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The Hopkins Royals are no strangers to lofty expectations and nationally recognized attention. They have lived under that spotlight for the better part of a decade if not more and especially during the Paige Bueckers era. However, this weekend there is something that they are not always accustomed to and that is getting to play against and perform against some of the other best of the best from around the country. This weekend, the place to be will be the Hopkins High School when three other massively talented teams from around the country as well as ESPN make their way to Minnesota for an elite girls basketball event. The event will feature not only three of the top five rated teams by ESPNW around the country but double-digit combined ESPN-rated players from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 and 2025 classes. This gives the country a look at future Pac-12, Big Ten and other conference stars in the coming years. Jr-All Star will be their live for the event and here we recap what can be excepted during this momentous event in the great state of Minnesota.
Teams:
Sidwell Friends (DC) (9-0)
The Top-Rated team in the country is coming in looking to cement their spot as the best of the best this weekend. They are led by UCLA-bound KiKi Rice (2022), and Jadyn Dovovan (2023), and Kendall Dudley (2024).
Hopkins Royals (MN) (12-0)
A starting five of future power five D1 players. All five of their starting group can put up double digits and that kind of firepower can lead them to knocking off the top-rated Sidwell team on Friday!
Grandview (CO) (5-7)
Grandview comes in with the top-rated player in the class of 2022. While everyone has to look up to Lauren Betts (Stanford) in the rankings, at her 6’7 height, people usually have to look up to her on the court as well. Everything on both sides of the game will start and end with her. Freshman sister Sienna Betts also a productive player for this group.
Desoto (TX) (21-1)
Desoto comes into the game with size, size and oh yeah… some more size. They will sport arguably the most impressive group of post players, highlighted by Sa’Myah Smith (LSU), Amina MUhammah (Texas) and Tionna Herron (Kentucky) and they may have just the roster to slow down the top-rated player in 6’7 Lauren Betts.
Schedule: (CTS TIME)
Friday:
4 PM: Sidwell Friends (9-0) vs. Hopkins Royals (12-0) (On ESPNU)
6 PM: Grandview (5-7) vs. Desoto (21-1) (On ESPN+)
Saturday:
4 PM: Third Place Game (On ESPN+)
6 PM: Championship Game (On ESPN+)
Top Committed Players to See:
Amaya Battle/Hopkins Royals- Guard- Class of 2022 Ranked #39- University of Minnesota
Lauren Betts/Grandview- Post- Class of 2022 Ranked #1- Stanford University
Maya Nnaji/Hopkins Royals- Post- Class of 2022 Ranked #9- Arizona University
Sa’Myah Smith/Desoto- Forward-Class of 2022 Ranked #58- LSU
Amina Muhammad/Desoto- Forward-Class of 2022 Ranked #63- Texas University
Sunaja “NuNu” Agara/Hopkins Royals- Forward- Class of 2023 Ranked #38- Stanford University
KiKi Rice/Sidwell Friends- Guard-Class of 2022 Ranked #2- UCLA
Tionna Herron/Desoto- Post-Class of 2022 Ranked #69- Kentucky University
Top Uncommitted Players to See:
Sienna Betts/Grandview- Forward-Class of 2025
Jadyn Donovan/Sidwell Friends- Guard-Class of 2023 Ranked #10
Liv McGill/Hopkins- Guard-Class of 2024 Ranked #11
Kendall Dudley/Sidwell Friends- Wing-Class of 2024 Ranked #4
Taylor Woodson/Hopkins- Guard/Wing-Class of 2023 Ranked #26
This article is free. If you enjoy it, please consider a subscription to our website that will fund more in-depth GBB and WBB coverage at www.jrallstar.com/subscribe
