Previewing this weekend’s PGH Freshman Showcase

Grant McGinnis September 6, 2024 @ 09:29 AM

Over the course of the spring and summer we have been diligently scouting Minnesota's incoming freshmen and offering opinions on top prospects. This Sunday, the best of the best in the Class of 2028 will gather at Hopkins High School to show off their skills at the third annual Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase. More than 100 prospects will be on hand. Next month, many of them will find their names in the Freshman 50, the first ranking of the state's best college prospects currently in the 9^th grade.

The Freshman Showcase was born out of the popular PGH Top 250 Expos which had attracted large numbers across the country. The Top 250 is still a thing, of course – it will be held on Sept. 22 – and this year the sophomores get their own event on Sept. 15. Our focus this weekend, however, is on the 9^th graders.

Following an introductory talk and warmups, the event begins for real with an hour of 3 x 3 games. After that each prospect will play in two full-court 5 x 5 contests. Individuals have been separated into 12 teams. Players will receive relatively equal playing time. The teams are chosen by an algorithm – isn't everything these days? – which can make for some interesting player combinations.

We're certainly familiar with the majority of the 100+ player field (50 of them from outside of the Twin Cities region) but there are plenty of fresh faces who will seize the opportunity to get themselves on the recruiting radar under the watchful eye of Prep Girls Hoops scouts and college coaches. Like the two previous years, this year's Freshman Showcase has drawn a host of big names. Some 14 of the 20 prospects on the 2028 Watch List will be in attendance:

– Minnetonka

– Brainerd

– Rochester Mayo

– Minnehaha Academy

– Milaca

– Hopkins

– Duluth Marshall

– Andover

– Orono

– Lakeville South

– Minnetonka

Sarah Poepard – Mahtomedi

– Rosemount

– Lakeville North

Maggie Joyce Maggie Joyce 6'0" | CG/SF New Ulm | 2028 State MN of New Ulm had planned to play before being invited on a recruiting visit to UW-Milwaukee this weekend. Adele Changamire Adele Changamire 5'8" | CG Becker | 2028 State MN of Becker has been sidelined by injury.

Here are a dozen or so additional top performers and intriguing prospects who will be competing:

– Sauk Centre

– East Ridge

– Buffalo

– St. Michael-Albertville

– Chanhassen

– Edina

– Pipestone

– Wayzata

– Deer River

– Hillcrest Lutheran

– Champlin Park

– Lakeville North

– Little Falls

The Freshman Showcase begins at 9 a.m. Spectators are welcome and there is no charge to attend.

Click here for complete event information and a list of athletes who will be competing. While you're at it, check out the Minnesota Sophomore ID Camp on Sept. 15 and the Top 250 Expo on Sept. 22.