PGH Top 250 Expo Team Four Breakdown (Part 2)

Brady Peterson October 4, 2024 @ 09:22 AM

We should wrap these up over the weekend, but we're looking at Team Four from the PGH Top 250 Expo. I thought this team played better as a unit than expected when I first saw this team, but let's talk about them.   [player_tooltip player_id='1039244' first='Kiera' last='Place']   I was impressed by the defensive versatility in Place's game. The 5'11 wing does most of her work on the offensive end around the basket, but on the other end of the floor, Place is a Swiss army knife. I was impressed by how well she moved laterally on the perimeter, which makes me believe she could be a premier perimeter defender in the Big Eight for Sun Prairie East this season and possess the physical tools to defend some of the talented wings and posts in that conference. Place may not be a name that comes up when people discuss the Big Eight, but I think opposing coaches will respect what she does.   Loyalti Wilkerson-Sanchez   Whenever you see an undersized guard, you have preconceived notions about what they do. However, I was blown away by how she played on Sunday. The Case guard was as quick as anyone and had the toughness to power through contact around the basket. Wilkerson-Sanchez also had one of the best motors of anyone at the event and generated extra possessions on more than a few occasions. She also shot the ball when I watched her play in the 5v5 portion of the event. Racine Case has a chance to make some noise these next few seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='1039236' first='Delaney' last='Rauch']   The Port Washington wing has all the length you could ask for in a three or four. Rauch has been at her best on the perimeter and shooting off the catch, but I thought she looked more well-rounded in Appleton. She showed some touch around the basket and did a solid job using her length to finish over the top of her defenders. We know she can knock down perimeter jumpers regularly enough, but being a kid who can play more physically can open up another aspect of her game in the North Shore and double down on how Port Washington will likely play the next few seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='1039233' first='Cali' last='Tagliapietra']   We've come to know Grafton over the past few seasons, but due to kids like Tagliapietra, that's about to change. The Blackhawks boast hard-nosed guards with high motors, and Tagliapietra highlights that group. The 5'7 guard has as much length as you can ask for, and she'll be a defensive disruptor for Grafton this season. We'll see how she plays on the offensive end of the floor, but her defense will set a tone for the Blackhawks in 2024-25.

We should wrap these up over the weekend, but we're looking at Team Four from the PGH Top 250 Expo. I thought this team played better as a unit than expected when I first saw this team, but let's talk about them.