PGH Iowa Top 250 Review: Team #7
Last Sunday was our first Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo in Iowa. It was the last of four this fall and we had an insane amount of talented players in the gym. Robert Kelly (PGH Kansas) and I will be breaking down all the talent at the event over the rest of this week or so. Up next is a look at Team 7 from the Expo.
Aaliyah Beier – 5’4 PG – 2023 – Linn-Mar HS (IA)
Beier is a small guard who was really in control of the game at all times. She has a good handle and is quick to change direction with the ball. I liked how she was able to get into the lane and pass the ball out to an open shooter. She was very good at running with the ball in transition and making things happen as well. Beier is going to certainly have a role on this Linn-Mar team this upcoming season. I look for her to develop nicely over the next few years.
Kora Katcher – 5’5 SF – 2022 – Center Point-Urbana HS (IA)
The younger sister of Adrianna Katcher, Katcher looks to be on pace to develop quite nicely. She has a very good frame that is going to be able to hold strength as she gets older. Katcher was really solid at the Top 250 Expo on both ends of the floor. She is a willing defender who uses her hands really well to poke away the ball and is quick enough to defend players out on the perimeter. Look for her to carve out a role on her high school team this year before blossoming her junior year.
Kaitlyn Tendal – 5’6 SG – 2022 – Estherville-Lincoln Central HS (IA)
Tendal is a very solid guard who played just as well as she always has. She looked solid with the ball in her hands and was able to play both guard spots really well. She is versatile with the ball in her hands and has the ability to get downhill with the ball. Tendal continuously finished at the rim, even over the bigger players on the floor. I look for Tendal to have a big year as she is going to be a big scorer once again for Estherville-Lincoln Central.
Sidney Swanson – 5’7 SF – 2021 – West Point-Beemer HS (NE)
Swanson was one of those players who I knew was good coming in and I wanted a second look at her. Swanson showed that she was very apt to score the ball and get things moving on the offensive end. Swanson proved to me that she has a good nose for the ball as if there was a loose ball you could guarantee that she would be on the floor looking to grab it. Swanson showed a great motor on both ends of the floor and I thought that she had a very good showing.
Amiah Simmons – 5’8 G – 2021 – Blue Valley Southwest HS (KS)
Simmons was a blur on the court in this one. She is a very solid defender and has a great motor allowing her to make plays the entire game. Simmons also is quick with the ball in the open court continually showing the ability to score it at a high level. I thought that she was one of the top guards at the event, regardless of class, and her Prep Girls Hoops Kansas ranking reflects that high praise. Simmons’ game stood out to me for more than just one reason on Sunday.
Aniah Wayne – 5’9 SF – 2022 – Omaha Central HS (NE)
Wayne was someone who caught my eye quickly this summer and then was very solid each time I saw her play after that. She’s a very physical wing who can play both on the inside and out on the perimeter. For a sophomore, she is very skilled and smart with the ball. A part of her game that likely slips under the radar is her ability to pass the ball. Her court vision is very good and once she touches the ball she is very dangerous since Wayne has the ability to both score and pass the ball.
Sophia Shannon – 5’9 F – 2023 – Norwalk HS (IA)
Shannon was one of the top 2023 performers in the event on Sunday. I thought she played with great consistency throughout the entire event. Shannon is a freshman coming into Norwalk that should end up seeing the floor early. I was really impressed with her ability to get to the rim and score the ball off the bounce. Shannon has a very high ceiling for her game with all the skills that she already has built up. I will be watching her very closely this upcoming season.
Emma Bulman – 5’10 F – 2021 – Gilbert HS (IA)
Bulman had an excellent summer and I was hoping to see her expand her range just a little bit more after the summer. I had a couple of college coaches tell me that she could be a D1 prospect if she was able to start hitting the perimeter shot with consistency. She did that at the Top 250 and proved to be a valuable 3-point shooter who is very versatile positionally. I love Bulman’s game and I think after her performance in the Top 250 she will see a nice rise in the rankings. Bulman is going to be leaned on heavily this upcoming season.
Elizabeth Hoffman – 6’1 C – 2023 – Millard North HS (NE)
Hoffman was a young but very intriguing post player standing at 6’1. For an incoming freshman, she showed a really good motor as well as solid footwork when she got the ball in the low post. She is still raw but all the pieces are there for her to blossom into a very solid player down the road. I look for her to become a household name.
Chloe Lewandowski – 6’2 PF – 2021 – Bettendorf HS (IA)
Lewandowski was really solid at the Expo as she continually showed off her post moves and the ability to score the ball. I really like her ability to get the ball in a good spot in the post and look to score. She is a good rebounder as well pulling in rebounds well out of her area. Look for Lewandowski to have an impact quickly this year.