The Expo: Team 1 evaluations, part 1

The stakes felt a little higher on Sunday at the Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Expo, a showcase event where juniors and seniors took the court at Maple Grove Middle School with their futures in mind. Many are still searching for the scholarship offer or opportunity that will allow them to continue their basketball careers at the next level, and they competed with a clear sense of urgency. With every possession serving as another chance to gain exposure and make an impression, several prospects showed they have the talent, toughness and determination to help a college program. Here's part 1 of our Team 1 evaluations.    You couldn't ask for a much better example of a lead guard in an event like this. Towne did a great job running the show and keeping everyone involved. She controlled the tempo, kept the ball moving and recognized when teammates had it going, making sure the ball found its way back into their hands. Towne (pictured above) was strong around the basket and, more times than not, simply made the right play. Towne defended, rebounded and looked like she genuinely enjoyed being on the court competing with her teammates. The Marshall guard has good size, a great attitude and plenty of game to go along with it. She's excited about the upcoming winter season and ready to surprise some of the naysayers. I wouldn't bet against her.     Schieffert was all over the court from beginning to end. She attacked off the bounce, showed consistent range and, more times than not, simply made the right read. That can be tough in a showcase setting when you're playing with an assortment of players and figuring things out on the fly. You couldn't tell with Schieffert. She seemed to be on a mission, never taking a play off on either side of the ball. Defensively, she shot passing lanes and wasn't afraid to wall up against bigger opponents. The Sleepy Eye St. Mary's guard was just as effective as a playmaker, dropping some impressive dimes along the way. Olivia was impressive throughout and, just as important, was a great teammate. I'm looking forward to a very productive winter from the junior.     The 6'2” forward from Royalton was a pleasant surprise, as I hadn't had the pleasure of watching Pallansch before Sunday. She showed a nice balance of inside-out offense with a soft touch around the basket while also showing range from the mid-range and beyond the arc. Defensively, her length helped make up for any lack of foot speed. Even when she was beaten on the perimeter, Pallansch did a good job recovering and using that length to alter shots. When she was around the paint, she showed good timing as a shot blocker and was able to challenge shots without fouling. There's a lot to like here. Pallansch plays her AAU ball with the Comets, and with her combination of size, shooting touch and defensive potential, there's plenty of upside for the Royalton junior.     The lefty from Champlin Park is always going to bring maximum effort and energy, and Sunday was no different. Tough rebounds, loose balls, giving up her body – if her team needs it, she's going to do it. One thing I really like is Scarlett's ability to snatch a rebound and lead the break herself. She'll push it ahead when the opportunity is there, then trail the play and crash the offensive glass looking to create a second or even third opportunity. She simply plays hard, and that type of motor is tough to teach. Moving forward, I'd like to see her continue to show confidence in her outside shot while developing her right hand. Those improvements will make her an even tougher matchup, but the effort, toughness and willingness to do the dirty work are already there.

The stakes felt a little higher on Sunday at the Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota Expo, a showcase event where juniors and seniors took the court at Maple Grove Middle School with their futures in mind. Many are still searching for the scholarship offer or opportunity that will allow them to continue their basketball careers at the next level, and they competed with a clear sense of urgency. With every possession serving as another chance to gain exposure and make an impression, several prospects showed they have the talent, toughness and determination to help a college program. Here's part 1 of our Team 1 evaluations.