Recruiting Update: It’s turning out to be a banner year
Who would have thought? In a year that has become a perfect storm of all things ugly – the annum where pretty much everything that could go wrong has – it has been a banner season for women’s college basketball…
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Continue ReadingWho would have thought? In a year that has become a perfect storm of all things ugly – the annum where pretty much everything that could go wrong has – it has been a banner season for women’s college basketball recruiting in Minnesota. With 30 players from the Land of 10,000 Lakes in this year’s senior class having already made Division I commitments, the year 2020 will go down as the most successful recruiting season since 2014, the first year we began keeping records. And we’re just getting started.
In spite of an abbreviated summer season, with no DI coaches allowed in the gym, the flow of commitment announcements shows no signs of abating soon. Since we last offered a recruiting update during the final week of July, five more players have announced D1 commitments:
- Jade Hill Jade Hill 5'8" | PG Mpls. South | 2021 State MN of Minneapolis South (St. Thomas)
- Ivory Finley Ivory Finley 5'8" | CG Rosemount | 2021 State MN of Rosemount (UMass-Lowell)
- Sophie Haydon Sophie Haydon 6'2" | PF Minnetonka | 2021 State MN of Minnetonka (George Washington)
- Gionna Carr Gionna Carr 5'9" | CG Stillwater | 2021 State MN of Stillwater (Tennessee State)
- Erika Lane Erika Lane 5'8" | CG Brainerd | 2021 State MN of Brainerd (North Dakota)
That brings the total number of Division I commitments to 29. A 30th player is just waiting for the school sweatshirt to arrive in the mail so that she can put out her commitment tweet. It marks the first time in the past eight years that the number of D1 commitments has reached 30. By comparison, there were 20 D1 verbals around this time last fall.
Ranked #9 in the class, Hill was the final member of the Prep Girls Hoops top 10 to announce her commitment. There are just two members of the top 20 still on the board – #11 Paige Kindseth Paige Kindseth 5'10" | CG Farmington | 2021 State MN of Farmington (Minnesota Stars Hersch) and #19 Frankie Vascellaro Frankie Vascellaro 6'0" | SF Holy Angels | 2021 State MN of Holy Angels (Fury 2021 UAA) – while only #23 Kierra Wheeler Kierra Wheeler 6'1" | PF Cooper | 2021 State MN of Robbinsdale Cooper (Wisconsin Playground) and #30 Ivane Tensaie Ivane Tensaie 5'7" | CG Concordia | 2021 State MN of Concordia Academy (North Tartan Elite) remain available from the top 30.
DIVISION I COMMITMENTS
Here is the complete list of D1 commits to date listed in alphabetical order by last name:
- Jodi Anderson Jodi Anderson 5'11" | CG Centennial | 2021 State MN – Centennial (North Dakota), North Tartan 2021 EYBL
- Julia Bengtson Julia Bengtson 5'10" | PG Becker | 2021 State MN – Becker (Eastern Illinois), Comets 2021 Elie
- Katie Borowicz Katie Borowicz 5'6" | PG Roseau | 2021 State MN – Roseau (Minnesota), Stars 2021 Hersch
- Gionna Carr Gionna Carr 5'9" | CG Stillwater | 2021 State MN – Stillwater (Tennessee State), Wisconsin Playground
- Cassidy Carson Cassidy Carson 6'0" | CG Eastview | 2021 State MN – Eastview (South Dakota), North Tartan 2021 EYBL
- Kendall Coley Kendall Coley 6'2" | SF St. Louis Park | 2021 State #94 Nation MN – St. Louis Park (Nebraska), FBC North 2021
- Maggie Czinano Maggie Czinano 6'1" | SF Watertown-Mayer | 2021 State MN – Watertown-Mayer (Minnesota), Fury 2021 UAA
- Ellie Dague Ellie Dague 5'10" | CG Henning | 2021 State MN – Henning (North Dakota State), North Tartan 2021 EYBL
- Ivory Finley Ivory Finley 5'8" | CG Rosemount | 2021 State MN – Rosemount (UMass-Lowell), 43 Hoops Johnson
- Jenna Guyer Jenna Guyer 6'2" | C Centennial | 2021 State MN – Centennial (Green Bay), North Tartan 2021 EYBL
- Sophie Hart Sophie Hart 6'4" | C Farmington | 2021 State #44 Nation MN – Farmington (North Carolina State), Fury 2021 UAA
- Sophie Haydon Sophie Haydon 6'2" | PF Minnetonka | 2021 State MN – Minnetonka (George Washington), North Tartan Elite
- Jade Hill Jade Hill 5'8" | PG Mpls. South | 2021 State MN – Minneapolis South (St. Thomas), Fury 2021 UAA
- Jenna Johnson Jenna Johnson 6'2" | PF Wayzata | 2021 State #52 Nation MN – Wayzata (Utah), North Tartan 2021 EYBL
- Gianna Kneepkens Gianna Kneepkens 5'11" | CG Duluth Marshall | 2021 State #86 Nation MN – Duluth Marshall (Utah), Fury 2021 UAA
- Emily Kulstad Emily Kulstad 6'1" | PF Prior Lake | 2021 State MN – Prior Lake (Southern Utah), Fury 2021 UAA
- Jordyn Lamker Jordyn Lamker 6'0" | SF Maple Grove | 2021 State MN – Maple Grove (St. Thomas), Stars 2021 Hersch
- Erika Lane Erika Lane 5'8" | CG Brainerd | 2021 State MN – Brainerd (North Dakota), Suns 2021 Blue Star
- Johanna Langbehn Johanna Langbehn 6'2" | C Elk River | 2021 State MN – Elk River (St. Thomas), North Tartan 2021 Elite
- Adalia McKenzie Adalia McKenzie 5'10" | CG Park Center | 2021 State #39 Nation MN – Park Center (Illinois), North Tartan 2021 EYBL
- Paige Meyer Paige Meyer 5'6" | PG Albany | 2021 State MN – Albany (South Dakota State), Comets 2021 Elite
- Anna Miller Anna Miller 6'2" | C Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN – Rochester Mayo (Drake), North Tartan 2021 EYBL
- Miah Monahan Miah Monahan 5'8" | CG Glencoe-Silver Lake | 2021 State MN – Glencoe-Silver Lake (Eastern Illinois), Fury 2021 UAA
- Alexis Pratt Alexis Pratt 5'5" | PG Stillwater | 2021 State MN – Stillwater (Omaha), Fury 2021 UAA
- Addy Salzer Addy Salzer 5'10" | CG Waconia | 2021 State MN – Waconia (Iona), 43 Hoops Johnson
- Helen Staley Helen Staley 6'0" | PF Rosemount | 2021 State MN – Rosemount (Oakland), Fury 2021 UAA
- Tamia Ugass Tamia Ugass 6'3" | C Roseville | 2021 State MN – Roseville (Louisiana State), Stars 2021 Hersch
- Sacia Vanderpool Sacia Vanderpool 6'4" | C Byron | 2021 State MN – Byron (Wisconsin), FBC North 2021
- Kaylee Van Eps Kaylee Van Eps 5'11" | SF Chaska | 2021 State MN – Chaska (Lehigh), Fury 2021 UAA
DIVISION II COMMITMENTS
Around this time of year it’s normal for the number of Division II commitments to pick up the pace. That’s because players who are on the bubble between DI and DII either come to the realization that the right DI offer isn’t going to arrive in the foreseeable future or figure out that DII is a better fit for their situation. This year is no different.
Since we last updated in late July, a dozen more players have announced their intentions to play Division II basketball bringing the total number of announced commitments to 27. The big winner here would have to be Concordia-St. Paul of the Northern Sun Conference. Coach Amanda Johnson’s Golden Bears program added #26 Caela Tighe Caela Tighe 6'0" | SF Big Lake | 2021 State MN of Big Lake (Stars 2021 Hersch), #39 Faith Alberts Faith Alberts 6'0" | PF Parkers Prairie | 2021 State MN of Parkers Prairie (Comets 2021 Elite) and #52 Megan Gamble Megan Gamble 5'10" | SF Becker | 2021 State MN of Becker (Comets 2021 Elite).
MSU-Mankato added Destinee Bursch Destinee Bursch 5'9" | CG Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN of Eden Prairie (Fury 2021 UAA) and Morgan Krumwiede Morgan Krumwiede 5'10" | SF Burnsville | 2021 State MN of Burnsville (Fury 2021 Yellow) to give them three commitments in the 2021 class; MSU-Moorhead added Alissa Knight of Belgrade-Bruton-Elrosa and now have four 2021 commits. Other additions since July (listed in alphabetical order by last name) include:
- Natalie Holte Natalie Holte 5'6" | PG Shakopee | 2021 State MN of Shakopee (Black Hills State)
- Mackenzie Jones of Willmar (Southwest Minnesota State)
- Katie Leisen Katie Leisen 5'11" | SF Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN of Eden Prairie (Augustana)
- Lily Peterson Lily Peterson 5'4" | PG Crosby-Ironton | 2021 State MN of Crosby-Ironton (South Dakota School of Mines)
- Marissa Radtke Marissa Radtke 5'6" | SG Lester Prairie-HT | 2021 State MN of Lester Prairie (Northern State)
- Gina Stefferud Gina Stefferud 5'10" | PF Champlin Park | 2021 State MN of Champlin Park (Minot State)
ALL DIVISION II COMMITMENTS
- Raegan Alexander Raegan Alexander 5'11" | PF St. Louis Park | 2021 State MN – St. Louis Park (MSU-Moorhead), Stars 2021 Hersch
- Lizzie Berkvam Lizzie Berkvam 5'10" | PG Lakeville North | 2021 State MN – Lakeville North (MSU-Moorhead), North Tartan 2021 Elite
- Peyton Blandin Peyton Blandin 5'8" | SG Farmington | 2021 State MN – Farmington (Southwest Minnesota State), North Tartan 2021 Elite
- Brigid Boyle Brigid Boyle 6'0" | SF St. Agnes | 2021 State MN – St. Agnes (Wayne State), Stars 2021 DeSart
- Destinee Bursch Destinee Bursch 5'9" | CG Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN – Eden Prairie (MSU-Mankato), Fury 2021 UAA
- Kendal Cox Kendal Cox 5'9" | CG St. Michael-Albertville | 2021 State MN – St. Michael-Albertville (Winona State)
- Michaela Dammann Michaela Dammann 6'2" | C Sauk Centre | 2021 State MN – Sauk Centre (Mary), ND Pro
- Megan Gamble Megan Gamble 5'10" | SF Becker | 2021 State MN – Becker (Concordia-St. Paul), Comets 2021 Elite
- Jordyn Hilgemann Jordyn Hilgemann 5'10" | SF Marshall | 2021 State MN – Marshall (Northern State), Rise 2021 Wolfe
- Ellie Hasz Ellie Hasz 6'0" | SF Pine City | 2021 State MN – Pine City (University of Mary), North Tartan 2021 Elite
- Natalie Holte Natalie Holte 5'6" | PG Shakopee | 2021 State MN – Shakopee (Black Hills State), Stars 2021 DeSart
- Macy Holtz Macy Holtz 5'7" | PG P-E-M | 2021 State MN – Plainview-Elgin-Millville (MSU-Moorhead), So. Minnesota Fury 2021
- Ella Hronski Ella Hronski 5'11" | SG Mahtomedi | 2021 State MN – Mahtomedi (UM-Duluth), Fury 2021 Yellow
- Mia Huberty Mia Huberty 5'9" | CG Big Lake | 2021 State MN – Big Lake (Upper Iowa), Stars 2021 Hersch
- Matlyn Jensen Matlyn Jensen 6'2" | PF Rogers | 2021 State MN – Rogers (Colorado Christian), FBC North 2021
- Mackenzie Jones – Willmar (Southwest Minnesota State), Comets 2021 Elite
- Alissa Knight – Belgrade-Bruton-Elrosa (MSU-Moorhead)
- Morgan Krumwiede Morgan Krumwiede 5'10" | SF Burnsville | 2021 State MN – Burnsville (MSU-Mankato), Fury 2021 Yellow
- Katie Leisen Katie Leisen 5'11" | SF Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN – Eden Prairie (Augustana), 43 Hoops Johnson
- Haley Paulson Haley Paulson 5'9" | CG Orono | 2021 State MN – Orono (Upper Iowa), 43 Hoops Johnson
- Lily Peterson Lily Peterson 5'4" | PG Crosby-Ironton | 2021 State MN – Crosby-Ironton (South Dakota School of Mines), Suns 2021 Blue Star
- Marissa Radtke Marissa Radtke 5'6" | SG Lester Prairie-HT | 2021 State MN – Lester Prairie (Northern State), Rise 2021 Wolfe
- Gina Stefferud Gina Stefferud 5'10" | PF Champlin Park | 2021 State MN – Champlin Park (Minot State), Suns 2021 Froehlich
- Briana Stoltzman Briana Stoltzman 5'8" | CG Mankato West | 2021 State MN – Mankato West (Southwest Minnesota State), Rise 2021 Wolfe
- Caela Tighe Caela Tighe 6'0" | SF Big Lake | 2021 State MN – Big Lake (Concordia-St. Paul), Stars 2021 Hersch
- Kelsey Willems Kelsey Willems 5'8" | CG Chaska | 2021 State MN – Chaska (Augustana), 43 Hoops Johnson
- Sophie Wood Sophie Wood 6'1" | PF Chisago Lakes | 2021 State MN – Chisago Lakes (MSU-Mankato), North Tartan 2021 Elite
OTHER COMMITMENTS
While the Division II commitments tend to ramp up in the fall the verbals to other levels of collegiate basketball tend to trickle out at a slower pace. To date there has been one junior college commitment, three to NAIA institutions and three more at the Division III level:
JUCO
- #42 Andrea Tribble Andrea Tribble 5'5" | CG Cooper | 2021 State MN – Robbinsdale Cooper (Seward (KS) Community College)
NAIA
- #88 Megan Oswald Megan Oswald 5'10" | PF Blooming Prairie | 2021 State MN – Blooming Prairie (Jamestown), Southern Minnesota Fury
- #126 Sarah Lenz Sarah Lenz 5'8" | SG Belle Plaine | 2021 State MN – Belle Plaine (Jamestown), Rise 2021 Wolfe
- #136 Cherish Henderson Cherish Henderson 5'5" | PG Maranatha | 2021 State MN – Maranatha (Valley City State)
Division III
- #62 Morgan Kelly Morgan Kelly 5'11" | PF St. Peter | 2021 State MN – St. Peter (Gustavus), Rise 2021 Wolfe
- #78 Kelley Brennan Kelley Brennan 5'8" | CG Shakopee | 2021 State MN – Shakopee (Gustavus), Stars 2021 DeSart
- #133 Kylie Lacey Kylie Lacey 5'10" | PF Dover-Eyota | 2021 State MN – Dover-Eyota (UW-LaCrosse), Minnesota Nice
CLASS OF 2022 COMMITMENTS
Lest we forget some members of the class of 2022 have decided there was no need to wait to make early college commitments even though they still have two more full seasons of high school basketball remaining. That’s an opportunity few players have but three of them have already taken advantage of.
Minnetonka combo guard Desiree Ware Desiree Ware 5'8" | CG Minnetonka | 2022 State MN was the first to commit. The #10 prospect in the 2022 class, who played AAU ball this summer for Stars 2022 Nilsen, verballed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham earlier in the summer. More recently two members of the Fury 2022 UAA squad also announced as Chanhassen guard Callin Hake Callin Hake 5'8" | PG Chanhassen | 2022 State #64 Nation MN (ranked #8) committed to Nebraska and Rogers guard Ellie Buzzelle Ellie Buzzelle 5'9" | SG Rogers | 2022 State #60 Nation MN (#7) said yes to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. One other high-level prospect is also off the board as Britt Carlson Britt Carlson 6'4" | PF East Ridge | 2022 State MN of East Ridge announced her intent to play volleyball at Texas Tech.
Top photo: Gina Stefferud Gina Stefferud 5'10" | PF Champlin Park | 2021 State MN of Champlin Park has committed to Minot State. She played for Suns 2021 Froehlich. (Prep Girls Hoops photo)