Top 250 Expo Report: Big-time freshmen you need to know

In one of our previews last week of the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo we told you about <strong>Brylee Iverson</strong>, the freshman forward from Southern Minnesota who we believe is an excellent college prospect. After watching Brylee on Saturday nothing has changed – she still has terrific potential. Today we reiterate our feelings on Iverson and bring you evaluations of four more of the very best players in the Class of 2023. All were at the Expo. All are solid Division 1 candidates. All have the athleticism, skill set and that little something extra that makes observers stand up and take notice. We’re not saying their ascension to D1 basketball is a slam dunk, but the potential is definitely there. Iverson is a 5’11 forward from Triton High School in Dodge Center who plays for Minnesota Stars 2023 Hersch. We first took note of her potential at a high school tournament in Rochester about 10 months ago. Since that time Brylee’s skills have continued to develop nicely and her confidence level has grown. She has all of the innate tools to be successful, including a bigger frame and substantial length, and she is putting in the work developing those natural assets into a more complete package. Stay tuned. Here are four more big-time 2023 prospects we saw Saturday at the Top 250 Expo, listed in alphabetical order by last name. <strong>Taryn Hamling, 5’9 guard, 2023, Grand Rapids</strong> Taryn is skilled and smooth and versatile. She has been well-schooled in the basics and has developed advanced abilities in a number of areas. It helps when your mom is a successful high school coach – that would be Kris Hamling of Grand Rapids – and your older sister has already made it to the Division 1 level. That would be Heaven Hamling, who plays at North Dakota State. Taryn is her own player, though, and established herself this summer as a top prospect thanks in part to a nice growth spurt. She can now defend four positions, bury it from beyond the 3-point line and get to the rim and finish from either side of the basket. Her poise is also much improved. We look forward to watching Taryn transition to a dominant role this winter at Grand Rapids now that Hannah DeMars has moved on to college ball. <strong>Laura Hauge, 5’9 guard, 2024, St. Croix Lutheran</strong> Laura Hauge comes with an asterisk. That’s because, unlike the others profiled here, she is not a high school freshman. Hauge is actually an 8th grader, but she was invited to the Top 250 Expo because she played up a year again this summer for North Tartan Milan and was outstanding. She is also an established varsity player who averaged just under 9 points per game last winter at St. Croix Lutheran with a high game of 35 points. Laura is a prodigious 3-point shooter with outstanding mechanics and a smooth delivery. She’s also a natural athlete with a bigger frame and the kind of maturity and presence you rarely see at this age. I watched her play multiple times this summer and during the live period there were plenty of D1 coaches in attendance, as well. Let’s just say what she showed us at the Expo did not disappoint. <strong>Ella Johnson, 6’1 forward, 2023, Elk River</strong> Ella Johnson kind of snuck up on us this summer. The North Tartan 2023 Wolkow forward has done some nice work in the past, and you could see her long-term potential. This year it all came together as she evolved into a player who could dominate a game, mostly by driving to the hoop and leaving her defender in the dust. She has also developed a nice set of post moves and is scoring a lot of simple baskets. Ella is also an elite shot blocker whose substantial length can change the course of a game. The biggest change, however, may be in Johnson’s confidence level. Ella now seems to believe. She’s still growing into her body and has to get stronger. Her jump shot is a work in progress and she needs to develop a 3-point threat. Given time, however, we believe Johnson will prove to be the real deal. <strong>Maren Westin, 5’7 guard, 2023, Becker</strong> Maren Westin had a tremendous summer with Comets 2023 Elite, and for that she was one of our summer all stars. There is one particular moment in July that stands out. I was sitting on the baseline in the company of a prominent D1 coach from whom I was seeking a more educated opinion on Westin’s potential. At one point a 6’3 opposing forward launched a 3-pointer from the corner. The 5’7 Westin sprinted along the baseline and went airborne for a clean block at which point her feet were above our eye level. It was astounding, and the coach and I let out a simultaneous ‘Wow!’ It was a perfect demonstration of Westin’s athleticism. She is an excellent ball handler who can get to the hoop in any number of ways, but can also fire the three at high percentage. The X factor for Maren is this: she has an older sister who is nearly 6 feet tall. If you’re into genetics that’s an exciting prospect. <span style="font-size: 10pt"><em>Top photo: Standout guard Laura Hauge of St. Croix Lutheran is an exciting young prospect. (Photo by Chris Drake)</em></span>