Other Standouts: PGH Live

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">In Council Bluffs, more players thrived than just the ones I've mentioned in the last few days. So today, I'd like to shed some light on those players I haven't highlighted yet.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="338951" first="Natalie" last="Mueller"]-Chapman Basketball Academy 2023 Frings</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I'll never forget the first time I ever saw Mueller. She knocked down a straightaway 3-pointer from the volleyball line, and I looked at the person I was talking to and asked, "Who the heck is that?" From that point, I kept an eye on Mueller's freshman season at Homestead. Every time she shoots the ball, I 100% believe it's going in the basket. That thought was correct all weekend. I've wanted to see what else she can do with her jump shot, and I loved how she attacked recovering defenses. She has a ton of length for a 5-foot-7 guard, and she used it to defend at a competent level all weekend. I was pleasantly surprised with how good she was cutting off driving lanes against some scholarship-level talent.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="266993" first="Ava" last="Brandenburg"]-Let it Rain 2024 Black</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I've always loved the versatility of Brandenburg, and she displayed all of that this weekend. She is one of the few players who can play all five positions. Her size will lead her to settle as two, three, or four at the next level, but she has the skill, strength, speed, and balance to help her chip in everywhere on the floor. I thought she was efficient on both ends of the court and was integral in leading her team to a 4-0 record in Council Bluffs.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id='521880' first='Ava' last='Hanson']-Wisconsin Blaze 2024 Black</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Hanson brought a calming presence to her team that helped them win games in Council Bluffs. She's a 5-foot-6 guard who brings pressure on the ball defensively and makes opposing lead guards uncomfortable. I liked how well Hanson plays within the havoc of AAU basketball. I thought she did a good job making winning plays and creating for others.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id='474774' first='Leah' last='Nordin']-Wisconsin Blaze 2025 Black</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">In the class of 2026, I don't know anyone with more potential than Nordin. She's a 6-foot guard with enough skill to put the ball on the floor to attack the basket. Nordin also has the athleticism to rise above anyone. I didn't see her best showing in person, but the best players move differently on the floor, and even playing up against some talented 2025 talent, she looked the part.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="277926" first="Hannah" last="Nadgwick"]-Omaha Supreme 2023 Hanke</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I remember seeing Nadgwick in Omaha a few weeks ago. I loved what she did then, and I loved what she did last weekend. She's an athletic 5-foot-10 wing/forward who does her damage when she gets around the basket. I got a chance to see a few more kids try and move her in the post, but unsurprisingly she was the strongest kid on the floor when I saw her this weekend. I liked how she used her physical tools to help her team excel and win.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="342201" first="Samantha" last="Mcdonald"]-Iowa Prep 2023 Platinum</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Iowa native is someone I enjoy watching because she doesn't necessarily need the ball to impact winning. McDonald's going to take every team she plays on to another level. She thrives away from the ball and on the defensive end. McDonald brings pressure to the ball and creates madness when a lead guard isn't confident with the ball. Wherever she lands after she leaves high school will get a kid who will make her team better every day in practice and earn early minutes.</span>