PGH Top 250: First Team All-Expo
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Yesterday was the PGH Iowa – Top 250 Expo in Grimes, Iowa. An event that had around 50 players come out to compete over 4 hours, to show off their skill and what they could do with some other really…
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Continue ReadingYesterday was the PGH Iowa – Top 250 Expo in Grimes, Iowa. An event that had around 50 players come out to compete over 4 hours, to show off their skill and what they could do with some other really talented players around them. Over this week, we will be publishing team evaluations for all squads, as well as some other evaluations and breakdowns for players that displayed their talents at an extremely high level. In the article below I am going to highlight 5 players who will make up our “First Team” of this event. Every individual listed is one that showed impressive skill throughout each contest on Sunday and that they are ready to compete once this high school season pops up in the next few months.
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Sacha Alesch Sacha Alesch 5’6″ | SG Bishop Garrigan | 2026 State IA is a bucket. There isn’t any other way to put it. It doesn’t matter if she is pulling up from 5 feet behind the 3 point line or if she is taking it all the way to the rack, she is going to get wherever she wants to go and in a hurry. When you hear about a player like this the imagination starters to take you places but I think the best way to describe Alesch’s game is as crafty and effective. She makes good choices a majority of the time with the ball in her hands and can really cause some havoc on the defensive side of things with her active hands and knowledge of the game. At Bishop Garrigan high school this winter Alesch will be a big part of this programs rebuild. She is the type of player that can be counted on each game to produce but to what extent? We will have to wait and find out.
Highlights
Grace Linder Grace Linder 5’11” | SF West Des Moines Valley | 2025 State IA is a solid basketball player that is skilled in the game and also possesses some good size to pair along with that. On Sunday, Linder showed off to everyone in the gym that she is ready for this high school season and ready to compete at a high level while doing so. On most occasions Linder was killing her personal matchups in whichever way she liked. She was using her size advantage near the rim, sprinting the floor and beating her opponents to their spots almost each time down the court, defending both smaller and bigger players depending on the situation, and was a positive influence to the teammates around her. The thing that stands out about Linder’s game the most, that is underrated, is her motor. She does not stop. It’s not something you can teach and it’s not something that all players have. Her energy is always off of the charts and it shows to the college coaches watching out there, trust me.
Highlights
Paige Andernacht Paige Andernacht 5'11" | C Johnston | 2028 IA
Paige Andernacht Paige Andernacht 5'11" | C Johnston | 2028 IA
Paige Andernacht Paige Andernacht 5’11” | C Johnston | 2028 IA is a forward/center to keep an eye on over the next few years. Andernacht is a 5’10/5’11 monster in the paint. A player that is young but understands spacing, footwork, and game situations really well when she catches it with her back to the basket. When it comes to rebounding she is one of those players that just doesn’t quit until the whistle is blown and that is something college coaches love to see. A physically skilled player, with knowledge of the game and a high motor with no quit. Her growth over the next few years is going to be important as she is only in 8th grade. If she can expand her skill’s, while also continuing to grow a little bit more as she gets into high school at Johnston, then she is going to be another college player coming out of the Dragons pipeline over the next few years. Until then, she just has to keep working on her own game and things are going to be just fine. She has a very bright future on the court from what I saw on Sunday first hand.