Ball is life is a motto that the Monticello girls’ basketball team takes to heart. 10 veterans of the Monticello girls’ basketball program were joined by two newcomers this summer. Between summer ball and AAU, the girls enjoyed their time and became better players both physically and mentally.
Samantha Voll and Jada Gerads played AAU for the Metro Stars. Abby Ruda and Addison Ruda played for North Tartan. Aubrey Krienke, Parker Haffeman, Jaeda Smith-Olson, Rylea Hausmann and Reese Hausmann played for the Minnesota Suns. Madelyn Barrow played for the Minnesota Crossfire. Kylie Lindberg played for the Minnesota Comets and Alexa Maynard played for the Minnesota Rush.
It was the most girls that Monticello basketball has ever had play AAU.
Rylea and Reese have found a new home with Monticello and have made a smooth transition with their new team.
“At first, I was scared of making this big change going into my last year of high school but the second I connected with the girls and coaches I knew I had made the right choice,” said Reese. “I love how welcomed I was and how everybody filled me in on the team dynamic so I could get straight to work. It is so cool to know how excited everyone is for me to be an addition to the Magic family.
Her sister echoed that sentiment.
“The transition has mostly been super easy… everyone has been super helpful and patient while we learned a new playbook and coaching style,” said Rylea. “We were welcomed with open arms from the beginning.”
The AAU season begins in March and runs through the end of July and the girls spent a lot of time traveling to different states or down to the twin cities. The Monticello summer team meets three days a week starting the first week of June and ending the last week of July as well.
Perhaps the biggest difference between AAU and summer basketball is that you’re playing with different teammates. During school basketball, the chemistry is there. During AAU, learning how your other teammates play presents a big test.
To Haffeman, the difference between leagues presents a different challenge. “I went from having a coach that really really cares about me to a coach that isn’t so much involved individually. It’s tough going to a coach you’re familiar with to one you’ve never played for before,” admitted Haffeman.
Another difference is the physicality. AAU refs let the players play more than they do during the high school season.
There are a few benefits to the differences. Learning to play through contact and how to expand one’s game and the ability to play in different roles is a big part of developing as a player.
It’s comparable to going from the WNBA to FIBA. Everybody on the Olympic roster is the star of their team but in the Olympics, everybody has to be a star in the role that they are given.
For example, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is averaging a 20-point double-double for the team on over 16 shots per game. For the USA Olympic team in Paris, her shots were cut down as she averaged 6.5 points per game and didn’t have one double-digit scoring effort.
But she was a star in her role and was a key member of the starting unit. She hauled in 11 boards in the gold medal game, second on the team only to superstar A’ja Wilson.
Being able to contribute in different ways is an important skill and can help any player earn the trust of their coach and earn more minutes.
Monticello summer basketball played in three Breakdown tournaments, two at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College and another one in Bloomington. Then at the beginning of July, the team traveled to Duluth and played some more teams up North.
All in all, there were about 33 kids from seventh through 12th grade who joined the Magic’s summer basketball program. It’s all about getting better every day and showing the young kids what they have to do to reach their full potential.
Abby, an upcoming junior for the 2024-25 season, was third on the team in scoring last year and led the team in rebounding. She enjoyed her summer experience quite a bit.
“It went really well. We had a lot of fun from the beginning. Working out together, listening to music, lifting as a whole group was really fun,” said Abby. “A lot of us got to play against each other during AAU so that was really fun.”
Addison, another upcoming junior, had the fifth-most points on the Magic last year and was a steady presence in the lineup who brings size and length to the rotation. She was one of eight players to play in more than 20 games last year. Now a veteran in the program, she enjoyed being a leader to the younger girls over the summer.
“Something that is cool specifically about our program is the connection between seventh through 12th graders. It’s really cool to see them grow with us. They are our future so it’s fun to have them be a part of it all summer long,” said Addison.
“I’m proud of these girls and our upperclassmen with how much they’ve welcomed the younger kids. How much they’ve taken them under their wing and show them the Magic basketball way,” added Geyen. “They’re great leaders and our younger kids follow them. They set a great example.”
A lot of the girls on the team are in the same 2026 class and have played a lot of basketball together and the chemistry that continues to build with each other has brought the girls a long way.
“It is really nice because we all got to bond together really nicely and play together. We have a connection formed,” said Krienke, who is a guard on that 2026 class. She was fourth on the team in scoring and second in assists last season for the Magic.
“We all know that we can push each other to be better,” said Barrow, who was one of just seven players who scored over 100 points last winter.
Haffeman missed some time this summer with a concussion but she still made the most of the situation.
“I still felt just as included as if I was on the court with all my teammates so I feel like it’s really cool to be able to have a bond like that where even if you’re injured, you’re just as big of a teammate even if you’re sitting on the sidelines,” said Haffeman.
With so many veterans on the roster, they all had plenty of advice to give young aspiring Magic hoopers.
“Trust the process,” said Voll. “It doesn’t all come at once.”
“Be open to learning new things and new positions,” said Haffeman.
“Keep your head up and we’re always here to support you,” said Barrow.
“It’s okay to mess up. Nobody is going to judge you for it,” said Krienke.
“Don’t be scared. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. We’re all here to help you and we’re all pushing each other to get better,” mentioned Addison.
“Give 101 percent each day,” said Abby.
“Believe in yourself,” Smith-Olson said, who has been recovering from a torn ACL. Even though she wasn’t able to play, she said watching her teammates grow as players over that time was special to her.
“Keep getting better and keep having fun,” added Geyen. “Learn and watch from our older kids and continue to grow. We’re all here to get one percent better each day. If you can get one percent better each day and have fun doing it, it’s only going to grow your game.”
Between the beginning of last varsity season to the end of the summer basketball season, the girls have played in about 70 games over that stretch. That’s a lot of time spent in the gym and the fruits of that labor will be on full display this upcoming season for Magic basketball.
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