18 Early Standouts #PGHExpoDAKS

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">The Expo went down today (10/12/24) at the Avera Sports Center in Sioux Falls, SD. It was a wonderful day of basketball with a ton of talented ballers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event started with 3on3 games and then moved into the 5on5 portion of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">This article focuses on the eye-catchers and standouts from the 3on3 games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the 3on3 portion, four games were going on at the same time. I tried watching two games at once. Obviously, I missed possessions and plenty of top talent from the other courts. However, I still caught a ton of impressive play. See below for thoughts and observations from the early part of the Expo, we have notes on 18 ballers who caught my eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"11px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:11px"><strong><em>USE CODE “herrick30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1047623,"width":"239px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/image_f56d10.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1047623" style="width:239px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>Early Standouts - Player Notes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#57 [player_tooltip player_id='616252' first='Amari' last='Ward'] (2026) 5'5 Sioux Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Many points via slash-n-score, active driver, physical/strong player, does not shy away from contact, nice 1st step, covers a good amount of ground</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showcased a sweet lefty scoop-shot, showed her finishing ability w/ a powerful score yet soft-touch, AND1 finisher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#872 [player_tooltip player_id='421710' first='Bree' last='Umbreit'] (2026) 6'2 Sioux Falls Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Very long &amp; lanky, posted up &amp; scored, shared the ball, willing passer from the block, I always enjoy watching a post who shares the rock</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked like a vacuum rebounder, altered shots, put it on the floor &amp; finished at the hoop, looks to be capable from 3-point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#855 [player_tooltip player_id='935886' first='Ellie' last='Meyer'] (2028) 6'0 O'Gorman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I like the looks of her game, lanky player, appears to be a natural on hardwood, impressive &amp; efficient finisher, mobile baller, an active cutter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#50 [player_tooltip player_id='488329' first='Finley' last='Love'] (2026) 5'5 Rapid City Stevens</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught my eye with a sick crossover to beat the primary defender &amp; get to the rim, scored with a sweet left-handed kiss off the glass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressive AND1 bucket, awesome quickness &amp; coordination, rebounded well for 5'5 with O-rebounds, nose for the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#854 [player_tooltip player_id='884038' first='Gracie' last='Salter'] (2026) 5'11 Brandon Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressive length, good hands, multiple steals, poke-out steal, had a couple of nice assists, impressed with her feet when in the paint</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Used pivots &amp; spin moves to create space, looks to be a willing passer &amp; she found shooters</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#575 [player_tooltip player_id='929574' first='Hayden' last='Weber'] (2028) 5'8 O'Gorman </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-She sank several triples, I like her confidence &amp; the edge she plays with, sank another 3 with the perfect shooters-touch-roll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-However, she is not just a shooter, she shared the ball &amp; set up others for good looks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#989 [player_tooltip player_id='391247' first='Keyra' last='Kruse'] (2025) 6'0 Sioux Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressive size/length, posted up/sealed low/kept D low, AND1 bucket she finished through the contact, likes going L-shoulder, slashed for a score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#52 [player_tooltip player_id='517111' first='Laney' last='Will'] (2026) 5'5 Surrey</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught my attention with a quick trigger &amp; perfect feet while hitting a triple, next she produced with cut-n-score, looks like a sneaky &amp; smart player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#76 [player_tooltip player_id='929565' first='Lauren' last='Minion'] (2028) 5'6 Brandon Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Knocked down a few perimeter shots when I first saw her play, hit 3-pointers, then she scored at the cup, confident shooter with a soft shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#850 Layla Berte (2028) 5'10 Sioux Falls Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught my eye with her athleticism, created numerous steals &amp; turnovers, appears to be a slasher, got to the rim often &amp; drew fouls</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I like how she changed speeds when attacking, seemed to always be in attack mode which got her to the basket, also blocked a shot on D</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#733 [player_tooltip player_id='377639' first='Lennix' last='Dupris'] (2025) |5'6 G| Pierre</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-As quick as a cat, southpaw sensational shooter, drilled multiple triples, smooth &amp; flawless stroke, lets it fly with great feet, forced multiple TO's on D</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#993 Lezlei Setzer (2028) 6'2 Sioux Falls Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great length for only a 9th grader, you would like her size if she was a frosh in college, looked good grabbing O-boards, drew multiple fouls on O</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with her drop-step move, used both hands around the rim nicely, used a hesi-move for a slash-n-score, showed an impressive spin-move</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Noteworthy AND1 bucket, used her long arms to finish over the defender </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#78 [player_tooltip player_id='894053' first='Logan' last='Durnil'] (2027) 5'7 Harrisburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Nice-looking shot, made an awe-inspiring stepback 3, showed a sweet spin-move, shared &amp; found open teammates, hit a 3 off a DHO, sank more 3's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9 [player_tooltip player_id='956245' first='Micah' last='Fleck'] (2026) 5'6 Williston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught my attention with her skill &amp; athleticism, great feel for the game, always in control, moves well/has a presence on the floor, tight handles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sweet slash-n-score AND1 bucket, cashed in many 3's, lefty shooter, crisp &amp; accurate 1-handed passes, impressive 1st showing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#390 [player_tooltip player_id='1047686' first='Paityn' last='Knoke'] (2027) 5'8 Fargo North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-First caught my eye with extra hustle &amp; energy, grabbed an O-board around the hoop put it back with a nifty reverse layup, another O-board putback</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Got to the rim via the bounce, has a diverse finishing package, another slash-n-score w/ impressive body control/timing, appears to be a timely player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#357 [player_tooltip player_id='1000498' first='Suri' last='Gourd'] (2028) 5'8 Four Winds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Wow, hard to believe she is a frosh, easily one of the best ballers at the event, perfect shooting mechanics, has deep deep range, hit a handful of 3's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-She is beyond skilled, posted up &amp; finished with shot-fake &amp; score, showcased an impressive left-handed finish, smooth athlete, high hoops IQ</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 [player_tooltip player_id='525676' first='Taziah' last='Hawkins'] (2026) 5'6 Ethan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Real-deal shooter, knocked down multiple three-pointers, she was hot from the top of the key, really impressive pull-up 3 with a silky-smooth shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Clever about using shotfakes to get D out of position &amp; then slashing, quick 1st step, multiple assists (found shooters), anticipated well on D for steals </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#651 [player_tooltip player_id='935883' first='Teagen' last='Sturm'] (2028) 5'10 Lennox</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shot it well, easily to see that she is a talented scorer, her skills also stuck out, sharp 1-handed passes, nice court vision, hustled on both sides</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1047624,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/image_b6e890.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1047624" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->