Minnesota Top 250 Expo: The best of Team #4

The Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo reminded us once again just how many talented prospects there are in the state of Minnesota. Nearly a hundred players participated at Hopkins High School on Saturday. The tempo was high and the competition was intense, and the kids clearly had a fun day. So did we. Tony Ragulen and I are now analyzing what we saw on a team-by-team basis. Here's my perspective on Team #4.   TOP PROSPECTS   [player_tooltip player_id='721209' first='Ayla' last='Caskey'] – The 5'5 guard from New London-Spicer (pictured above) was recently added to the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2026 rankings at #54. That's really high for a debut ranking, particularly for a player who hasn't had all that much exposure to scouts and college coaches. On Saturday at the Top 250, however, Caskey more than lived up to her advance billing. Ayla is super quick. That serves her well on the defensive end of things where she is a disruptive force. She causes turnovers, captures steals, and scores in transition with a burst of straight-line speed and nice finishing. She is also an elite three-point shooter with quality mechanics and a soft release. Caskey joins [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite in the spring.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Lillian-Tidrick.jpg?w=1010" alt="" class="wp-image-781921" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502605' first='Lilly' last='Tidrick'] – The 5'9 guard from Princeton is a bulldog. Ranked #52 in Minnesota's Class of 2026, Tidrick has size, strength and speed. She does a masterful job of powering through contact to score at the rim or draw defenders so she can dish the pass to an open cutter. When Tidrick gets up a head of steam in transition there is no stopping her. Lilly averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds per game as a freshman last winter to lead Princeton. Our colleague Ally McGinnis' notes from the Expo said Tidrick reminded her of WNBA veteran Chelsea Gray, which is high praise and deadly accurate. Lilly played with [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite this summer and is still looking for a first-team AAU opportunity for next spring.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Jensyn-Storhoff.jpg?w=919" alt="" class="wp-image-781922" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502533' first='Jensyn' last='Storhoff'] – The 5'6 combo guard from Lanesboro has been a force over the past couple of summers on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. Doing work on behalf of [program_tooltip program_id='712352' first='Air' last='Minnesota'], Jensyn has brought her high-tempo, high-energy style to the table week after week and done well against all comers. Ranked #55 in the Class of 2026, the three-sport athlete was at it again on Saturday doing the same things. She handles the ball well, plays with pace and makes everyone around her better. She's poised and mature, makes good decisions, and is a natural leader. If you are looking for an alpha dog, Storhoff is your girl.   STOCK RISERS   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Josie-Foster.jpg?w=973" alt="" class="wp-image-781923" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='339121' first='Josie' last='Foster'] – The 2025 forward from Caledonia showed off a ton of improvement on Saturday. At 5'10 she has plenty of length which she has always put to good use. What we saw at the Top 250, however, was vast improvement in her ball-handling ability. As a result, Josie was able to bring the ball up the floor at pace, put it on the deck to go at defenders one-on-one, and get to the rim with the ball with greater frequency. Her confidence was definitely up there. To be clear, Josie was very good at last year's Top 250 Expo, as well, and she has put together a nice body of work in high school and AAU. What we saw this time around, however, was a breakthrough that bodes well for the future.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Jacey-Swanson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-781930" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502540' first='Jacey' last='Swanson'] – The 5'5 guard from St. James has already earned a Top 75 ranking in Minnesota's Class of 2026. That's impressive given that she and her sister Journey sometimes get overshadowed on a stellar [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='MN' last='Rise'] team that was loaded this year with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='280354' first='Tucker' last='Livi Downs'], [player_tooltip player_id='339175' first='Brooklyn' last='Lewis'], [player_tooltip player_id='339179' first='Brylee' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='498663' first='Madison' last='Ohm']. We can assure you that the Swansons are excellent next-level prospects in their own right. We watched Jacey go off on an all-out aerial assault at the Mill City Invitational. On Saturday she once again showed off her willingness and ability to knock down shots. She's quick and agile and gets to the rim with quick steps and intelligent choices.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Kelsey-Miller.jpg?w=990" alt="" class="wp-image-781937" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='339221' first='Kelsey' last='Miller'] – The forward from Chanhassen is the biggest player in the state of Minnesota that we know of. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall is going to get you noticed on a basketball court and there has been plenty of scrutiny of Kelsey's game. Kelsey played this summer season with [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] on the top team and it was great to see her back on the floor at the Top 250. Not surprisingly, Miller has all the tools to be an outstanding paint protector and rebounder who can change a game with her size, strength and smarts. She reminds us a lot of Bailey Helgren, the former Edina post who played at Kansas and Minnesota. Ranked #78 in the Class of 2025, Miller is working hard to gain quickness and more mobility as she prepares for what surely will be a high-level college opportunity.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Zoie-Verhasselt.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-781939" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='533848' first='Zoe' last='Verhasselt'] – From the very first time we saw the 2025 guard at an AAU tryout three years ago, Zoe has grabbed our attention with her quickness and athleticism, which are top notch. Standing 5'8, the Hutchinson junior uses those natural assets well on both ends of the court. At the Expo she impressed with her ability to shoot the ball from distance – her step-back three is fun to watch – and create scoring opportunities for herself and others. Ranked #130 in the class, she averaged about 9 points per game last winter as the Tigers' third-leading scorer, but a 30-point outburst against Richfield offered a glimpse into exactly what Verhasselt is capable off. We liked how Zoe moved off the ball on Saturday, as well.   EMERGING TALENT   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Lauren-Jackson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-781945" /></figure>   Lauren Jackson – Sharing a name with one of the all-time greats – the Australian Hall of Famer who dominated the WNBA in Seattle for a decade – Lauren is a power forward like her namesake. The 5'10 sophomore from Farmington and the MN Bobcats has a big body and plenty of potential. She shot the ball well on Saturday.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Amelia-Schwendimann.jpg?w=885" alt="" class="wp-image-781950" /></figure>   Amelia Schwendimann – The 5'10 forward from Orono has terrific length and she uses it well, particularly on the defensive side of the equation. The 2026, who plays for Crossfire Gee, competes with energy and effort. She got to the basket frequently on Saturday and did a ton of little stuff well. Amelia is a bit unorthodox but highly effective.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Addison-Krueger.jpg?w=980" alt="" class="wp-image-781951" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502587' first='Addison' last='Krueger'] – The 5'10 forward from Eden Prairie impacts the game in a variety of ways. She has good length, is quite mobile, has nice quickness and athletic ability. Addison has clearly put in the time to develop solid ball-handling skills. A 2026 from the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'], Krueger is working to be a better finisher at the rim.   PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to this report

The Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo reminded us once again just how many talented prospects there are in the state of Minnesota. Nearly a hundred players participated at Hopkins High School on Saturday. The tempo was high and the competition was intense, and the kids clearly had a fun day. So did we. Tony Ragulen and I are now analyzing what we saw on a team-by-team basis. Here's my perspective on Team #4.