PGH Freshman Showcase: Team 2 evaluations, part 1

Fall is finally here and that means one thing for the month of September: the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase. This year's event, which was held at Maple Grove Middle School on Sunday, featured more than 90 players from around Minnesota. With this being one of the deepest classes we've scouted in recent years, the level of play was outstanding and many players made their case for a spot in the upcoming Freshman 50, our initial ranking of the 2030 class that will be coming out in a few weeks. As for this week, we'll be releasing our evaluations on most of the players who were in the gym on Sunday, one team at a time. Here are the highlights from Team 2, part 1.    Wendel (pictured above) got going early on Sunday morning and didn't let up until the final buzzer sounded. Both light on her feet and seriously quick, the 5'3 point guard is highly athletic and incredibly skilled for her age. What stood out most was her shot creation. With a tight handle on the ball, a lightning quick release, and the capability to hit shots from anywhere on the floor, Lauren's ability to create space for herself off the dribble was second to none. On top of that, the Prior Lake freshman doesn't just play at one speed. Wendel excels at playing with pace and knows when and how to get her teammates involved in the offense.     After not seeing her play much since last fall, Berg's performance on Sunday left me feeling pretty impressed. The 5'6 point guard got in the mix right away and was competitive against every level of player in the gym. By spacing the floor and making quick cuts to the basket, defending with great intensity, and consistently finishing her shots at the rim, Ellie was able to leave her fingerprints all over the game. The Brainerd freshman also looked for her shot early and often. She took any open shots she found on the perimeter and didn't hesitate to explode towards the basket when the driving lanes were open. This is a player who could make a big impact for the Warriors this winter.     After taking on more of a complimentary role with [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] this summer, Sunday was a great opportunity for us to see all that Okseon can do. The 5'10 forward showcased her ability to knock down open looks from three, and really excelled at using her length and sizable frame to her advantage on defense. All around, Aliyah's game is incredibly fundamentally sound and has many of the early makings of a strong college player. What really jumped out to me though? Her attitude. There wasn't a player in the gym who encouraged their teammates, communicated on both ends of the floor, or smiled as much as Okeson did. This is exactly the kind of kid every coach wants in their locker room.     Those familiar with Minnesota girls basketball might recognize this name because of 2027 NDSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='595199' first='Maya' last='Kilian']. But younger sister Emma is baller in her own right. The New Prague 9th grader made her presence known on Sunday thanks to her speed, athleticism, and knockdown three-point shot. All throughout the event, Kilian spaced the floor to find open looks on the perimeter, getting shots up with a lightning quick release once the ball was in her hands. On the other end of the floor, the 5'7 guard's motor and consistent work ethic were evident. Both long and light on her feet, Emma was a disruptive force on the perimeter all afternoon.     Johnson's end-to-end speed was the first thing we noticed about her game. The 5'3 guard may have been one of the smaller players in the gym, but her quickness gave her a leg up in multiple areas of the game. On the defensive end, Siana competed hard all day and was able to force some turnovers out on the perimeter. On offense the Minneapolis South freshman made some nice passes in transition, spaced the floor consistently, and continued to look for opportunities to score even when the shots weren't falling. After appearing in 21 games last winter, we suspect Johnson will be a key piece for the Tigers in her 9th grade season.

Fall is finally here and that means one thing for the month of September: the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase. This year's event, which was held at Maple Grove Middle School on Sunday, featured more than 90 players from around Minnesota. With this being one of the deepest classes we've scouted in recent years, the level of play was outstanding and many players made their case for a spot in the upcoming Freshman 50, our initial ranking of the 2030 class that will be coming out in a few weeks. As for this week, we'll be releasing our evaluations on most of the players who were in the gym on Sunday, one team at a time. Here are the highlights from Team 2, part 1.