PGH Legacy Region Finals: Best of the 27s & 28s

In every class there are precious few players whose vertical dimensions exceed 6 feet. Only a handful will stand 6’2 or 6’3. So when a 75-inch 7th grader steps onto the floor for warmups we always pay attention. When she’s long and lean, and her first few moves make it obvious there’s some athleticism involved, we immediately sit up straight and begin taking notes. That’s exactly what happened this weekend at Legacy Region Finals on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. Even though her team’s roster wasn’t included on the tournament website, it didn’t take long to get some intel on Jane Garlock. This precious find leads the way as we take a look at five 2027 and 2028 players who stood out.

Jane Garlock – 2028 forward, Wisconsin Lady Starz Elite

The Lady Starz ran the tables at the Legacy Region Finals capturing the 13U championship and winning four games by an average margin of victory of 22 points. It’s not that all of the other teams were sub-par. No, it’s just that they didn’t have any answers for Garlock. Who would? A 6’3 13-year-old with pace, athleticism, agility, and skill is no match for your average 7th grader. Not even your above-average 7th grader. Not even elite-level 7th graders. It took only a few minutes to discern the obvious: Garlock is destined for the loftier heights of college basketball should she so choose.

Jane appears to have some seriously good DNA. We’re told her mom was an outstanding player back in the day. Her older brother Will is a 6’11 post player with Division 1 offers. And Jane has already invested the time to develop her game to a significant level of skill. She scored numerous baskets simply by posting up, executing a sweet little spin move, elevating a story or two above her defender, and finishing with a nice little jumper. Simple, straightforward, and entirely impossible to defend. But she showed a whole lot more than that. Garlock can handle the ball, is a very good passer, moves well side to side, and has pretty light feet for her size. I’m not sure what else to say other than this: Jane’s going to be big time.

Here are four more youngsters we liked at Wayzata.

Kendall Schmitz – 2027 guard, 1848 Legends National

We saw a lot of really good athletes at the Legacy Region Finals but I’m pretty certain none was quicker than the little guard from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Schmitz caught our attention immediately because she was here, there and everywhere seemingly all at once. Her straight-line speed is impressive, but it is the ability to change directions in a flash, move exceptionally well laterally, and get to the spot before anyone else that take your breath away. The fact that the 5’3 freshman-to-be is very skilled and utterly fearless makes the package that much more enticing. Schmitz was unafraid to take the ball into the trees, absorb contact, and finish with a variety of moves. She put defenders on their heels constantly and the results were impressive as 1848 took home the 14U championship, winning by 27, 27, 33 and 20.

Brooke DeShong –2027 forward, United Hoops

The stunning sky blue and pink uniforms weren’t the only thing we liked about United Hoops 2027. Several of the incoming freshmen from the Madison area impressed including DeShong, a 5’10 forward with a solid all-around game. Perhaps the best word to describe the way Brooke plays is “workmanlike” and we mean that in the most complimentary way possible. DeShong isn’t flashy, but she does so many things well on both sides of the ball, using her strength and size to beat out opponents for rebounds; employing her court vision and passing skills to set up teammates for an open look; using her instincts to make the right reads and execute quality plays. Coaches love kids who just take care of business, play with a calm demeanor, and never stop hustling. Brooke will do all of that at McFarland High School.

Maggie Dyer – 2028 guard, Air Minnesota 2026

2028 point guard Amelia Mills Amelia Mills 5'6" | PG Rochester Mayo | 2028 MN has been creating plenty of buzz in Rochester and on the AAU Circuit with North Tartan. It is well-deserved. The fact she’s going to have Maggie to work with in the Mayo lineup makes the possibilities even more intriguing. We watched Dyer closely for the first time this weekend. Playing two years up on Air Minnesota’s 9th grade squad, Maggie looked right at home. She’s long and athletic, highly mobile and can get up and down the floor with lengthy strides and plenty of pace. Her elevation is impressive, too. We loved her maturity and demeanor on the court. Maggie did nice work on defense where she used her long arms and quick feet to cause all manner of problems for opponents. It was fun watching her go head-to-head with Landis Williamson-Andrews Landis Williamson-Andrews 5'7" | CG Two Rivers | 2026 State MN of Minnesota Diamond Elite, a Top 75 prospect in the Class of 2026. Both have bright futures.

Jazmin Daing Jazmin Daing 6'1" | CG Rochester JM | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard/wing, FBC North 2025

That Daing should make a list of impressive 2027s will come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. It was only a month ago that the 6-footer was named to our 20-player Watch List for Minnesota’s Class of 2027. She’s clearly one of the best prospects in her grade. Now playing two years up for FBC North, Daing has brought a spark to the team and the ability to change the course of a game with her speed, quickness, elevation and touch. It all comes so naturally for Jazmin who clearly enjoys the game. She can score off the bounce, hit you with the knock-down jump shot, and make threes from anywhere. Jazmin is young, of course, so we’ll try not to get ahead of ourselves. Let’s just say the possibilities are endless.