NE Top 250-Expo: Team 5 Evaluations

The PGH Nebraska Top 250-Expo brought together some of the best athletes in the state to come compete under one roof in Bellevue, Nebraska on Sunday. There were 45+ players, split up into 5 teams, that went out and gave it everything they had competing in 3-4 contests throughout the day . Below I am going to give my evaluation of each player on Team 5 and how they look going into the high school season.   *Players listed as: (Jersey #, Name, Class, Size, College Position, Current High School) – For rewatching purposes on BallerTV.    Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   #162 - [player_tooltip player_id='777561' first='Jayah' last='Freeman'] - 2027 - 5'5 - SG - Omaha Westside High School   The offensive skill set that [player_tooltip player_id='777561' first='Jayah' last='Freeman'] has is impressive. She is a guard that knows what she is doing with the basketball in her hands and doesn't take no for an answer. If the player defending her, somehow can cut her off, Freeman can usually pivot around her to a finish or shoot over an extended hand. On several occasions, Freeman was lighting it up from downtown, over defenders that contested WELL at this Expo. I'm excited to see what she can do on high school floor this winter at Westside. I'm not sure of their current roster situations but I'm sure once Freeman see's the floor, it'll be tough to take her off.   #166 - [player_tooltip player_id='502342' first='Zaria' last='Townsend'] - 2026 - 5'8 - SF/PF - Buena Vista High School   [player_tooltip player_id='502342' first='Zaria' last='Townsend'] displayed a bunch of reasons as to why she stands out during her high school season. She is a player that has some above average size and understanding of the game for her age. There isn't a moment when Townsend isn't speaking to the teammates around her, trying to make the most out of every possession. She displayed balanced footwork and some aggression while asking for the ball offensively, most of the time, leading to some success on the boards and in the scoring column. I'm hoping Townsend can build on her sensational Freshman season at Buena Vista. From everything I witnessed at this Expo, there is a lot of positives that she can bring to the team around her.   #169 - [player_tooltip player_id='777559' first='Haydin' last='Jackson'] - 2027 - 5'8 - SG - Bennington High School   There is no doubt that [player_tooltip player_id='777559' first='Haydin' last='Jackson'] wants too and CAN shoot the basketball. On every offensive possession, Jackson sets her feet outside the three point line looking for an open view at the rim. If she has a defender over-play her, she will either put the ball on the floor for a quick step back move or she will get to another spot on the court that she is comfortable shooting from. Defensively, I would say that Jackson can guard her position pretty well. She stays in front of most other guards and doesn't give up too much space in transition. All leading to some success throughout a contest. Jackson showed that she was one of the better guards in the gym at this event and I hope she can ride that momentum into this high school season this winter.   #170 - [player_tooltip player_id='771658' first='Braylee' last='Vasa'] - 2027 - 5'10 - CG - Norris High School   [player_tooltip player_id='771658' first='Braylee' last='Vasa'] wasn't a player I saw too much of before this event but someone I will be keep my eye on moving forward because of the number of ways that she stood out throughout the day. Vasa has lengthy arms and a uniformed shooting stroke. She is a player that isn't afraid of contact, always wanting to go to the line and earn her points the hard way. Whenever she catches on the perimeter her feet are evenly balanced and she has her hands ready for any opportunity that might come her way. Defensively, she has reach on most guards that step up to her it seems like. I only had a small sample size on the day but I would assume that she gets a good amount of steals because of this skill. Vasa will be at Norris this winter for her Freshman season of high school ball. She has a base to build on, she just needs to stay locked in moving forward and she will have a successful high school career, at the very least.   #195 - [player_tooltip player_id='777563' first='Joyce' last='Johnson'] - 2027 - 5'5 - SG/PG - Lincoln North Star High School   Lincoln North Star High School is looking to put together a successful season this winter because of the roster that they will have put together. They will bring back a good amount of their players from last season, while adding some young talent at the Underclassman level. One of those players being [player_tooltip player_id='777563' first='Joyce' last='Johnson']. Johnson stands at around 5'5 and brings positive energy, mixed with some skill to the floor. She understands the game from a strategic stand point and does a good job of vocalizing anything happening around her on the court. If you add Johnson, some of their younger players in her class, plus their returners from last season, this group could make a run once playoff times comes around but we will see.   #207 - [player_tooltip player_id='757576' first='Stella' last='Williams'] - 2026 - 5'9 - SG - Westview High School   A player that has a sound game, with some promise looking toward her future is [player_tooltip player_id='757576' first='Stella' last='Williams']. I always use the term, "they won't tell you with flash but with consistency and efficiency." That is exactly what Williams does. She takes the space that her opponent gives her and makes something out of it on both sides of the floor. This winter, the Westview High School team could put together a run come playoff time if they are properly prepared. They have skilled players on their roster who know what they are capable of. Now they just have to go out and show everyone else!   #209 - [player_tooltip player_id='777584' first='Kennedy' last='Johnson'] - 2025 - 5'10 - SF/CG - Lincoln High School   Maybe it was just this event but [player_tooltip player_id='777584' first='Kennedy' last='Johnson'] seemed to always be in the right place at the right time for her team at the Top 250-Expo. Johnson plays a Forward position and at this event, she killed it. Johnson was doing EVERYTHING. She displayed her ability to dominate in the paint against all different types of defenders, she passed out of the post efficiently whenever a help defender would try to stick their hand in the post, and she showed off her high motor while rebounding on almost every possession. There weren't many other players in the gym last Sunday that had a better day than KJ, that's for sure.   #230 - [player_tooltip player_id='777564' first='Kalyn' last='Bailey'] - 2027 - 5'10 - SF - Westview High School   [player_tooltip player_id='777564' first='Kalyn' last='Bailey'] showed off her ability to play either inside the paint near the hoop or she can move outside to the perimeter, spreading the floor out for her teammates. Bailey stands at 5'10 with some muscle to match that height. She works hard early in possessions, coming down the floor and beating her opponents to their spots. If someone tends to have a good advantage of size on Bailey, she just steps out with the ability to knock down a shoot or two from behind the three point line. I think that Westview is getting a good class with the 2027 players coming in and Bailey is a big part of that but we will just have to wait and see what happens moving forward.

The PGH Nebraska Top 250-Expo brought together some of the best athletes in the state to come compete under one roof in Bellevue, Nebraska on Sunday. There were 45+ players, split up into 5 teams, that went out and gave it everything they had competing in 3-4 contests throughout the day . Below I am going to give my evaluation of each player on Team 5 and how they look going into the high school season.