2026 PGH IA Expo: Eye-Opening Point Guard Play

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This event brought together 70+ prospects from throughout the state of Iowa to compete under one roof and there were several hoopers that stood out as names to note as we move into this high school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the article below we cover five players that did a great job competing at the PG position throughout the day during our skill work session, 3v3 play, and 5v5 action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I expect each of these individuals to show up in BIG ways this Winter for their Varsity programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1315281"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac4651c3cfe8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1315281' first='Mikaela' last='Tran'] was a top five player on the day at this event in my eyes. There wasn't really anyone that challenged her throughout when she was attacking on offense. She came down the floor and either hit her defender with a smooth dribble move to blow by and finish at the rim or she would come down the court and run her team's offense within the half with 5 out action. Either way, she always kept things moving and that was trouble for every defense that stood in her way throughout. Whenever she was overplayed she did a good job at finding open teammates around the floor, demonstrating that she can make both the simple pass or the more challenging one if need be. All in all, we won't rank the 2030 Class until December with an official # rankings but Tran is going to be in that conversation for the Top Five overall if she steps onto the Varsity floor and does damage like we think she is going too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1440552"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac4651c3d05b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We should fully expect [player_tooltip player_id='1440552' first='Yasanna' last='Love Smith'] to makes some waves this Winter at her new high school, Des Moines Lincoln. Love Smith is that PG that everyone loves to coach. Not only is she really skilled. She is a great listener, she is smart when it comes to the mental side of the game, she brings positive energy to the floor, all while not wanting any of the credit. She just wants to play this game, have some fun, and make those around her better because of everything she can bring to the table. We saw all of that on Saturday. She made some impressive passes down the full length of the court with both hands, she hit open shots when they were given to her, she got into the teeth of the defense at Will, and she ATE defensively. There is a lot to like out of this one. If she does what she is capable of moving forward, we are going to be in for a treat when we get into this Winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1316347"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac4651c3d0a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I said a few weeks ago that my favorite PG out of the 2031 Class is [player_tooltip player_id='1316347' first='Gia' last='Diaz-Doolin'] and on Saturday she showed everyone why. Just like Love Smith and Tran, this is your typical PG #1 on the roster. The way she carries herself and controls everything that happens around her is really impressive for her age. On Saturday every time that she had the rock in her hands at the top of the key everything went as fast or as slow as she wanted. She couldn't be sped up and if she was pressed - she didn't panic. She held onto the rock and usually ended the possession by making the right play to help her squad in that moment. CR Washington is going to be a fun watch this Winter. If everything goes according to plan I would think that GDD will be their starting PG but we will just have to wait and see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["833953"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac4651c3d0f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We invited [player_tooltip player_id='833953' first='Callie' last='Hales'] into this event because we needed some Division-1 committed talent in the house and she did not disappoint. Hales was hitting three's free deep off the catch and dribble, she got into the lane for some floater/runner action, she finished at the bucket on both sides, and she helped those around her when they were lost and might have needed some guidance - which really showed character in those moments. Hales has one more season at Gilbert to let it fly before taking her talents to UT - Martin and i'm sure she is ready to make the most of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["957840"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac4651c3d13b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick first step going towards the rim for a finish through traffic, a smooth three point step back from off the bounce, a crafty counter move leading into an assist when she is cut off. These are just a few things that [player_tooltip player_id='957840' first='Savanna' last='Wright'] did while we were watching on Saturday in 5v5 action. Every time her team took the court, she was looks upon as the groups leader in charge - which was great too see because that's how it's going to be this Winter at Mount Vernon. Wright will be competing for a Division-1 program when she gets to college. Which program exactly? I am not sure but she has some choices right now and those choices are only going to grow until that commitment happens. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->