PGHByron’s Top 250: First Team All-Expo (Illinois)
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My first Top 250 Expo experience was nothing short of incredible. The 5-hour event was electric from start to finish. Each court was filled with talent from all over the state. Stocks were raised and names were made. Each girl…
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Continue ReadingMy first Top 250 Expo experience was nothing short of incredible. The 5-hour event was electric from start to finish. Each court was filled with talent from all over the state. Stocks were raised and names were made. Each girl & team gave more than their all, but there’s always a select few that stick out. Below are my selections for my “First Team All Expo”
Nikki Kerstein Nikki Kerstein 5'8" | PG Montini Catholic | 2025 State IL | 2025 Guard | Deerfield
Even with a star-studded team, Kerstein continued to keep all eyes on her. Not having to be the primary scorer on her team, she was able to show the full flexibility of her game by controlling the pace and getting multiple assists to each player on her team. Her creativity is always on full display. Nikki is a special talent. Deerfield this year will be the place to be.
Destiny Jackson Destiny Jackson 5'6" | CG Whitney Young | 2025 State IL | 2025 Guard | Whitney Young
Hard to keep track of all the buckets she gave out, but Destiny can and will do whatever it is to keep her team ahead. In all games, she showed what a high-caliber scoring guard looks like. Free throw line floaters, up and under double-teamed layups, and efficient shooting from the mid to the arc. Her offensive package has 0 flaws.
Lenee Beaumont Lenee Beaumont 6'0" | SG Benet Academy | 2023 State IL | 2023 Guard | Benet
From game 1 to game 6 Lenee showed why she is one of the state’s top guards. With averaging around 20 ppg throughout the expo, she consistently separated herself from those around her. Lenee is an ELITE player, her stock rises by the day. The clear-cut MVP of the entire expo.
Ryann Wendt Ryann Wendt 5'11" | SG Downers Grove North | 2022 State IL | 2022 Guard/Forward | Downers Grove North
With each minute and second she was on the court, Ryann displayed what true relentlessness looks like. From chasing the rebound off her own 3 point attempts (rare misses) to tip-backs and multiple high offensive rebound games… she gave nothing but true effort, passion, and energy on both sides of the court with no give up.
Ariana Bullock-Williams Ariana Bullock-Williams 6'2" | SF Example Academy | 2024 State IL – Bullock | 2024 Forward | Kenwood
Pump fakes just don’t work. Ari is beyond disciplined on the defensive side of the ball. There’s nothing she can’t block. Chase down, face-up, or second jump. Definitely one of the top Defensive players of the Expo. When she wasn’t sending shots to the other courts, her pick and roll game was shown to perfection. Bullock is a match for any point guard who takes the court with her. She can set then roll, slip and fade with grace. Her offensive skills and overall toughness were a problem for every opponent.