Minnesota Top 250 Expo: Best of Team 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to our final installment from the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. There was a ton of talent in the gym with each team fielding 9-10 players, but somehow when it was time to take the court, Team 10 was down to 6 players. They didn't complain, they just went out and competed. Hats off to this next group of young ladies who were grinding each and every game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":785491,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/644-Niah-Hunter-crop-3923x2576-1697204975.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-785491" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782567' first='Niah' last='Hunter']</strong> - You have basketball players, and then you have hoopers. Hunter is a certified hooper. She just walks like a ball player, and if you know you know. During the Expo, this lefty got into the paint with her patented hesitation move early and often finishing over the top of the defense with a text book floater. She was flying all over the court on both sides of the ball and while only standing 5'5, has long arms that disrupt what look to be routine passes. She didn't let fatigue affect her effort which was one of the more impressive attributes she displayed. The 2026 guard will suit up for the [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] 16U Select 40 during the AAU season and looks to break into the Maple Grove line up this upcoming high school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":785571,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Rachel-Hunter.jpg?w=467" alt="" class="wp-image-785571" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782568' first='Rachel' last='Hunter']</strong> - Another [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite'] product showed us a thing or two at the Expo and did it early and often. Hunter plays at a good pace and doesn't allow the defense to speed her up. At 5'9, she has a solid frame and moved well with and without the ball throughout the Expo. She has good vision and hit cutting teammates in stride for easy buckets. Hunter also didn't mind crashing the glass for opportunities to give her squad 2nd and 3rd possessions. The 2025 guard will be suiting up for Eastview this upcoming season and will look to be a contributor for a team poised for success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":785517,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Myla-Evers.jpg?w=637" alt="" class="wp-image-785517" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782566' first='Myla' last='Evers']</strong> - The 6'0 forward out of Andover was very impressive putting in work on the perimeter and in the paint at the Top 250. She has great footwork and took what the defense gave her whether it was wide open threes or post-ups. She ran the floor very well and her ability to shoot the ball with range opened the court up for her teammates to get busy. Evers was able to finish with both hands around the basket which makes it tough to defend her once she has you on her back. The 2026 forward laces them up for the Minnesota Max during the AAU season and will no doubt be making an impact this coming high school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":511755,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/110-Amber-Mahal-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-511755" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502559' first='Amber' last='Mahal']</strong> - The 6'1 wing out of Northfield is the consummate team player. You need players that are willing to adopt whatever role is needed and Mahal fits the bill. Equipped with size and length, she rebounds and defends with passion. There were several times where she was open, but opted to swing the ball to a teammate for an even better shot. She was almost too unselfish, but in exhibitions like this it was a welcome sight. Don't get me wrong, she still knocked down shots, but it was her being the ultimate teammate that stuck out to me. Mahal is currently ranked 76th in the PGH 2026 rankings and will no doubt climb her way up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":785573,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Sienna-Mayer.jpg?w=408" alt="" class="wp-image-785573" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782570' first='Sienna' last='Mayer']</strong> - Maple Grove was well represented at the Expo with Mayer teaming up with fellow Crimson [player_tooltip player_id='782567' first='Niah' last='Hunter'] to wreak havoc on the competition. Mayer is a good floor leader looking to get her teammates involved and did a great job pushing pace and letting the the playmakers make plays. She has a nice handle and was very active and is clearly in great shape as with only playing with six, she kept her energy high and didn't let the lack of bodies affect her aggressiveness and effort. This [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 3SSB representative is one of the up-and-coming point guards in the 2026 class and we're very intrigued with her upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":785494,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/121-Audrey-Schmidtke-scaled-crop-2400x1576-1697206132.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-785494" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[<strong>player_tooltip player_id='478365' first='Audrey' last='Schmidtke']</strong>- Currently sitting at 29th in the 2026 PGH rankings, the former [player_tooltip player_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] and now [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] player is as competitive as they come. At 5'11 she's able to see over most of the competition and displayed her great vision and passing ability time and time again hitting cutting teammates for bucket after bucket. She has a nice feathery touch around the basket and finished with both hands. Representing Lakeville South, Schmidtke played as hard as anyone and is looking to be a major contributor this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->