PGH Minnesota Expo: Team 1 evaluations, part 1

The Prep Girls Hoops showcase season in Minnesota wrapped up on Sunday in Maple Grove with the PGH Expo. A variety of intriguing 2026 and 2027 (plus a couple of 2029) prospects were on hand and we're doing evaluations on all six teams. This is part 1 of our Team 1 evaluations.    McCormick impressed with her two-way impact at the Expo. After an early baseline jumper, she settled in and became a factor everywhere, using quickness and length to defend and create turnovers. She generated a midcourt steal and set up [player_tooltip player_id='764182' first='Ava' last='Litecky'] with a pinpoint assist that showcased her vision and pace. McCormick is quick laterally and was quite disruptive as an on-ball defender who could harass even the quickest of opponents without fouling. Ellie spent the day flying up and down the floor and affecting the game on both ends with energy and confidence.     Litecky delivered arguably the day's best performance on Sunday, dominating the Expo from start to finish. Ranked in the top 30 in the class of 2027, Ava has climbed steadily in status over the past 18 months. She continues to generate Division 2 offers while flashing Division I potential. A silky wing with length, Ava handles the ball with confidence, shoots it a high level, and scores in multiple ways. Litecky's steady growth has been evident at every checkpoint, and Sunday was another step forward as she looked smooth, polished, and in control of the game.     Erickson made a standout first impression with energy and production. She averaged 14 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists last winter at New Life in Woodbury while recording 64 steals. At the Expo she grabbed an early steal, sprinted the floor, and hit a sweet turnaround jumper that made me sit up in my seat and pay closer attention. Long and athletic with nice elevation, Ciri attacked consistently and fought to win the ball back after she made an error. Ciri is a risk-reward player for sure. Once her game matures, and she gains more experience against high-level players, there's no telling how good she can be.     Injuries are a part of the game, of course, but when a player turns an ankle in what was likely the last showcase of her high school career, that's tough. Unfortunately that's what happened to Gillette on Sunday. It's not as if we weren't well aware of just how much Betsy is capable of already. She impressed on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit in a big way and has firmly established herself as a solid varsity performer, averaging 10.1 points per game last season for the Hayfield-Schaeffer Academy co-op. A big guard with size, strength, and speed, she's crafty off the dribble, finishes efficiently, and makes the right play under pressure. Sunday was a minor setback; the long view is nice.     Added to the Prep Girls Hoops 2027 prospect rankings in June, McMillen is a versatile 6-foot forward whose length and energy stand out from the crowd. That was certainly the case on Sunday. She averaged 8.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists last season at Minneapolis Southwest while stretching defenses with her ability to hit threes. At the Expo she ran the floor well, defended multiple positions, and worked hard for rebounds. With nonstop effort and improving skills, McMillen's activity around the ball makes her a consistent impact player. The next step for Elise is to become more physical, an enhancement that will elevate her game from good to great.

The Prep Girls Hoops showcase season in Minnesota wrapped up on Sunday in Maple Grove with the PGH Expo. A variety of intriguing 2026 and 2027 (plus a couple of 2029) prospects were on hand and we're doing evaluations on all six teams. This is part 1 of our Team 1 evaluations.