PGH IL Top 250: Mike’s 2021 Spotlight

Several days removed from the PGH 250 Expo, there is still plenty to process. A handful of players showed good upside and developed well since the last time I saw them. <strong>Brooklynn Larson (Rock Island - 2021)</strong> Larson is a combo guard with good size and length. She did a great job at winning off the bounce and finishing to the rim. Additionally, she’s a plus passer with strong vision and a fluid jump shot from mid-range. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="6971" first="Greta" last="Kampschroeder"] (Naperville North - 2021)</strong> Extremely skilled guard with an elite basketball IQ, scores the ball effortlessly and wins off the bounce consistently. It’s very refreshing to see her improved post game. She’s a shooter with range and off the dribble. <strong>Ashley Lang (Downers Grove South - 2021)</strong> It was my first time seeing Lang, who is a really versatile wing a high motor and a drive to compete on both ends. She’s a competent shooter from three and she showcased her ability to attack closeouts. <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Leia James (Plainfield South - 2021)</strong> James is a high motor guard that gets after it. She’s a gifted athlete and plays with toughness. James is a straight line driver that gets to the rim and finishes. Defensively, she has quick feet and active hands causing havoc on an opposing guard. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123618" first="Brynn" last="Tabeling"] (Tuscola - 2021)</strong> Tabeling was fun to watch at the Expo. She’s a really crafty, high IQ guard that plays with great pace and has a tremendous feel for the game. She excels in the half court and fast break. Her vision is phenomenal, allowing her to see her next pass before the window opens. She has a great change-of-pace to her game and a wonderful hesitation. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123611" first="Lindsey" last="Hahn"] (Lyons - 2021)</strong> Hahn is a three-point shooter that can knock down triples from deep at an efficient rate. She has a great pump fake and an effective mid-range game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123405" first="Grace" last="LaBarge"] (William Fremd - 2021)</strong> LaBarge is a left-handed shooter that stretches the court with a smooth stroke. She combines a very fluid face-up game with a strong ability in the paint. She’s great on the glass and runs the floor well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123571" first="Elana" last="Wells"] (Burlington - 2021)</strong> Wells is an intriguing talent, a tough combo guard that has all the ingredients to be a special player. Offensively, she has a slick handle and wins with it. Defensively, she is a great on-ball defender. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123570" first="Lauren" last="Hall"] (Fenwick - 2021)</strong> Hall has great size and feel for her position. She is a great passer, even more so in transition. She’s long, athletic and finishes strong. She has a lot sauce in her game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123565" first="Erin" last="Houpt"] (Danville - 2021)</strong> Houpt is one of the top point guards in the class. She keeps the ball on a string and she shot it very well from behind the arc. On defense, she got after it and made opposing guards work. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123567" first="Kelby" last="Bannerman"] (Hampshire - 2021)</strong> Bannerman was the best 2021 prospect to be seen at the Expo. She scored on all three levels and consistently grabbed every rebound in her radius, but what was most impressive was how she ignited the break and broke down the defense in transition. She plays with great pace and has fluid footwork. Her handles are tight for a wing and she scores the ball effortlessly. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123411" first="Katie" last="Beyer"] (McHenry - 2021)</strong> An intriguing wing that has great size and long arms. She’s an effective shooter from the perimeter and a crafty finisher in the paint. &nbsp;