Dakotas Top 250 Expo: Top Talent & Stock-Risers

The Dakotas Top 250 Expo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota was a big-time event featuring the best talent the Dakotas has to offer. To sum the play up, many of the top prospects at the event were going off the dribble early, basically because they could get to the hoop and score or draw contact fairly easily. Even when it was top talent versus top talent, the offense usually won. Later, as legs started getting heavy, players were shooting the ball a little more. The stock-risers had a similar approach to the event -- they were going to play hard and control their effort and mentality against the best. Effort usually translates into making plays, and that’s what they did. Let’s see how the top talent fared and who rose their stock. [player_tooltip player_id="154266" first="Reese" last="Ross"] - 6’0 Wing 2023 - St. Thomas More - North Tartan EYBL - Reese blew up after attending the event last year and this year was more of the same. She was getting to the hoop with ease, setting up defenders with euros and finishing from all angles. Her verticality was easily the best at the event, helping her block a ton of shots and skying up for rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id="218149" first="Katie" last="Vasecka"] - 6’2 CG 2024 - Tea Area - Minnesota Fury - Katie is a super-long guard that is highly recruited by top programs in the nation. She plays effortlessly on the court. The game is easy for her. She hit threes and made skilled passes look easy. Her quickness and long-stride going off the dribble was unstoppable by even the best defenders. https://x.com/spencerc_pgh/status/1449794056259870720?s=21 [player_tooltip player_id="14245" first="Ndjakalenga" last="Mwenentanda"] - 6’2 F 2022 - Sioux Falls Washington - University of Texas - Mwenentanda was slow to start but she warmed up, making plays all over the court. Her defensive presence and length makes things difficult for opposing offenses. Off to Texas for her size, length, athleticism, and for her being a defensive playmaker and game-changer. [player_tooltip player_id="100473" first="Brooklyn" last="Harpe"] - 6’0 G 2023 - Sioux Falls Washington - SD Network - Brooklyn stood out to the initial eye test by easily getting to the hoop and showing elite speed with the ball. She simply was a constant playmaker and was a standout prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="100467" first="Hilary" last="Behrens"] - 6’1 G/Wing - Brandon Valley - SD Network - South Dakota State - Hilary was another top prospect that didn’t settle for jumpers too often because she exploited her individual mismatch off the drive. If a smaller player was defending her, she was attacking the hoop to score. The D1 product is staying in state and committed to SDSU. [player_tooltip player_id="211403" first="Chloe" last="Pfau"] - 5’11 G 2023 - West Fargo - Eastern Dakota Elite - Chloe came out flat and wasn’t very aggressive the first game, but she got going later in a big way. She started flying around defensively and getting to the hoop with ease on the offensive side. Her jumper looked on-target as well as she hit a few extended jumpers. She solidified herself as a top 2023 in North Dakota. [player_tooltip player_id="150853" first="Madelyn" last="Bragg"] - 6’3 C 2022 - Aberdeen Roncalli - Northern State University - I was curious as to how Bragg was going to perform against talented size like herself. She hit the ball out of the park and battled hard inside, showing an improved aggression and playing strength. Rebounded well and scored the ball. Protected the paint. [player_tooltip player_id="215744" first="Miriley" last="Simon"] - 6’1 C 2023 - West Fargo - Eastern Dakota Elite - Miriley was one of the few power post players in the event. An old school type post that uses her body and strength well. Rebounds and can hit a mid-range extended. Her and Bragg battled well. [player_tooltip player_id="245114" first="Maggie" last="Fricke"] - 5’6 PG 2026 - Minot - Minnesota Stars - Maggie didn’t play like an eighth-grader. She thrived and made a point. She’s already developed physically and is skilled, poised, and understands the game. Handles the ball well against defense and shoots the three at an accurate rate. [player_tooltip player_id="213379" first="Alyssa" last="Eckroth"] - 6’0 G/Wing 2023 - Bismarck Legacy - Missouri River Elite - Alyssa made it a point to get to the hoop and finish and draw contact to get to the line. She didn’t show off her jumper but was was effective for her team going at the hoop. [player_tooltip player_id="100475" first="Alexus" last="Motley"] - 5’7 G 2023 - Sioux Falls Washington - SD Network - Alexus showed off her athletic ability and improved skill with the ball. She’s one of the best athletes in South Dakota and it was clear at the event. Seemed as though she added a little more strength to her frame as well. If she becomes a great ball-handler, it would take her game to another level. And she’d be able to show off her athletic ability more offensively. [player_tooltip player_id="219714" first="Avery" last="Lunde"] - 5’7 G 2024 - Minot - ND Attack - Avery didn’t light up the scoreboard but she hit her shots when she was open. What was most impressive is she didn’t force her shot like she could have. She has a good handle on the ball, can relieve pressure off the drive, and pull-up with ease. A complete guard that will be a high-end scorer for years to come. [player_tooltip player_id="100472" first="Mallory" last="Miller"] - 6’4 F/C 2023 - Aberdeen Christian- Mallory was a force on the inside, using her length and size to its full potential. She kept the ball high away from the defense and swatted shots and rebounded the ball so well. She played much stronger physically than expected. I believe this event gave her a good amount of confidence heading into the high school season. She could post some legitimate stat numbers. [player_tooltip player_id="316049" first="Keelie" last="Sunde"] - 5’7 G 2025 - Horace - North Tartan - Keelie didn’t make the "wow" plays but she showed great skill and understanding of the game for a 2025 prospect. Has a great handle and is a lights-out shooter from three and mid-range off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id="240173" first="Ashton" last="Safranski"] - 5’5 PG 2024 - Fargo Davies - Minnesota Stars - Ashton warmed up about halfway through the event and became a playmaker with and without the ball. Did a good job getting in the lane and kicking out to teammates. Didn’t score over defense a lot but can get by the on-ball defender at will and punish the defense by getting in the middle of the paint. Stock-Risers [player_tooltip player_id="245564" first="Ivy" last="Fox"] - 6’0 F 2022 - Parshall - Missouri River Elite - Talk about a stock-riser. Ivy was dominant on both ends against the best of the Dakotas, and her stock is up in a major way. She played with such confidence and nothing phased her on the court. Dominant in the paint and was on fire from three as well. Defensively, she was blocking shots left and right. Ivy needs to be taken serious by college programs in a big way. She had a demeanor at the event that was unmatched. [player_tooltip player_id="201446" first="Caylin" last="Kelly"] - 5’11 G/F 2024 - Florence-Henry - Pentagon Schoolers - Caylin was another major stock-riser. She was relentless offensively, attacking the hoop at will. Clearly one of the top scorers at the event from an overall numbers standpoint. [player_tooltip player_id="100470" first="Cierra" last="Watkins"] - 5’7 PG 2023 - Sioux Falls Jefferson - SD Network - Cierra played extremely well and was a constant playmaker all event. She made steals, handled the ball, dished out dimes, and hit shots. [player_tooltip player_id="342171" first="Addison" last="Sage"] - 5’1 PG 2026 - Thompson - Addison was the smallest player at the event but she by far in a way was the best ball-handler and was super-skilled with the ball. One of the most entertaining watches you’ll find on a basketball court. [player_tooltip player_id="240176" first="Taylor" last="Van Winkle"] - 5’11 G/F 2023 - West Fargo - Taylor’s size was a bit of a surprise to me. She performed well all-around. Wasn’t flashy but played sound defense and mistake-free offensive ball. She could be a major asset to West Fargo and a surprising breakout player in the EDC. [player_tooltip player_id="99757" first="Tabor" last="Teel"] - 5’10 G 2022 - West Central - Pentagon Schoolers - Tabor’s stock continues to rise somehow. Especially now that she had a chance to show herself against top talent. She did a little bit of everything on the court. Her aggressiveness off the drive was evident and showed the ability to hit jumpers. Got after on the defensive end as well.