Minnesota Top 250 Expo: The best of Team #6

There's no question that [player_tooltip player_id='515676' first='Samantha' last='Voll'] was going to be a big piece of the puzzle for Team #6 at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. The #23-rated player in the Class of 2026 is a rising star in Minnesota basketball, and we were intrigued by what she was going to do Saturday in Hopkins, particularly in a backcourt tandem with [player_tooltip player_id='472446' first='Amaya' last='Penn']. Unfortunately, Sam was home sick and had to bow out at the last minute. Nothing serious but her absence left the spotlight to others who made the most of their opportunity. Here's what we saw from Team #6.   TOP PROSPECTS   [player_tooltip player_id='453753' first='Lauren' last='Hillesheim'] – The 5'10 guard from Hopkins (pictured above) is a player on the rise. Although she spent some time sidelined with injury this year, that doesn't seem to have hampered her progress which has been substantial. Coming off a summer with [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops'] that saw her earn AAU All-Star honorable mention status, Lauren is primed to step into the spotlight at Hopkins. With five of the Royals' top six having graduated – that's 60 points per game and a whole lot of D1 talent and length lost – the opportunity should be there for Hillesheim to play big minutes. Lauren is long and muscular with a ton of strength. She can score inside, crashes the boards and fights for everything. She can step outside and make shots from beyond the arc. In AAU, Hillesheim has scored in mass quantities. Defensively she uses her length, strength, quickness and intensity to render life more difficult for opponents of all sizes. If all goes well this winter, look for Lauren to make a big jump in the prospect rankings.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Amaya-Penn.jpg?w=910" alt="" class="wp-image-782899" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='472446' first='Amaya' last='Penn'] – Minnesota Stars 2026 Hill won another AAU state championship this summer and turned heads across the country on the Adidas Circuit. Amaya was a huge part of that success. The 5'4 guard from St. Croix Lutheran has all of the tools to be successful at the next level, which is why she has earned the #36 ranking in the Class of 2026. Penn is a highly skilled ball handler who excels at playing fast. She can be deadly one-on-one or can step back and knock down the three in your face. She is an intense, disruptive defender who causes havoc on the floor. With quick feet, quick hands and straight-line speed that measures up to some of the state's best, the only thing Penn lacks is height. Amaya averaged 8 points per game at SCL last winter but with the graduation of Zoey Washington to the University of St. Thomas look out for what Amaya is about to do next.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Elli-Howard.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-782898" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502610' first='Elli' last='Howard'] – The 5'10 guard from Wayzata is a bomber. If there is a single thing that Howard has become known for, that's it. In reality, shooting lights out is only a small piece of what Elli brings to the table. As we saw this summer with Minnesota Stars Nilsen, she is capable of excelling at both ends of the court in many different ways. She moves the ball well, sees the floor, makes nice reads and good decisions. We love her quickness as an on-ball defender. On Saturday, we smiled again as Ellie picked some poor kid's pocket at mid-court and sprinted the length of the floor to score in transition. Obviously, there are a ton of great guards at Wayzata and Elli is grinding hard to carve her way into this year's rotation. Long term, however, her potential is excellent which is reflected in a Top 50 ranking in the Class of 2026.   STOCK RISERS   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Olivia-Owusu.jpg?w=960" alt="" class="wp-image-782900" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502545' first='Olivia' last='Owusu'] – The 5'8 guard from Eastview is coming off a breakout summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite']. The 2026 prospect had an excellent campaign on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit that saw her game expand greatly, her playing time increase dramatically and her confidence elevate. As a result, Owusu has earned her way into the rankings for the first time and is at #112. Owusu is tough. She plays a physical game and isn't afraid of contact down low. Now she's stepping outside more often. Her shooting has improved, her ball handling is trending in the right direction, and she's getting more comfortable playing a key offensive role. Olivia has a solid basketball IQ, is a fast learner, and is getting the necessary reps in to improve. How good can Owusu be? Only time will tell but we're feeling pretty good about where things are heading.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Ashlyn-Williams.jpg?w=964" alt="" class="wp-image-782901" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502538' first='Ashlyn' last='Williams'] – The 5'7 guard from Lakeville South and the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] is not afraid of hard work. It's obvious that Williams is doing all of the things necessary to develop her game and get noticed as a collegiate prospect. That means substantial time spent in the gym working on skill development, countless team and individual workouts, various showcase events, and consistently marketing herself via social media. It's working. Ashlyn just entered the Class of 2026 rankings at #124. She is a solid athletic guard who plays with confidence, aggressiveness and pace. She shares the ball, attacks constantly, and likes to play fast. Defensively, she is committed and aggressive and adept at forcing opponents to turn the ball over. Look for the three-sport athlete to have a big winter. She definitely raised her stock on Saturday.   EMERGING TALENT   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Heather-Sheehy.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-782907" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502603' first='Heather' last='Sheehy'] – The 5'6 guard from Maranatha Christian Academy defines what it means to be scrappy. She's not very big but the 2026 prospect packs a wallop by using her speed, quickness and intensity to deliver. On Saturday she showed off her 3-point shooting prowess – Heather loves to launch it from the corners – as well as her infectious energy. Sheehy, who plays AAU for [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite'], was a top 5 scorer on average as a freshman at Maranatha last winter. She's ready to do more this time around.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Maya-Jenkins.jpg?w=902" alt="" class="wp-image-782908" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='782565' first='Maya' last='Jenkins'] – At 5'11, Maya is long and lean. The [program_tooltip program_id='774653' first='Minnesota' last='Bobcats'] sophomore from Eastview is also versatile. Her biggest natural asset is her length with a wingspan that is a weapon and a great sense of timing to take advantage of that benefit on defense. On Saturday, the 2026 prospect showed a really nice turnaround jump shot from short range. She doesn't score a ton but contributes in so many other ways on both ends of the floor. We loved her communication and the consistent effort.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Carly-Olson.jpg?w=872" alt="" class="wp-image-782909" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='736173' first='Carly' last='Olson'] – The 5'9 guard from Farmington earns her opportunities through straight-up desire and hard work. A team-first contributor, she fights for loose balls, hustles constantly and rebounds well for her size. At the Expo Carly showed that she isn't afraid to attack the basket. The [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] sophomore also demonstrated improvement in both her ball handling and 3-point shooting. Olson was a JV standout last year and made 16 varsity appearances. We'd look for her to take it up a notch in 2023-24.   PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to this report.

There's no question that Samantha Voll Samantha Voll 5'9" | CG Monticello | 2026 State MN was going to be a big piece of the puzzle for Team #6 at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. The #23-rated player in the Class of 2026 is a rising star in Minnesota basketball, and we were intrigued by what she was going to do Saturday in Hopkins, particularly in a backcourt tandem with Amaya Penn Amaya Penn 5'6" | PG St. Croix Lutheran | 2026 State MN . Unfortunately, Sam was home sick and had to bow out at the last minute. Nothing serious but her absence left the spotlight to others who made the most of their opportunity. Here's what we saw from Team #6.