well. Carlson is soaking it all in and wanting more. Like I said, remarkable. She recently collected her first Division 1 offer. Now that Britt is no longer destined for college volleyball – it’s still an option but basketball is now primary she says – Carlson has to be considered a high major candidate. There simply aren’t that many 6’4 posts with big bodies, nice athleticism, good touch and the ability to consistently knock down threes.
Carlson has a ways to go to develop her skills and prove that she can compete against the very best. She had a great high school season at East Ridge and will have another year to prove herself at the 4A level before the recruiting gets super serious. That’s plenty of time. If Britt continues to put in the work there is no telling just how good she can be.
MOVING UP IN THE TOP 10
Carlson’s meteoric rise isn’t the only big news out of the class of 2022. Although she moved up just two places, the rise of Mara Braun Mara Braun 5'11" | CG Wayzata | 2022 State #21 Nation MN into the #2 slot is definitely big news. The Wayzata guard, who is currently playing up on North Tartan 2021 EYBL, had a tremendous sophomore season, a campaign that included a pair of superb performances against the world’s premier 18-year-old player Paige Bueckers Paige Bueckers 5'11" | CG Hopkins | 2020 State MN of Hopkins (UCONN). Although Maya Nnaji Maya Nnaji 6'4" | PF Hopkins | 2022 State #7 Nation MN of Hopkins remains a clear #1, Braun has slipped by #3 Amaya Battle Amaya Battle 5'10" | PG Hopkins | 2022 State #29 Nation MN of Hopkins (Metro Stars 2022 Starks) and now #4 Mallory Heyer Mallory Heyer 6'1" | PF Chaska | 2022 State #36 Nation MN of Chaska (Fury 2022 UAA), both of whom are fantastic college prospects, as well.
The other big news in the top 10 is the arrival of DeLaSalle guard Kiani Lockett Kiani Lockett 5'9" | PG Minnetonka | 2022 State MN , who rises from #13 to #9. She, too, had an outstanding high school season, leading her team to the class 3A state championship game once again. Lockett’s game continues to expand. She is a fierce competitor with huge confidence, superb skills and a big-time range.
TOP 30 STOCK RISERS
The class of 2022 features a ton of D1 candidates – perhaps 30 or more. Several of them made big moves this time around, including three players from the most-improved AAU team around, Minnesota Stars 2022 Nilsen, which now features no less than 10 players in the top 50.
Lexi Karge Lexi Karge 6'2" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State MN – The big forward from Mankato East and Stars 2022 Nilsen rises three places to #11. With added aggressiveness comes greater potential.
Ellie Colbeck Ellie Colbeck 5'9" | PG Fergus Falls | 2022 State MN – The crafty point guard from Fergus Falls and West Central United jumps up five places to #14 as her game continues to thrive.
Ally Schultz Ally Schultz 6'0" | CG Lakeville South | 2022 State MN – The 6’0 guard from Lakeville South and Stars 2022 Nilsen has worked hard on her quickness and it’s paying off. The big-time shooter is up four places to #17.
Madison Mathiowetz Madison Mathiowetz 5'10" | CG Sleepy Eye St. Mary's | 2022 State MN – The 5’9 guard from Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s and MN Rise 2021 Wolfe is generating plenty of interest. She’s up six places to #25 and has top 15 potential.
Mikayla Aumer Mikayla Aumer 5'9" | CG Cambridge-Isanti | 2022 State MN – The 5’8 guard from Cambridge-Isanti and Metro Stars 2022 Starks is Minnesota’s hardest working player and the grind is paying off. She’s up four more places to #26.
Mackenzie Schweim Mackenzie Schweim 5'10" | PG Mankato East | 2022 State MN – The 5’10 point guard from Mankato East and Stars 2022 Nilsen is solid in every aspect and has plenty of D1 interest. She’s up a half dozen places to #28.
ELSEWHERE IN THE TOP 50
Adeline Kent Adeline Kent 5'8" | CG Becker | 2022 State MN – The 5’8 guard from Becker and Stars 2022 Nilsen had an excellent high school season, earning all-state honors. She rises 10 places as a result to #34.
Kassie Caron Kassie Caron 6'0" | SF Holy Angels | 2022 State MN – The 6’0 forward from Holy Angels and Minnesota Fury 2022 UAA also had a breakout high school campaign, improving her production and consistency. She’s up seven spots to #35.
Ari Gordon Ari Gordon 5'10" | SF Maple Grove | 2022 State MN – The 5’9 guard from Maple Grove and Metro Stars 2022 Starks is a standout defender and versatile performer whose game continues to grow. Ari is up nine spots to #41.
Paige Peaslee Paige Peaslee 6'0" | PF North Branch | 2022 State MN – The big power forward has been instrumental in North Branch’s return to respectability and the Minnesota Heat sophomore has a high ceiling. She rises 13 rungs to #49.
Audrey Swanson Audrey Swanson 5'11" | SF Waconia | 2022 State MN – The 5’11 forward from Waconia is a superb athlete with tremendous natural ability. Following a nine-place rise to #50, Swanson joins the new Crossfire 2022 Bluestar squad.
FIVE MORE NOTABLE RISERS
Lizzie Holder Lizzie Holder 6'1" | PF Stillwater | 2022 State MN – The 6’1 forward from Stillwater and North Tartan 2022 Elite has been waiting in the wings for the other Pony bigs to graduate and now she’s about to blow up. She’s up 15 spots to #57.
Lauren Feddema Lauren Feddema 5'9" | CG Buffalo | 2022 State MN – Lauren’s ranking needed a market correction because we blew it last time around. The Buffalo guard from Stars 2022 Fleming is a scholarship-level talent. She rises 23 places to #69.
Maria Counts Maria Counts 5'11" | PF Providence | 2022 State MN – The 5’11 forward from Providence Academy and Metro Stars Garcia had a breakout season as PA made it all the way to the state tournament. She rises 11 places to #75.
Taya Jeffrey Taya Jeffrey 5'10" | CG Albert Lea | 2022 State MN – The athletic guard from low-profile Albert Lea and Southern Minnesota Fury 2022 is one of the state’s hidden gems. Taya moves north eight spots to #85.
Abbie Riederer Abbie Riederer 5'8" | CG Mn Valley Lutheran | 2022 State MN – The Minnesota Valley Lutheran guard is a solid performer with a nice skillset and leadership ability. The Stars 2021 Fleming sophomore moves up a dozen places to #123.
THREE FRESH FACES
There are three new girls entering the Prep Girls Hoops 2022 top 150 this time around. Please welcome them to the party!
#100 Jordyn Sutton Jordyn Sutton 6'0" | PF Rochester Century | 2022 State MN – The 6’0 forward out of Rochester Century averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game this winter on a rebuilding squad. She’ll play AAU for North Tartan SE (formerly the Rage).
#140 Coco Duininck Coco Duininck 5'7" | CG Central MN Christian | 2022 State MN – The 5’7 guard from tiny Central Minnesota Christian in Prinsberg is a quality guard with college potential. She’ll play for MN Rise 2022 Wright
#149 Rian Aune Rian Aune 5'7" | CG Virginia | 2022 State MN – A crafty 5’7 guard from Virginia, Aune enters the top 150 for the first time. The Blue Devils sophomore plays AAU ball for Jeff Buffetta’s High Impact program.