Top 250 Expo: 2024 defensive difference-makers, part 2
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In part one of defensive different makers we brought you our first five prospects who a made a difference at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. The first five included guards: Piper Engelby Piper Engelby 5'11" | SG Andover…
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Continue ReadingIn part one of defensive different makers we brought you our first five prospects who a made a difference at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. The first five included guards: Piper Engelby Piper Engelby 5'11" | SG Andover | 2024 State MN of Andover, Macy Birkholz Macy Birkholz 5'5" | CG Mankato East | 2024 State MN of Mankato East, Norah Danielson Norah Danielson 6'0" | SF Delano | 2024 State MN of Delano, Julia Thoms Julia Thoms 5'11" | PG Prior Lake | 2024 State MN of Prior Lake, and Kate Drury Kate Drury 5'9" | CG Chanhassen | 2024 State MN of Chanhassen. Today we offer you 6 more prospects who play the forward position.
Morgan Miller Morgan Miller 6'2" | PF Andover | 2024 State MN – Power forward, Andover
Miller (top photo) came off a great AAU season and it carried on to the Expo. The 6’2 power forward was too much for anyone to handle. She is bigger and stronger then almost everyone on the court. On offense she has great footwork around the rim, where she can finish with either hand, as well as great agility to get a lot of offensive rebounds and put-backs for her team. For her position she sees the floor very well and makes great passes to her teammates, especially when she’s doubled. On defense her timing was impeccable, helping her block a lot of shots. With her skill and size you will see a lot more offers pouring in this year.
Olivia Pawlicki Olivia Pawlicki 6'1" | SF Shakopee | 2024 State MN – Small forward, Shakopee
Pawlicki was great overall at the Expo. At 6’0 she is long, lean and has the long arms to complement it, which helps her get a lot of blocked shots. She rebounded really well on both ends of the floor, getting easy put backs on offense and making great outlet passes on defense. She’s the backbone of the defense and will clean up anything that comes to the lane. The small forward will also knock down threes in your face making her a hard guard. With her shooting abilities she can spread the floor and open up the offense for her team.
Bella Sutch Bella Sutch 6'0" | SF Spring Lake Park | 2024 State MN – Forward, Spring Lake Park
Sutch plays a physical all-around game and plays with a lot of urgency. The 6’0 small forward is a beast on the block and can finish on either side with her strong upper body. However on defense, she is the difference maker; She boxes out every time a shot goes up, is active on the offensive boards, and her timing on blocking shots has improved greatly. Lets just say Sutch controls the paint on both offense and defense.
Kylie Waytashek Kylie Waytashek 6'2" | PF Royalton | 2024 State MN – Small forward, Royalton
The 6’1 small forward was great at the expo dominating on both ends of the floor. Only a sophomore, she hasn’t hit her peak yet but as she continues to get better, she also continues to expand her game. Kylie is a great at collecting rebounds, I figured she had 10 in each of the three games. Like her counterpart Pawlicki, Kylie can also spread the floor on offense with her great stroke from beyond the arc. I saw her get a rebound and dribble it back to the three and pull up for the shot. She was Morrison County Record player of the year last year as a freshman and she is looking to have another breakout season this year.
Abby Maloney Abby Maloney 6'1" | PF St. Peter | 2024 State MN – Power forward, St. Peter
Maloney plays a solid game. She does what she needs to do on offense and defense. At 6’1 the power forward holds down the paint for almost every team she plays for. She will make the extra pass, get a key stop on defense, or get a big offensive rebound for a put-back. She’s the type of player who knows her role, she doesn’t try to do too much but always does enough. I mean that in a good way. She consistently plays her game, every game, so you know what to expect every time she’s on the floor. You can expect her to block shots on the block, run the floor and hustle down the court on each play. This year she has elevated her game to become a stretch four who can do it all.
Jessika Lofstrom Jessika Lofstrom 5'11" | SF Grand Rapids | 2024 State MN – Small forward, Grand Rapids
Lofstrom caught my eye right away at the Expo by her work ethic on the court. Once I found out she’s a two-sport athlete I could tell where her high motor was from. The 5’11 forward plays a smooth, mature game where she’s good around the rim and has good timing. As she gets older she may transition into a combo guard, but already has the guard skills. Lofstrom can guard many spots on the floor and get stops on defense. She’s great at running the floor after securing the rebound.
Honorable Mention
Casey Beck Casey Beck 5'11" | SF Coon Rapids | 2024 State MN – 5’10 Small forward, Coon Rapids
Peyton Shaffer Peyton Shaffer 6'0" | SF Stillwater | 2024 MN – 5’11 Forward, Stillwater
Abby Richter Abby Richter 5'11" | SF Edina | 2024 State MN – 5’11 Small forward, Edina
Kylan Gerads Kylan Gerads 5'11" | SF Albany | 2024 State MN – 5’10 Wing/Forward, Albany