PGH Minnesota Expo: All-Showcase Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's nothing quite like making a great first impression when you are trying to get noticed at a basketball showcase. That's exactly what we got from [player_tooltip player_id='1005212' first='Tamya' last='Dillard'] and <strong>LJ Maehl</strong> at the Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Expo in Bloomington on Sunday. Even better, both prospects carried their high level of play throughout the day and have now earned recognition as members of our Expo All-Showcase Team. Here are the top six performers and six more honorable mentions at the showcase for juniors and seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='589275' first='Sophia' last='Anderson'] <strong>– 2026 guard, Maple Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the first bounce of the ball on Sunday Anderson made it obvious that she had come to do business. The Maple Grove junior was nothing short of outstanding. Her abilities one-on-one are special, with excellent handles, crafty execution and just enough swagger to put defenders on their heels time and again. Sophia also showed off a new aspect to her game – a sweet mid-range jump shot. With her length and ability to elevate, the 5'11 guard was deadly. Her defensive intensity was top shelf, as well. We'll have more on Anderson in our evaluations of Expo Team 5. Suffice to say, Sophia is on her way to the top 50 in the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LJ Maehl – 2026 forward, Fort Dodge (Iowa)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took approximately 5 minutes of action in Sunday's 3 x 3 play for LJ to get noticed. At 6 feet tall, with tons of length and excellent mobility, she stood out immediately. Following the first session we chased down a little background information on Maehl and it was quickly apparent why she looked so good. LJ is ranked in the Top 50 in the Class of 2026 by Prep Girls Hoops Iowa and played this summer for All-Iowa Attack's EYCL squad. She came to the Minnesota Expo on Sunday because of a scheduling conflict with the Iowa Expo. Personally we're glad she did because Maehl delivered excellence on both sides of the ball and was a pleasure to watch. Tony Ragulen will have more on LJ in his analysis of Expo Team 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='478373' first='Chloe' last='Carlson'] <strong>– 2026 guard, Proctor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All players have their ups and downs. After all, it's impossible to be great all of the time. And then there's Carlson, who never seems to have a bad day. Honestly, every time we've watched her this year, whether that's in AAU play or showcases or practice, Chloe has been very good. Sunday was no exception. Recently named among our 10 best prospects in Northern Minnesota, the Top 25 junior is skilled, she's smart and she plays with a kind of energy that few players can match. Coming off an exceptional summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'], Carlson looks poised for a big winter with the Rails. Tony will have more on Chloe in his look at Expo Team 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='498662' first='Jadyn' last='Kor'] <strong>– 2026 guard, Pipestone</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big guards aren't easy to come by. Big guards who can flat out play are even rarer. Anyone who paid attention to Jadyn's games at the Expo can tell you that Kor is a player. The 5'10 junior, ranked #40 among Minnesota's 2026s, is just solid in all aspects of the game. She uses her strength and athleticism to effectively defend four of the five positions while doing all of the little things that college coaches crave. Offensively she knows how to execute, whether that's in a facilitation role or as a scorer. Recently named one our Top 10 prospects in Southern Minnesota, Kor has signed on to play for the [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] next spring. Tony will have more on Kor's big day in his detailed look at Expo Team 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1004253,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/Tamya-Dillard.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1004253" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1005212' first='Tamya' last='Dillard'] of Armstrong</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1005212' first='Tamya' last='Dillard'] <strong>– 2025 guard, Robbinsdale Armstrong</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As stated in our opening paragraph, Tamya was one of two athletes who made an immediate positive impression on Sunday at the Expo. Her outstanding athleticism, excellent footwork, and vocal presence on the floor was evident from the get-go. What's amazing is the fact that Dillard wasn't really on our radar until now. I hate it when we are late to the party on a talented player, but better late than never, I suppose. By day's end, it was obvious that the 6-footer's potential is high, her attitude is outstanding, and her stature in the Class of 2025 needs a makeover. We'll have more on Tamya in our in-depth look at Expo Team 5 and there's plenty of information to share.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='676690' first='Abby' last='Ruda'] <strong>– 2026 forward, Monticello</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the conclusion of the AAU season, Abby earned honorable mention status for AAU Breakout Player of the Year in her first season on [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite. When we last updated the 2026 rankings, she was among our top stock risers. On Sunday the 6'1 forward backed up those assessments with another strong performance. The evolution of Ruda's game has been fun to watch. The length and size is inherited; the development of college-level basketball skills is earned. Abby's shooting has improved. Her footwork has gotten better. Her ability to finish through contact is becoming more polished. This type of continuous improvement is exactly what we want to see from prospects. Tony will have more on Abby's performance on Sunday in his look at Expo Team 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1004164,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/Alaya-Carter3.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1004164" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='296514' first='Alaya' last='Carter'] of Prior Lake</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SECOND SIX</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502561' first='Marta' last='Forsline'] –2026 forward, Mesabi East</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502533' first='Jensyn' last='Storhoff'] – 2026 guard, Lanesboro</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='782560' first='Lauren' last='Grimm'] – 2026 guard, Watertown-Mayer</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502547' first='Hope' last='Stark'] – 2026 guard, Alexandria</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='296514' first='Alaya' last='Carter'] – 2025 guard, Prior Lake</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1005207' first='Myla' last='Evers'] – 2026 forward, Andover</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->