Top 250 Expo: Defensive Standouts

Top 250 Expo: Defensive Standouts<img class=" wp-image-201809 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/09/PGH-Top250-FL-Optimized-300x250.gif" alt="" width="184" height="153" /> The Top 250 Expo was a huge success full of so many talented athletes. Each prospect brought something different to the floor and it was exciting to see how elite Wisconsin girls basketball is. Take a look at some of the breakdowns after watching each girl compete on Sunday. [player_tooltip player_id="206729" first="Mya" last="Hartjes"] | University of School of Milwaukee | 5’4 | 2023 <img class=" wp-image-210127 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/MYA-HARTJES-132-scaled-e1602097210390-300x263.jpg" alt="" width="205" height="180" /> Hartjes did all the little things right this weekend. She works so hard on both ends of the court and really impacted in many ways. She’s super scrappy and uses her height to get lower than her opponent and cause turnovers. Her footwork is elite and she does well just pestering the ball handler. She’s quick and is often grabbing turnovers by grabbing at the ball on the dribble. Courtney Shuck | Greenfield | 5’3 | 2023<img class=" wp-image-210064 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/COURTNEY-SCHUK-137-scaled-e1602107273659-300x286.jpg" alt="" width="203" height="194" /> Shuck stood out for her overall athleticism and skill. She has a great feel for the game and did really well guarding each point guard she played against. Her ability to turn the defender and cause chaos the entire length of the floor is super impressive. She brings great tempo and is constantly chasing after lose boards and following her shot for put back baskets. Her energy and defensive mentality really makes her teammates better as well. I’m looking forward to watching Shuck compete on a talented Greenfield squad this season. Cadence Xiong | West Bend East | 5’1 | 2023<img class=" wp-image-210062 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/CADENCE-XIONG-138-scaled-e1602107332289-300x261.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="171" /> Another talented guard that gave 100% effort the full length of the court. It was fun watching Xiong compete as she was extremely scrappy and active each minute she was on the floor. Her hands were always going and she had perfect timing for causing turnovers or deflecting a pass. Offensively Xiong’s shooting stroke is on the rise and she has so much confidence leading the offense. A great facilitator as well, Xiong finds her open teammates with ease. [player_tooltip player_id="156079" first="Lindsay" last="Steien"] | Blair Taylor | 5’8 | 2023<img class=" wp-image-210110 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/LINDSAY-STEIEN-119-scaled-e1602097786905-300x274.jpg" alt="" width="171" height="156" /> Steinen was an all around player during the Top 250 expo that stood out in so many ways. She’s a gifted offensive player who can put up big numbers from her ability to score at three levels on the court. However she is a defensive threat and displayed so much versatility when guarding multiple positions the entire day. She uses her length when guarding smaller guards and does well balancing her body to block shots when her opponent drives to the lane. She can also defend a taller wing as she does well drawing the foul and using her footwork to beat her opponent to the spot. Taylor Moreau | Monona Grove | 5’8 | 2023<img class=" wp-image-210149 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/TAYLOR-MOREAU-118-scaled-e1602096270205-300x289.jpg" alt="" width="189" height="182" /> The 2023 guard displayed high athleticism and skill on the floor. She clearly has a very high basketball IQ and it showed through the way she moves on both ends. She creates plays for herself offensively and is extremely active in the halfcourt. What excited me most about watching Moreau is that her defense didn’t lack because of her high energy on offense, in fact, she matched it. She was one of the better two way athletes at the Top 250 Expo and was truly relentless each minute she was on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="204152" first="Lily" last="Gifford"] | Watertown | 5’11 | 2022 <img class=" wp-image-210107 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/LILY-GIFFORD-78-scaled-e1602097880402-300x228.jpg" alt="" width="184" height="140" /> Gifford showed incredible decision making at the expo. A talented forward who can really be a spark plug for her high school program, Gifford has such a high upside. Offensively she showed glimpses of being a three level scorer and the ability to handle the ball at 5’11. Defensively Gifford fought for every board and was an offensive rebounding standout. She knows how to use her body and isn’t afraid to hold a body on box out. Gifford is extremely athletic as well and it shows in her ability to balance her body and block multiple shots per game. [player_tooltip player_id="156076" first="Braelyn" last="Torres"] | Kettle Moraine | 5’8 | 2023 <img class=" wp-image-210059 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/BRAELYN-TORRES-34-scaled-e1602107441538-300x240.jpg" alt="" width="178" height="142" /> Torres stands out on both ends of the floor but specifically the defensive end due to her high energy and tempo. She plays the game at such a high speed and enjoys getting up and down the floor. Her offensive game thrives on her ability to grab steals or loose balls and finish in transition. At the Expo, the Kettle Moraine guard had active hands every game and was scrappy with intense ball pressure the entire length of the court. Torress clearly has very high basketball IQ as her timing for grabbing steals and deflecting passes is elite.