PGH Sophomore ID Camp: Team 9 evaluations

Team 9 at the Prep Girls Hoops Sophomore ID Camp featured a group of prospects who made it clear that development doesn't stop between events. Several familiar faces displayed tremendous growth since the last time we saw them, while others used Sunday's showcase in Maple Grove to make a strong first impression. From improved confidence to more polished and complete games, this group gave us plenty to discuss.      I've watched Tossou for the past couple of years, and she has always been a tough, physical defender who didn't look to do much on the offensive end. That has changed. The chiseled 5-foot-8 guard from Park Center has clearly been putting in the work to become a formidable two-way player. The lefty has added a lethal hesitation crossover to her off hand that was virtually unstoppable at the Sophomore ID Camp. Coupled with her strength and toughness around the rim, it makes her a prospect firmly on the rise. Her outside shot remains a work in progress, but the confidence she showed in taking it was impressive. Considering the rate at which her game has grown, I have no doubt she'll continue putting in the work. Once that jumper catches up with the rest of her game, look out.     Perry's basketball IQ and court vision were things of beauty at the Sophomore ID Camp. Her ability to put just the right amount of touch on her passes was especially impressive. When she wasn't dropping dimes, she used her defense to create scoring opportunities. While others began wearing down toward the end of the day, Perry was just ramping up, hounding ball handlers up and down the court, picking their pockets and turning those steals into easy buckets. Her constant activity and willingness to share the ball may be understated parts of her game, but they are exactly what make her such a valuable player.     Another player who found multiple ways to make an impression was Apple Valley forward [player_tooltip player_id='1222578' first='Avery' last='Gibson']. At 5-foot-10, she used her length and activity to disrupt opponents and create opportunities for her team to get out and run. That type of effort keeps a player on the court and makes teammates want to play alongside her because they know they can count on her to consistently bring energy. Gibson was extremely unselfish during the 5-on-5 portion, and it appeared that was simply how she chose to approach the day. During 3v3 play, however, she was much more aggressive and showed she could create offense when needed. That contrast leads me to believe she isn't limited offensively – she's simply the ultimate team player, willing to provide whatever the game calls for.     Englund didn't wait for opportunities to come her way – she went out and created her own. Kylie made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor at the Sophomore ID Camp. Whether she was knocking down mid-range jumpers, securing rebounds and firing outlet passes for layups, blocking shots in transition or connecting from beyond the arc, Englund was constantly involved. She moves fluidly around the court and always appears to be playing with purpose. With her size and ability to produce both inside and out, she presents matchup problems all over the floor. Wayzata was well represented on Sunday, and that should be a scary thought for everyone else. Englund is another next-level prospect whose ceiling has yet to be defined.     What isn't there to like about Roberson's progression? I covered her during the AAU season, when much of the focus was on her nonstop motor and willingness to handle all the dirty work. Fast-forward a few months, and it's clear she has been putting in the work to bring her offensive game up to the level of the other intangibles she brings to the table. At the Sophomore ID Camp, Roberson repeatedly put the ball on the deck and used her strength to bully her way to the basket. We joked about her jumper being a little off, but I encouraged her to keep shooting it because repetition is the only way it will improve. Her confidence is growing, her offensive game is expanding and everything is beginning to come together for this next-level prospect. Enjoy the ride!     Bratton was a very pleasant surprise, as I hadn't had the opportunity to watch her in action before Sunday's Sophomore ID Camp. The lefty initially caught my attention with her ability to play off two feet in the lane, a skill that has become somewhat of a lost art. She may have possessed the best head-and-shoulder fake in the gym, repeatedly sending defenders into the air before making her way to the basket and displaying an impressive array of finishes. Bratton was equally physical on the defensive end, using her strong upper body to wall up players several inches taller who thought they could take advantage of the matchup. She wasn't having any of it. MN Diamond Elite appears to have another diamond in the rough. Keep your eyes on Bratton. She's a gamer.     We know the sniper from Eastview and the Fury can shoot it with the best of them, but on Sunday, she took a step back and let her teammates enjoy some of the shine. She played more of a floor general role, directing traffic, dropping dimes and getting everyone involved. Of course, she still had to remind everyone why she's become one of the top prospects in her class. When she wanted to score, she did. She effortlessly got to her spots and made the defense pay. Her impact didn't stop on the offensive end either. She was active defensively, reading passing lanes and snatching passes out of the air before they could reach their target. It was another strong showing from the top-20 prospect, and we're looking forward to another big winter from her.

Team 9 at the Prep Girls Hoops Sophomore ID Camp featured a group of prospects who made it clear that development doesn't stop between events. Several familiar faces displayed tremendous growth since the last time we saw them, while others used Sunday's showcase in Maple Grove to make a strong first impression. From improved confidence to more polished and complete games, this group gave us plenty to discuss.