Dominating the Paint: Top Posts at Dakotas Top 250 Expo
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In the world of girls’ basketball, post players with a strong “paint presence” can be the centerpiece of any successful team and seem to be becoming more rare. They control the paint, dominate in the low post, and play a…
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Continue ReadingIn the world of girls’ basketball, post players with a strong “paint presence” can be the centerpiece of any successful team and seem to be becoming more rare. They control the paint, dominate in the low post, and play a pivotal role on both offense and defense. The Dakotas Top 250 Expo is renowned for showcasing some of the best prospects in the region, and this year was no exception. Here, we highlight the top post players who left a lasting impression at the camp with how they dominated the interior.
Avery Orth Avery Orth 6'2" | C Wessington Springs | 2024 State SD – Class of 2024 – Wessington Springs SD – 6’2″ C
Avery Orth Avery Orth 6'2" | C Wessington Springs | 2024 State SD displayed remarkable finesse inside the paint, making her a formidable presence on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she showcased an array of post moves, including an unstoppable drop step and a tactical step-through. Her footwork and balance were exceptional, allowing her to score efficiently in tight spaces. She has an impressive ability to overpower defenders and can put up points in bunches when she gets enough touches. On defense, Orth’s shot-blocking skills deterred opponents from challenging her at the rim. She had an innate sense of timing, getting into position to alter shots and slow down opposing offenses.
TyAnn Mortensen – Class of 2025 – Faith SD – 5’10” F/C
TyAnn was a defensive stud with a knack for intimidating opponents in the paint. She has shot-blocking ability and positions herself well to keep opposing players away from the rim on the drive. On the offensive end, she utilized her size and strength to establish deep post position, making her a reliable scoring option. Mortensen’s footwork allowed her to create space and finish around defenders. Pair this with an efficient jump shot and you have a really talented scorer. She is a rebounding machine and did an excellent job crashing the boards to earn her team extra opportunities, as well as limiting the opponent to one attempt by clearing the defensive boards. Mortensen’s ability to alter shots, snag rebounds, finish shots in the paint, and stretch defensive posts out to guard the perimeter with her shooting ability, make her a valuable asset.
Madison Geiver Madison Geiver 6'2" | C Brandon Valley | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025 – Brandon Valley SD – 6’2″ C
Madison’s physicality and toughness set her apart as a dominant post-player. Offensively, she was relentless on the boards, converting offensive rebounds into second-chance points. Geiver’s determination in the low post allowed her to score through contact and draw fouls, putting significant pressure on opposing defenses. On the defensive end, her anticipation and high level of communication made everyone else around her better. Geiver’s ability to bury defenders for the catch and easy score, dominate the rebounds on both ends, and intimidate opposing players from attacking the basket led to her being a top standout on the event.
Nevaeh Tormaschy Nevaeh Tormaschy 6'2" | PF Dickinson Trinity | 2025 State ND – Class of 2025 – Trinity ND – 6’2″ C
Nevaeh used her size and shot-blocking ability to control the paint on both ends of the court. Offensively, she was a force in the low post with the ability to seal, catch, and make a move to get to the basket and score or get fouled. Tormaschy’s soft touch around the rim and ability to finish with either hand made her a versatile scoring threat. Defensively, her shot-blocking skills were intimidating, altering the trajectory of shots and forcing opponents to second-guess their attempts in the paint. Tormaschy’s presence inside on both ends of the floor made her a crucial anchor for her team.
Keyra Kruse Keyra Kruse 6'0" | C Sioux Valley | 2025 State SD – Class of 2025 – Sioux Valley SD – 6’0″ C
Keyra is a valuable contributor in the paint, possessing a unique ability to score with her back to the basket as well as knock down shots form the outside. Kruse’s ability to read passing lanes and create turnovers helps to produce easy transition baskets. Her ability to stretch out opposing post players with the ability to knock down the three makes her a tough matchup and a versatile threat on offense. On defense, she has instinctual shot-blocking ability and uses her length not only for blocks but to get steals as well.
Harley Koth Harley Koth 5'9" | PF Beresford | 2026 State SD – Class of 2026 – Beresford SD – 5’9″ F
Harley is a talented dual threat for the Watchdogs and showed off her skillset at the expo. She cracks this list for her contributions in the paint but may be the biggest dual threat on this list. She can play multiple positions and provides a diverse athlete who can contribute in a variety of ways. On the day she showed off a great aggressive nature to driving the basketball and did an excellent job getting the ball to the paint to score or create a shot for others. Tough finishes were no challenge for her as she handled phsyicality and stayed focus on getting the ball in the basket even in traffic. On defense she plays with a great motor and understands the importance of defedning 1 on 1 in helping her team get stops. Rounding out her game is the innate ability to get position for rebounds on both ends helping her team win the possession battle.
Betsy Joyce – Class of 2026 – New Ulm MN – 5’11” F
Betsy was an absolute workhorse and a steady player all day long at the event. She makes a ton of hustle plays and you get the sense that she understands the little details of the game that often separates great from the good. She battles on every rebound, positoins herself well to aid in her team’s defense, and has great footwork with a variety of moves to score both off the dribble and with catches in the paint. Betsy had some of the most patient post footwork at the event and demonstrated a high IQ in using her body, timing, and physical nature to score in the paint. Pair this with an ability to get out and run in transiton and you have a very talented player to keep an eye on from New Ulm, MN.
The Dakotas Top 250 Expo once again served as a platform for showcasing a variety of top post players in girls’ basketball. These young talents demonstrated a combination of size, skill, and determination that bodes well for their future careers. Their abilities on both ends of the floor, from scoring in the low post to shot-blocking and defensive disruption, showcased their versatility and potential. As they continue to hone their skills and develop their game, they are sure to make a significant impact on the world of girls’ basketball. Keep an eye on these rising stars as they roam the paint in the years to come.