PGH Freshman Showcase: The best of Team #5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a ton of talent in the gym for the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase and it was a treat to see the best of the 2027 class go head to head and not back down. Just to name a few notable match-ups, we had former AAU teammates [player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='377583' first='Mya' last='Wilson'] locking horns and going at each other. [program_tooltip program_id='713348' first='E1T1' last=''] teammates [player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs'] and <strong>Lyric Burrell</strong> calling each other out and getting after it. It was all in fun, but make no mistake, all of these players are out to prove they deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as their more ballyhooed contemporaries, so no better place than the showcase to show off all of the hard work they've been putting in over the summer heading into their high school seasons. Below is a quick snapshot of what I witnessed out of Team #5 at the showcase. While there's not a a lot of size in the 2027 class, this group had lighting quick ball handlers and sharp shooters to boot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760588,"width":255,"height":170,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/623-Kylie-Southworth-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760588" style="width:255px;height:170px" width="255" height="170" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kylie Southworth, St. Peter</strong> - With a team full of point guards, it was tough for anyone to really assert themselves as the "leader" so Southworth was content with sharing the wealth and picking her spots. She has an explosive 1st step and her ability to gather and finish under control was impressive. The form on her jump shot shows she's been putting in the work when no one is looking. Tons of upside here. Looking forward to her getting more comfortable in unfamiliar situations and being more of a vocal leader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760608,"width":254,"height":169,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/625-Greta-Eaves.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760608" style="width:254px;height:169px" width="254" height="169" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greta Eaves -</strong> Eaves may have had the move of the day. Prior to her play of the day, she had just hit a pull-up in transition, and on the very next play in transition she had a defender on her heals, hit her with a hesi, then crossed her over dropping the defender to one knee which had everyone watching jumping up and down while hooting and hollering. She played with good pace and knocked down the 3 ball at a pretty good clip. Eaves was fun to watch and it looked like she had a great time competing, as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760615,"width":254,"height":167,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/649-Annika-Kieser-crop-2862x1879-1694468026.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-760615" style="width:254px;height:167px" width="254" height="167" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644100' first='Annika' last='Kieser'], Wayzata</strong> - Kieser has a nice, strong physique and uses it well. She has a combination of strength and finesse that allowed her to get to her spot and a nice soft touch that enables her to finish with either hand. Defensively she moves her feet well and was able to defend without fouling. She was a willing passer and moved well without the ball. Looking forward to seeing Annika expand her game by adding a consistent outside shot to her bag. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760620,"width":261,"height":174,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/651-Lyric-Burrell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760620" style="width:261px;height:174px" width="261" height="174" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lyric Burrell, Maple Grove</strong> - Lyric may be one of the most athletic kids in the class. She attacks the rim with reckless abandon drawing attention and contact. In events like this when shots may not come at a premium, Burrell found other ways to make an impression. No loose ball was safe if she was around and was a hawk on the defensive end getting an impressive block on Pressley. Right now her game is all gas no breaks, but once she improves her outside shot and ability to go left, she will be tough to stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760621,"width":262,"height":175,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/688-Trinity-Baker.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760621" style="width:262px;height:175px" width="262" height="175" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='675971' first='Trinity' last='Baker'], Underwood</strong> - This was one of my favorite players to watch. Trinity is not very big but she plays with a lot of grit. She has an above average handle and has the ability to get a foot in the paint to either get a look for herself or a teammate. She didn't take a ton of shots, but when she did, she knocked them down at an impressive clip. Defensively she was constantly giving her opponent fits by moving her feet and just being in the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760622,"width":258,"height":172,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/695-Eilidh-Mrnak.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760622" style="width:258px;height:172px" width="258" height="172" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eilidh Mrnak, Becker</strong> - Another good Becker guard in the making is what I see in Mrnake. Good size, a high basketball IQ and a don't-quit attitude is a nice recipe for something special. Mrnak picked her spots and made good decisions when she very well could have jacked up questionable shots for the sake of shooting, but that's not how she's built. A physical presence on the offensive end mixed with good footwork makes Mrnak an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760623,"width":258,"height":172,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/701-Nyema-Montgomery.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760623" style="width:258px;height:172px" width="258" height="172" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nyema Montgomery, Robbinsdale Cooper</strong> - I've been watching Montgomery for a couple years now and have been waiting for her to assert herself and play with the belief that she belongs. Flashes of that were on full display on both ends of the court as she guarded the best players, and offensively put pressure on the defense from beginning to end. Montgomery got to the rim a ton finishing through contact and drawing fouls. She needs to continue to get stronger with the ball to cut down on turnovers, but her outside shot has improved and with her getting a bit taller and a lot stronger, she'll be a force to be reckoned with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760624,"width":259,"height":172,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/724-Safa-Ismail.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760624" style="width:259px;height:172px" width="259" height="172" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Safa Ismail, Burnsville -</strong> Ismail may be one of the more intriguing prospects that participated in the showcase. Standing at 5'11, and very long, she has the ability to impact the games in many ways. Defensively she was able to make up for a lack of position with her long strides giving her the ability to make up space to either block or change shots. She moved well without the ball and even knocked down a couple of threes throughout the day. I'm very excited to see where she ends up if she puts in the work and continues to grow her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760625,"width":257,"height":171,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/751-Amaya-Hinzmann.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760625" style="width:257px;height:171px" width="257" height="171" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amaya Hinzmann, St. Michael-Albertville</strong> - In unstructured events like this, post players are in no man's land more times than not. Hinzmann did not let that faze her as she continued to carve out space in the lane and gobble up every rebound in her vicinity. She displayed great patience on the offensive end and when she did get touches, made timely passes to cutters or kick outs to shooters when the defense collapsed in her lap. She needs to continue to work on being more assertive and holding her position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":760626,"width":263,"height":175,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/759-Savannah-Tepoorten.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-760626" style="width:263px;height:175px" width="263" height="175" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615435' first='Savannah' last='Tepoorten'], Benilde-St. Margaret's </strong>- Like Hinzmann, Tepoorten figured out the best way for her to get touches was to crash the offensive glass. The coach in me wanted to yell at the guards to throw the ball inside as she had the size advantage pretty much all day long. Eventually she'll gain the confidence to get on those pesky guards. There was one particular play that stands out. She was running in transition and was passed the ball at the top of the key, caught it in stride and Euro-stepped her way to the basket. The shot rimmed out, but that showed me all I needed to see. She has ability, she just needs opportunities. Playing with more force and finishing around the rim needs be a point of emphasis for Tepoorten going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->