Sophomore ID Camp: Team 3 evaluations, part 1

The talent on display at the Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Sophomore ID Camp at Maple Grove Middle School was nothing short of impressive. The Class of 2028 is clearly raising the bar and continuing to push Minnesota girls' basketball to new heights.   Below, you'll find Part 1 of my evaluations of Team 3. Enjoy!    Towne demonstrated true toughness and grit during the ID Camo. After rolling her ankle early in the first game, I nearly thought she was finished for the day. However, she returned late in the second half, determined to make an impact – and she delivered. She kept her head on a swivel, finding streaking teammates for easy baskets and showing a nice touch from outside. Her ability to quickly switch from offense to defense in transition led to several steals, creating numerous scoring opportunities for her team. At the end of the showcase, I told her how impressive it was that she got back out there, and her response was, "I had no choice, I wanted to play." Enough said.     The lightning-fast guard from Stewartville, despite her smaller stature, made significant contributions throughout the day with her hustle and knack for maintaining possessions. Her above-average ball-handling allowed her to navigate pressure with ease, and her high basketball IQ was evident in the way she kept the ball moving seamlessly, preventing it from sticking in her hands. She constantly kept the defense on their toes with her quick plays, smart decisions, and relentless energy.       Mahik was a ball of relentless energy, constantly putting pressure on the defense throughout the showcase. She pushed the ball in transition, hustled to secure loose balls, and slipped through tight gaps to capitalize on defensive lapses – always keeping the game at a fast pace. On the defensive end, her activity was just as impactful, disrupting plays and creating extra opportunities for her team. Simply put, positive things seemed to happen every time she was on the floor.     I might be a little late to the Squires bandwagon, but better late than never! Among her many impressive qualities at the showcase – an event where defense often takes a back seat – was her willingness to rotate and stay engaged defensively. On offense, the 5'7 guard (pictured above) showed how fluid her ball handling is, using quick, long strides to get into the lane and finish with ease. She scored effortlessly from all three levels and always looked comfortable with the ball in her hands. Even when she wasn't scoring, iesha kept the floor spaced by moving intelligently off the ball. Beyond the stats, she was an overall great teammate – playing with a smile, communicating well, and keeping her team energized. With her skill set, mentality, and poise, she definitely has next-level potential.     The long guard out of Two Rivers has a natural feel for the game. Even when the ball wasn't in her hands, she stayed active, moving with purpose to create space for teammates and slipping into spots where the defense lost track of her. She didn't take many shots, but when she did, she made them count. Her shooting form was textbook – smooth, balanced, and clearly the product of countless reps.

The talent on display at the Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Sophomore ID Camp at Maple Grove Middle School was nothing short of impressive. The Class of 2028 is clearly raising the bar and continuing to push Minnesota girls' basketball to new heights.