PGH Freshman Showcase: The best of Team 8

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 individual players on a team-by-team basis. Here are the top performers from Team 8.    We've learned to have high expectations for Ari, and why shouldn't we. Simply put, Peterson is one of the top two or three prospects the Class of 2028, an immensely talented athlete who has rapidly developed a strong skill set at both ends of the floor. She's no stranger to the spotlight having already won two high school state championships and playing up for All Iowa Attack on the Nike EYBL circuit. In a free play setting like the Showcase, Ari is a ton of fun to watch. When you can fly up and down the court, soar up and over defenders, and play with a smile on your face, it's fun for all involved. We certainly enjoyed the show.     As we told you Sunday night in our look at 10 top performers at the Freshman Showcase, Dreah was our breakout player of the day. The 3x3 competition was a new addition to the event this year, giving players an opportunity to make a good first impression right out of the gate. Christianson wasted no time using sheer intensity and effort to impact the games. In full-court contests she has the ability to bomb threes from long distance, get by defenders from either side of the court, and finish with either hand. Christiansen isn't the fastest horse in the race, but she gets where she needs to be when she needs to be there. This is a prospect with plenty of upside.     There are opportunities for everyone at the Freshman Showcase but these events are perfect for prospects like Nadia. We had watched her a little this summer but on Sunday morning, facing some of Minnesota's top 9th graders, it quickly became obvious that Adedokun has the raw material to be a top 50 prospect. She's tall and long and athletic, with natural instincts, innate quickness and the type of explosiveness you simply can teach. Right now she's as green as grass. Having just turned 14, with very limited basketball experience, Nadia has a long way to go in skill development, but she showed the ability to do things most players cannot. We suspect there are big things ahead.     The lengthy 9th grader made our Prep Girls Hoops 2028 Watch List earlier this year and taking in two of her games on Sunday we were once again reminded why. Addler's length and athleticism are real weapons at both ends of the floor. Offensively, Tate has grown throughout the summer. She can score at every level, with a nice mid-range game and plenty of firepower beyond the arc, along with lengthy strides that enable her to glide past defenders. We love Tate's demeanor on the court as she is pretty calm, cool and collected most of the time. Addler will need to be patient in a deep Minnetonka program. It will be well worth the wait.     Tatum is no stranger by now. The crafty guard was recently named to the Prep Girls Hoops top 10 prospects in Northern Minnesota, a distinction she earned through good old-fashioned hard work and dedication to her craft. Morrison has a highly developed offensive game with creative ball handling ability and the athleticism and quickness to blow by defenders en route to the rim. Defensively she has the length, quickness and tenacity to make life miserable for opposing ball handlers, particularly on the perimeter where her quick feet, fast hands and excellent lateral movement are real assets.     Lanaia might be small but the Hopkins point guard packs a punch. Durant's got skills, she's got savvy, and she's got swagger. We love watching Lanaia do her thing. The stocky freshman is an exceptionally good ball handler who can undress defenders one-on-one and get to the rim. Her hesitation dribble is class, the crossover can be killer, and she frequently employs both to create just enough room to knock down smooth pull-up jump shots with high frequency. It can be tough to get college opportunities at just 5'1 but as the great Ronnie Porter is proving at Wisconsin, you can do it if you've got enough game.     Izzy has had plenty of exposure to big-time basketball, coming up in the MIB program which has State Tournament pedigree. Like most of the Rangers, Wiita can shoot the heck out of the basketball. She has a really qwick release and a nice high arc, which your physics teacher will tell you greatly increases the odds of the ball going through the cylinder. Izzy is also a wizard at forcing turnovers and grabbing steals. A finger or two on the ball and she's off to the races at the opposite end. Izzy was a rotation player last winter but with the graduation of Jordan Zubich, Hali Savela and Gabby Lira, Wiita is sure to get big minutes this time around.     Raynah was a complete unknown to us when the Showcase began on Sunday. By day's end it was clear she has the potential to play in college. Bawak has been competing at a tiny private school in Bloomington but is now at UCA, also tiny but with recent Class A State Tournament experience. She is an excellent athlete with a strong competitive streak who can get to the rim and score. She showed signs of being a nice lock-down defender, too. We're told Raynah is a gym rat with a strong desire to improve. That's a recipe for long-term success.     The big post from Roseville is an under-the-radar power forward who has the potential to be very good. She and her teammate [player_tooltip player_id='990285' first='Kiyanah' last='McGriff'] (who had an exceptionally good day at the Freshman Showcase) are next up for the Raiders in the paint. Peyton appeared in four varsity games last winter but figures to play a much bigger role this time around. She has a big body, is pretty aggressive and is a solid rebounder. She has nice touch around the rim and knows how to finish. It will be interesting to see where she is in a year or two.

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 individual players on a team-by-team basis. Here are the top performers from Team 8.