Dakotas Top 250 Expo: Top Talent & Stock-Risers
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Reese Ross
Reese
Ross
6'1" | SF
St. Thomas More | 2023
State
SD
– 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.
Katie Vasecka Katie Vasecka 6'2" | CG Tea Area | 2024 State SD – 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.
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Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda 6'2" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2022 State SD – 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.
Brooklyn Harpe Brooklyn Harpe 6'0" | CG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – 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.
Hilary Behrens Hilary Behrens 6'1" | SG Brandon Valley | 2023 State SD – 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.
Chloe Pfau Chloe Pfau 5'11" | SG West Fargo | 2023 State ND – 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.
Madelyn Bragg Madelyn Bragg 6'3" | C Aberdeen Roncalli | 2022 State SD – 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.
Miriley Simon Miriley Simon 6'1" | C West Fargo | 2023 State ND – 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.
Maggie Fricke Maggie Fricke 5'8" | PG Minot | 2026 State ND – 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.
Alyssa Eckroth Alyssa Eckroth 6'1" | SG Bismarck Legacy | 2023 State ND – 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.
Alexus Motley
Alexus
Motley
5'7" | CG
Sioux Falls Washington | 2023
State
SD
– 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.
Avery Lunde
Avery
Lunde
5'9" | SG
Minot | 2024
State
ND
– 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.
Mallory Miller Mallory Miller 6'4" | C Wolsey-Wessington | 2023 State SD – 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.
Keelie Sunde Keelie Sunde 5'8" | PG Horace | 2025 State ND – 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.
Ashton Safranski Ashton Safranski 5'7" | PG Fargo Davies | 2024 State ND – 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
Ivy Fox Ivy Fox 6'0" | PF Parshall | 2022 State ND – 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.
Caylin Kelly Caylin Kelly 6'0" | SF Florence/Henry | 2024 State SD – 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.
Cierra Watkins Cierra Watkins 5'6" | PG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD – 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.
Addison Sage Addison Sage 5'6" | PG Thompson | 2026 State ND – 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.
Taylor Van Winkle Taylor Van Winkle 5'11" | SG West Fargo | 2023 State ND – 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.
Tabor Teel Tabor Teel 6'0" | SG West Central | 2022 State SD – 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.