PGH EXPO RECAP: Team 2 Showed Balance, Grit and Skill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team 2 brought a perfect blend of power, poise, and potential to the PGH Expo — a group that turned heads from the opening tip to the final whistle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207449' first='Naomi' last='Wise']</strong> set the tone early with her physicality and two-way dominance, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1304719' first='Mya' last='Richardson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258962' first='Rylee' last='Smith']</strong> controlled pace and tempo with next-level confidence at the point. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1318886' first='Samiya' last='Ballard']</strong> was a force in transition, using her athleticism and nonstop motor to create energy plays, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='652254' first='Ryan' last='Bardenwerper']</strong> added polish with her smooth scoring touch and elite shooting mechanics. Rising talents like <strong>Emoni Turkvant</strong> and <strong>Anne Rylea Thurman</strong> rounded out the squad with creativity and precision, each showing flashes of future stardom. From high-level execution to infectious energy, Team 2 proved they weren't just playing for exposure — they were playing to make a statement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207449"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ec143a0a66e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207449' first='Naomi' last='Wise'] 5'10 Forward Fort Payne 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1207449' first='Naomi' last='Wise'] is a powerful and versatile forward who brings intensity, leadership, and production every time she steps on the floor. Built in the mold of a true two-way player, Wise dominates with her strength, athleticism, and relentless motor. She's a tough matchup — quick enough to attack off the dribble, strong enough to finish through contact, and skilled enough to create offense from multiple spots on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What makes Wise stand out this season is her improved jump shot. Once known primarily for her interior scoring and transition play, she's now knocking down mid-range shots and even stretching her range to the perimeter with confidence. That growth has made her an even tougher cover, forcing defenders to respect her outside touch while still having to deal with her power inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1304719"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ec143a0a70e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1304719' first='Mya' last='Richardson'] 5'5 Point Guard Wetumpka 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1304719' first='Mya' last='Richardson']</strong> continues to add to the growing list of impressive Class of 2029 prospects in Alabama. A true gym rat, she can always be found putting in extra work and sharpening her craft. Richardson is a playmaking point guard who can create her own shot at any moment, using her handle and court vision to keep defenses guessing. What makes her special, though, is her balance — she's not only a scorer but also a willing and intelligent passer, consistently making the right reads and setting up teammates for easy buckets. A true three-level scorer and floor general, [player_tooltip player_id='1304719' first='Mya' last='Richardson'] plays with poise, confidence, and a competitive fire that makes her one of the rising young guards to watch in Alabama's 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318886"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ec143a0a794"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1318886' first='Samiya' last='Ballard'] 5'8 Forward Ezekiel Academy 2029&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1318886' first='Samiya' last='Ballard']</strong> is an explosive forward with a rare blend of athleticism, energy, and skill that makes her a matchup problem on both ends of the floor. She plays with a nonstop motor — sprinting the floor in transition, attacking the glass, and finishing with power around the rim. Ballard's length and quickness allow her to play bigger than her size, while her mobility makes her dangerous facing up or attacking off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What really stands out is her ability to impact the game in multiple ways. She's an active rebounder who creates second-chance opportunities, a strong interior finisher who can also step out and hit the mid-range jumper, and a defender who can switch across positions. Her speed and agility in transition mirror that of elite modern forwards, and she thrives in up-tempo systems that reward her hustle and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1258962"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ec143a0a817"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258962' first='Rylee' last='Smith'] 5'5 Point Guard Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258962' first='Rylee' last='Smith']</strong> is a dynamic lead guard who plays with poise, confidence, and toughness well beyond her years. She's the kind of floor general who can completely control the pace of a game — knowing when to push in transition, when to slow things down, and when to take over herself. Smith's handle is tight and confident, allowing her to navigate through pressure and create off the bounce with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Offensively, she's a three-level scorer who can hurt defenses in multiple ways. She knocks down shots from deep, attacks the paint with a quick first step, and has the strength to finish through contact. What really separates her, though, is her court vision and decision-making — she consistently finds open teammates and makes the right reads in pick-and-roll situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["652254"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ec143a0a899"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='652254' first='Ryan' last='Bardenwerper'] 6'0 Forward Northridge 2026</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trevecca Nazarene Committ&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>R<strong>yan Bardenwerper</strong> is a smooth and skilled wing who makes the game look effortless. Known for her pure shooting stroke and calm on-court demeanor, she has the kind of scoring ability that can change a game in a matter of minutes. Bardenwerper is a consistent perimeter threat, knocking down shots from deep with confidence, but she's far from one-dimensional — she can put the ball on the floor, attack closeouts, and finish with touch around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her basketball IQ and spacing instincts make her a perfect fit in any offensive system. She knows how to move without the ball, find open windows, and make herself available for scoring opportunities. Defensively, Ryan brings effort and focus, using her length and awareness to contest shots and stay in position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1273501"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ec143a0a91a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Emoni Turkvant 5'7 Forward Harvest Christian Academy (GA) 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Emoni</strong> excels in an uptempo system, where her ability to attack in transition and create downhill pressure consistently generates scoring opportunities for herself and others. She's an aggressive slasher who finishes well through contact and thrives on momentum plays. Defensively, she's shown a willingness to compete and take pride on that end, though she's currently more comfortable guarding forwards than quicker, smaller guards. Emoni also rebounds well in her area, showing good instincts and effort on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1039126"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ec143a0a99b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Anne Rylea Thurman 5'8 Guard Brookhaven Academy</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Anne</strong> projects as a high-level perimeter threat with elite shooting ability both on and off the ball. Her range comfortably extends beyond the arc, forcing defenses to locate her as soon as she crosses half court. She's a confident, skilled passer with the vision and touch to deliver with either hand — a rare level of ambidexterity for a guard her age. Anne demonstrates excellent feel in ball-screen actions, consistently making the correct reads and punishing defenders who go under with her advanced shooting touch. Her off-ball movement through staggered and down screens is highly developed, allowing her to create separation efficiently and maintain spacing within an offense. Defensively, she shows sharp anticipation in passing lanes and a strong sense of positioning. With her blend of IQ, versatility, and floor-spacing ability, Anne profiles as an impact guard capable of thriving in multiple offensive systems at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the action wrapped, there was no denying that Team 2 left a lasting impression. They played with balance, chemistry, and confidence well beyond their years — a group where every player brought something unique yet equally impactful. Wise's leadership, Richardson's poise, Smith's command, and Ballard's intensity fueled the team's identity, while Bardenwerper, Turkvant, and Thurman showcased the depth and shooting that made this group so dangerous. It was the perfect mix of veterans and rising prospects — a team built on effort, trust, and talent. If the PGH Expo was any indication, Team 2 isn't just a group of standout individuals — they're a preview of the next wave of Alabama and regional basketball excellence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->