PGH Minnesota Expo: Team 1 standouts (part 1)

After back-to-back weekends of watching some of the best freshmen and sophomores in Minnesota strut their stuff at two Prep Girls Hoops showcase events, it was the juniors and seniors who had their turn in the spotlight this past Sunday. More than 75 prospects took to the floor at Jefferson High school in Bloomington. Tony Ragulen, Ally McGinnis and I are doing individual evaluations of the top performers on each of the eight teams this week. Here are the best of Team 1, part 1.    Abraham is a player who is willing to do whatever it takes to reach her goal of playing basketball at the next level. At the Expo, Leilani was doing everything from diving on loose balls to jumping over chairs in an attempt to secure her team an extra possession. Leilani is an extension of her coach when she's on the floor as she's constantly talking and encouraging her teammates. Offensively, Abraham can play on or off the ball effectively. She averaged nearly 12 points per game last winter at St. Anthony. Abraham can take you off the bounce, get to her mid-range, or bomb you from the arc. Defensively, she is as feisty as they come and plays the game with contagious passion and a chip on her shoulder. Abraham is a solid next-level prospect and a scholarship is not out of the question.     She shoots, she scores! That might be a play-by-play announcer's phrase that's more common in hockey than basketball but it most certainly applies to Henning's game on the hardwood. Kenna is a pure shooter who has unlimited range from three and impressive numbers at the free throw line. She can get to the rim, as well, and averaged over 15 points per game last season for Heritage Christian Academy in Plymouth. What we saw on Sunday was much-improved mobility on the court and more polished footwork since our last viewing, enhancements that will serve her well on both sides of the ball going forward. Henning has grown bigger and stronger, too. Kenna definitely raised her stock at the Expo.     The waterbug point guard from Coon Rapids and the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] can get around the floor with as much speed and quickness as anyone out there. She's athletic and bouncy and can flat out fly. I think ‘scrappy' is the adjective we like to use best when describing Green's approach to the game. She epitomizes the ‘hustle' player. On offense, Kaylin has the skills to move the ball and get to the basket, with quality handles and strong shooting. We love how she almost always has her eyes up in search of the right play at the right moment. Defensively, Kaylin has the tenacity of an angry dog and the willingness to fight for anything and everything. It never gets old watching this point guard work and Sunday was just as much fun as ever.     Ella's play was the subject of much conversation among the college coaches parked on the sidelines on Sunday. That's not surprising. Although she is an excellent high school and AAU competitor, Knutson's skill set and size is ideally suited to the way the game is played at the next level. She's big and strong and skilled. She plays with consistent energy and will take on any role or challenge assigned. Yes, she can score the basketball but it is her rebounding, defensive prowess and ability to guard all five positions that is so attractive for college coaches. Simply put, Knutson plays the right way, is as reliable as they come, and has the work ethic and intangibles that will translate well to the college game. We suspect her stock will rise substantially when the 2026 rankings are updated in October.     It's not easy to crack the lineup of a resurgent Eastview squad that won 20 games last season, but if there's one thing we know for certain about Olivia it's this: She wants it really badly and she's willing to put in the work to get there. Most of our viewing of Owusu's game has come in the summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713420' first='Minnesota' last='Diamond Elite']. What we've seen over time is consistent improvement and an expanded repertoire of assets. Her shooting has improved substantially. Her ball handling is much better, as well. What hasn't changed is her strong work ethic, willingness to take and make contact in traffic, and the endless quest to get better. Olivia has earned her way into the top 125 in the Prep Girls Hoops 2026 rankings and has plenty of room to grow.

After back-to-back weekends of watching some of the best freshmen and sophomores in Minnesota strut their stuff at two Prep Girls Hoops showcase events, it was the juniors and seniors who had their turn in the spotlight this past Sunday. More than 75 prospects took to the floor at Jefferson High school in Bloomington. Tony Ragulen, Ally McGinnis and I are doing individual evaluations of the top performers on each of the eight teams this week. Here are the best of Team 1, part 1.