Northern State University Team Camp – Standouts

I was able to catch some action at the Northern State University team camp held in Aberdeen, SD on June 20-21. I’ll spotlight some of the key players that stood-out the most. Either by being great prospects or having played well and caught my eye. There were teams from both North Dakota and South Dakota competing. Mataeya Mathern Mataeya Mathern 5'9" | SG Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2024 State ND  - 5’9 G 2024 - Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier - Mataeya was the prospect that really improved her stock the most in my eyes. She was dominant getting to her hoop. Has great quickness, verticality, and length to her. She was pulling off euros and whatever else she could perform to get to the rack. She’s a prospect that will be rising up the North Dakota 2024 rankings board. She may be a top 20 prospect in the class. She’s with the ND Attack program this offseason. Mallory Miller Mallory Miller 6'4" | C Wolsey-Wessington | 2023 State SD  - 6’4 C 2023 - Wolsey-Wessington - Mallory showed some rare traits and made some rare plays for a 6’4 prospect. She was hitting fadeaways and making steals in the backcourt. Had plenty of skilled dime passes to teammates as well. Her shooting ability is starting to really stand out. And of course, she’s a strong rebounder in the paint that can get the ball at its highest point. She has transferred over to Wolsey-Wessington, improving the team’s chances of success, without a doubt. She’s a top 5 prospect in the SD 2023 class. Kennedy Harter Kennedy Harter 6'0" | PF Kidder County | 2023 State ND  - 5’11 F 2023 - Kidder County - Kennedy may have been the best jumper and most skilled vertically at the camp. She can get up quickly off the ground and also runs well. She will board the ball and quickly push it up via dribble or pass. Can also nail mid-range jumpers where she’ll get up high off the floor on her jump-shot. Gracie Traphagen Gracie Traphagen 5'11" | PF Groton Area | 2023 State SD - 5’11 F 2023 - Groton Area - Gracie showed a true inside-outside game at the camp. She caught fire from three and needed to be guarded closely from that range. She showed lower body strength and the ability to be a power player in the lane as well. A truly versatile prospect with solid size and athleticism. Kennedy Hansen Kennedy Hansen 5'8" | SG Groton Area | 2025 State SD  - 5’8 G 2025 - Groton Area - Kennedy was one of the most fluid athletes at the team camp. She can handle and pass the ball at a high level as well. Uses her athletic ability to her fullest potential on the defensive side of the ball as well. Elite movement skills. Leah Williams Leah Williams 5'8" | SG Wolsey Wessington | 2023 State SD  - 5’8 G 2023 - Wolsey-Wessington - I could have pre-determined that Leah would make this list, because she’s been improving to be an impactful guard. She handles the ball well and can change direction. She has a great feel of her surroundings when she brings the ball up-court. A skilled passer that Miller will love to play with. She can go full-court and stop on a dime for a pull-up jumper. Taryn Hermansen Taryn Hermansen 5'11" | C Aberdeen Central | 2026 SD  - 5’11 C 2026 - Aberdeen Central - Taryn is a bruiser of an inside player. A very strong lower frame and can move bodies around. Had a pushing battle with Traphagen in Central’s matchup with Groton and she held her own. A very strong prospect for her age that can score inside and board the ball with authority. Gracie Fast Gracie Fast 5'11" | PF Redfield | 2023 SD  - 5’11 F 2023 - Redfield - Gracie has good size and can shoot the three and play inside as well. She stood at the three-point line and also picked her spots to burry her defender in the post. She was just added to the database and will be ranked in the next update. Lauryn Burckhard - 5’11 C 2027 - Aberdeen Central - Lauryn didn’t play in the varsity division, but she was absolutely dominant in the paint. She was scoring inside over smaller defenders and blocking shots at a high rate.  A young prospect that has a ton of promise and a bright future. She’s with the SD Attack program to further her skills, confidence, and exposure.