PGH Freshman Showcase: The best of Team 4

More than 100 prospects put their skills on display Sunday at the third annual Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Freshman Showcase. The talented field at Hopkins High School was divided into 12 teams chosen at random by the super-secret (but less than perfect) PGH algorithm. The squads weren't exactly even, but our focus was on the individual performances rather than game outcomes or team play. We're analyzing players on a team-by-team basis. Here are the top performers from Team 4.    The Stars DeSart guard kicked things into high gear on Sunday, playing with an immense level of energy and intensity all day long. Jenkins was a nightmare for those who had to guard her as she was constantly moving on offense and was a scoring threat at every level. Jenkins was efficient in her scoring both inside the paint and all the way out past the three-point line where she showcased her quick catch-and-shoot abilities. Zaida brought a ton of effort on the defensive end, too. She made disruptive plays on and off the ball and was not afraid to get on the floor and fight for a loose ball.     As one of the premier point guards in the class of 2028, we have become extensively familiar with Soash's game. In short, Brooke is a relentless, high-motor player who makes her living off of her court vision and passing, high pressure defense, speed, and tenacity. One of the highlights of the day was watching her cherry pick the ball from an opponent, go end to end, and finish with a spin move into the lane, followed by a silky smooth pull-up jumper. It was a thing of beauty. Brooke had an outstanding AAU season with the Fury that featured a state championship and a spot on our all-tournament first team.     Over the course of the past six-ish months, we have reported the outstanding play of the Comets Boone guard ad nauseam. Sunday was more of the same. She played with an extraordinarily high motor and seemed to impact every play on both ends on the floor. Her ability to thread the needle was on full display. It was a treat to watch the 5'8 guard showcase her skills both with and against some of the best players in her class. This showcase can be a great measuring stick for players trying to crack the Freshman 50 rankings. It's safe to say Annabelle passed the test with flying colors.     The 5'6 Comets guard contributed in both big and small ways on Sunday. It's easy to notice a player who scores all the points, but the athlete who spreads the floor, makes good cuts, sets screens, and shares the ball is just as important. Cianna did all of those things and more. Her understanding of the game showed in both her passing and court vision, as well as her play on the defensive end. Thomas uses her quick hands and knowledge of angles to create disruption in the passing lanes and force her opponent into mistakes. After a solid summer with the Comets, Thomas has a chance to make an impact on varsity.     The Farmington forward illustrated an array of skills at Sunday's Freshman Showcase. Steffen showed off her strong passing abilities on the perimeter and knocked down several shots from beyond the three-point line. Standing at 5-foot-8, with a decent amount of length and a strong frame, Avery gets the job done on the boards, as well. While Avery's skillset is still quite green, and will take some time to develop, the makings of a college prospect are there as long as she puts in the work. After spending the AAU season with [program_tooltip program_id='712362' first='Legacy' last='Hoops'], Steffen could be ready for some varsity time this winter.     We saw the Rochester Lourdes guard play with [program_tooltip program_id='774605' first='Southern' last='MN Fury'] a handful of times this summer and Sunday gave us an extended glimpse into her game. Standing at 5-foot-6, Beatty has good length for her size and an athletic frame. She's very quick when sprinting in the open court and her defense created several transition opportunities for her team where she did not hesitate to share the basketball. In the half court, Hazel likes to attack the rim and has no fear when doing so. She has no issue handling the contact that often comes in the paint. While she did rack up several fouls on the defensive end, we were impressed with the hustle and tenacity that she displayed all day long.    PGH scout Ally McGinnis wrote these evaluations.

More than 100 prospects put their skills on display Sunday at the third annual Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Freshman Showcase. The talented field at Hopkins High School was divided into 12 teams chosen at random by the super-secret (but less than perfect) PGH algorithm. The squads weren't exactly even, but our focus was on the individual performances rather than game outcomes or team play. We're analyzing players on a team-by-team basis. Here are the top performers from Team 4.