Top 250 Expo: 2023s who raised their stock, part 1
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There are a lot of reasons to participate in showcase events such as the Top 250 Expo. One of the most important is to improve your status as a college recruit and earn the right to move up in the…
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Continue ReadingThere are a lot of reasons to participate in showcase events such as the Top 250 Expo. One of the most important is to improve your status as a college recruit and earn the right to move up in the Prep Girls Hoops rankings. There were plenty of players who did exactly that on Sunday at Bloomington Kennedy. Today we offer you part 1 of 2023 prospects who raised their stock at the Expo.
Sammi Chandler Sammi Chandler 5'8" | CG Red Wing | 2023 State MN – 5’8 guard, Red Wing
We have always liked Sammi’s tenacity and fire. She plays the game with energy and enthusiasm and, like most of the kids from Red Wing, she is a difference maker defensively. Sammi can also score. She is regularly in double figures for the Wingers and showed this summer with Minnesota Stars DeSart that she can put the ball in the basket against strong AAU opponents, as well. Chandler was definitely in the groove at the Top 250 Expo, pushing the pace, moving the ball, causing havoc for opposing ball-handlers and creating turnovers in her team’s favor. That’s just what she does.
Sierre Lumpkin Sierre Lumpkin 5'10" | SF Benilde-SM | 2023 State MN – 5’10 forward, Benilde-St. Margaret’s
It has been an awfully long time since we last watched Sierre play basketball. When we first evaluated the 2023s a couple of years back, Lumpkin was a star on the rise. Over the past couple of years, however, she had dropped off the radar a little. After transferring from Edina to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Lumpkin had to play on the junior varsity last season. This summer she played just one event and then did volleyball. But there she was Sunday, looking as smooth and athletic and talented as ever. Sierre is the latest in a line of athletic Lumpkins, with a dad who played in the NFL and a brother who made it to the show. She’s got gifts and we were thrilled to see them being put to good use once again.
Aubrea Kor Aubrea Kor 5'8" | CG Pipestone Area | 2023 State MN – 5’8 guard, Pipestone
Participating in showcase events like the Top 250 Expo can make a big difference for a player in terms of visibility and exposure. Take Aubrea for example. She’s from Pipestone, plays AAU for South Dakota Network and hasn’t had a ton of air time in these parts since last year’s Expo. Sunday she reminded us just what she can do. Kor’s versatility is impressive. She’s a terrific shooter with great mechanics, a quick release and a ton of range. She can get to the basket with a variety of moves and can finish with either hand. She may not be fancy but Kor is definitely effective and she has improved. A lot. She showed some nice defensive abilities, as well, and an offensive tool box that included the Eurostep, a soft floater, and a spin move. It was good stuff.
Pearla-Lynn Teko-Folly – 6’0 forward, Rosemount
Pearla-Lynn established herself this summer as a player we needed to watch when she turned in a series of strong performances for 43 Hoops McCoy. To be honest, most of our attention in those games was focused on her teammate Vanessa Saidu Vanessa Saidu 6'2" | SF Cooper | 2023 State MN of Park Center, who is a rising star in the class, but we also liked what we saw from Teko-Folly. At 6 feet, with nice length and athleticism, she’s definitely got the physical attributes college basketball coaches are looking for. She’s a solid rebounder who anticipates and positions well. She can score in close with either hand, and her shooting and footwork are improving. Currently ranked #133, Pearla-Lynn was definitely trending in the right direction on Sunday.
Alexis Schroeder Alexis Schroeder 5'5" | CG Caledonia | 2023 State MN – 5’5 guard, Caledonia
We first saw Alexis at the 2019 Minnesota State High School Tournament when the then-8th grader played a crucial role for Caledonia. She averaged double figures and turned a ton of heads. Schroeder’s team didn’t beat Minnehaha Academy but she left an indelible impression, and we have been fans of the feisty little guard ever since. Schroeder is fast and quick, smart and strong, and tough as nails. She is terrific one-on-one and her three-point shooting is excellent. The Top 100 prospect plays with a ton of confidence and the ball just seems to follow her around. On Sunday at the Top 250 we were reminded why Alexis is a next-level prospect.