PGH Minnesota Shootout: Tony's Fresh Faces

One of the best parts of being in the gym is finding new names that stick with you. This past weekend at the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit Minnesota Shootout at Shakopee High School, that's exactly what happened. Between the familiar faces and known talent, there was a strong group of players who made a lasting impression.   These are the players still building their name, still working their way into the conversation, but showing flashes that are hard to ignore. Whether it was effort, skill, or just how they carried themselves, they found ways to stand out in a competitive setting. Events like this matter. It gives players a stage, and for us, it's a chance to lock in on who's next.    It's not always about how you start, it's how you respond. Ward had a tough opening game at the Shootout. She competed and stayed active, but the shots just weren't falling. Game two told a different story. She came out aggressively and set the tone early, scoring 6 of her team's first 8 points by doing what she does best – getting downhill and attacking the rim. Once she found that rhythm, everything else started to follow. What stands out most is her work on the glass. She rebounds at a high level and doesn't waste time turning defense into offense, going coast to coast and putting pressure on the defense. You can tell she's putting in time on her game. With her size and motor, if she keeps building, she's a player that can carve out a real role.     Jones was as good as it gets on the ball at the Shootout. She set the tone right away with how hard she competed. Stayed low, moved her feet, and never gave up ground. Pound for pound, she held her own and then some. She was a hawk defensively, making everything uncomfortable and forcing players into tough spots. On the other end, she played within herself. Took good shots and made them at a strong clip. She pushed the pace when it was there and didn't force it when it wasn't. What stood out just as much was her voice: constant communication and always lifting up her teammates. That matters. Jones was fun to watch, and as the summer goes on, she's only going to keep getting better.     It's in her blood. Lamairah's oldest sister is headed to D1 Grand Canyon University this fall, and her other sister – just a year ahead of her – has already been in the varsity rotation the past couple of seasons. She's coming in with something to prove and making it clear that she's next. The point guard out of Minnetonka has clearly been studying her older sisters, showing a polished blend of both their games. She's a lockdown defender, a smooth ball handler, and can absolutely shoot the lights out. During the Shootout, she more than held her own while playing up a couple of levels. The physicality didn't faze her, and neither did the pace or the bright lights. It's still early in the season, but she looks more than ready for what's ahead.     Donner finds ways to impact the game without needing the ball in her hands every trip. She's active, plays with purpose, and keeps possessions alive with how hard she crashes the glass. Those extra efforts matter, and she brings that consistently. From the high post, she plays under control and doesn't try to do too much. She sees the floor well and helps direct traffic, almost like a quarterback, getting teammates where they need to be on both ends. Around the basket, she gives Diamond Elite a real option. She's in the right spots and makes herself available. The next step is finishing stronger through contact. As she cleans that up, her production is only going to rise because she's already doing a lot of the little things that helps her team compete at a high level.     Elliott's athleticism jumps out right away, and it starts with that first step. I walked in as she got loose in transition, and the play she made brought real energy into the gym. It wasn't just a finish – it was the kind that gets people on their feet without hesitation. She's listed around 5'8”, but she doesn't play like it. With her length and what looks like a plus wingspan, she impacts the game well beyond her size. She stays composed, doesn't rush, and carries herself like someone locked in on the task. Playing at Big Lake can limit exposure, but that shouldn't last long. What she showed at the Shootout tells me there's more coming, and we'll be watching closely.     Udeani (pictured above) has that “it” factor you can't teach. Everything she does looks controlled and smooth, almost like the game slows down for her. At around 5'9”, she affects the game in a lot of ways without forcing anything. She lived in the paint all day. Getting downhill, finishing through contact, around length, over the top – it didn't matter. She found a way. And when defenders backed off, she made them pay with a confident jumper. What really stood out was how she carried that impact to the defensive end. Using her size to contest and block shots, then turning right around to secure the rebound and push the break herself. That's a tough sequence to deal with. Eden Prairie has a good one. She's going to be a problem for a long time.

One of the best parts of being in the gym is finding new names that stick with you. This past weekend at the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit Minnesota Shootout at Shakopee High School, that's exactly what happened. Between the familiar faces and known talent, there was a strong group of players who made a lasting impression.