NE Top 250-Expo: Team 3 Evaluations

The PGH Nebraska Top 250-Expo brought together some of the best athletes in the state to come compete under one roof in Bellevue, Nebraska on Sunday. There were 45+ players, split up into 5 teams, that went out and gave it everything they had competing in 3-4 contests throughout the day . Below I am going to give my evaluation of each player on Team 3 and how they look going into the high school season.   *Players listed as: (Jersey #, Name, Class, Size, College Position, Current High School) – For rewatching purposes on BallerTV.    Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   #155 - [player_tooltip player_id='758842' first='Lucy' last='Fierro'] - 2026 - 5'1 - PG/SG - Westview High School   I want to say that [player_tooltip player_id='758842' first='Lucy' last='Fierro'] was the smallest player in the building at this Expo and she was easily one of the most exciting to watch. Fierro has fire, tenacity, and some skill when that ball is in her hands. She knows what spots she wants to get to on the offensive side of the floor, while displaying great knowledge of when to be ultra-aggressive defensively, leading to a good amount of steals and lay ups. In transition Fierro is awesome at finding space. Once she gets to a specific spot, she is always ready to let it go from behind the arc if the opportunity presents itself or she can take it in for a closer look at the basket, if her defender over-plays. I'm a big fan of Fierro's game. She keeps it simple and works hard.   #157 - [player_tooltip player_id='336028' first='Sanai' last='Cotton-Welchen'] - 2027 - 5'3 - PG - Central High School   I saw some good things out of [player_tooltip player_id='336028' first='Sanai' last='Cotton-Welchen'] at this Top 250 Expo. There were a number of occasions when Welchen was the first player on the floor or the first diving out of bounds to get a loose ball. Not to mention, that when she caught the ball in transition she did well at spreading the floor, making the defense choose which players they were going to stick on and which players they were going to leave wide open. I need to see SCW play some more this winter but I think she can really build on what I saw on Sunday.   #194 - Madison Prevail - 2027 - 5'4 - PG/SG - Sioux City West High School   Madison Prevail is going to have her time to shine over the next few seasons at Sioux City West. Prevail stands at around 5'4 with quick footwork, a good head on her shoulders, and some skill with the basketball when given time. There isn't a situation that Prevail isn't ready for. She may only be a Freshman this season but for some reason, she seems patient and experienced out there on the floor. Again, this could be a situation of a small sample size for this Expo but from everything I witnessed, there is definitely some good that Prevail can do on the high school court this winter, depending on her programs rosters and how they are set up to succeed.   #197 - [player_tooltip player_id='777556' first='Avery' last='Nichols'] - 2026 - 5'6 - PG/SG - Brownell Talbot High School   A guard that has somewhat of a well rounded game is [player_tooltip player_id='777556' first='Avery' last='Nichols'] of Brownell Talbot High School. Nichols never tried to do too much or make something happen that isn't there. She is a guard that is quick getting down the floor and can handle her own whenever she is being over-pressured by an opponent. She displays the ability to attack going either way at the hoop, while being able to finish with either hand at the basket. Defensively, she uses her knowledge of the game and quick moving feet to beat her opponent to their spots on a regular basis. Usually stopping whatever offensive action they may be attempting to run. All in all, it was a good showing on all account for Nichols.   #198 - [player_tooltip player_id='766701' first='Jessica' last='Houston'] - 2025 - 5'7 - CG - Northwest High School   Someone that is going to have a positive impact on the varsity floor this winter at Northwest High School is [player_tooltip player_id='766701' first='Jessica' last='Houston']. Houston is around 5'7 with some athleticism. She moves effortlessly both on and off of the ball, with the ability to move around to a plethora of positions for whatever team she is lacing up with. After watching Houston perform at this Expo, I can confidently say that if she is put in the correct spots to succeeded, she should have some really nice games this winter. She has a good foundation to build on and she can make some things happen, when her teams game plan happens to break down. Now all there is left is to go out and do it!   #210 - [player_tooltip player_id='666906' first='Bailee' last='Durant'] - 2026 - 5'10 - SG/CG - South Sioux City High School   [player_tooltip player_id='666906' first='Bailee' last='Durant'] is a player with an impressive mixture of size, quickness, and skill. Durant would be categorized as a Combo Guard in my book but I think others will also consider her a natural Shooting Guard. I think the difference in my opinion being that Durant can do much more then just shoot the ball or play in that off-guard spot. You could move her all over the court, into different positions, wether it be into 1, 2, or 3 and she would be successful in whatever she is trying to accomplish. All of this and more was on full display last Sunday at the event. Durant was one of the most sound players in the building, while being productive on both sides of the floor at a high and consistent rate. The future is bright here, like everyone, she just needs to keep on the grind.   #213 - [player_tooltip player_id='752776' first='Gigi' last='Owens'] - 2027 - 5'11 - PG - Lincoln High School   The ceiling for [player_tooltip player_id='752776' first='Gigi' last='Owens'] on the basketball court is a high one. Owens is a 2027 player, coming into high school standing at around 5'11 already, playing the point guard position. Owens has length, athleticism, and good knowledge of the game for her age. At the moment, Owens talent is still very raw. She is physically superior to most that step up to her, so she dominates them going to the hoop and around the paint. She is still working on getting some touch on the basketball for jump shooting purposes, as I would say that is her biggest weakness at the moment but over-time, that will change. Her game will grow and she will become better. Honestly, I'm assuming Owens has always fallen into the problem of being the most dominate player in her class. She never had anyone to stop her, making her shoot a jumper or display multiple counter moves to get a bucket. Once she steps on the high school floor this winter that should all change and because of it, I expect her to take her game to an entirely new level. Until it happens it's all speculation but don't be surprised if you see her killing it this winter at Lincoln.   #233 - [player_tooltip player_id='766448' first='Carley' last='Lewellen'] - 2025 - 5'11 - PF/C - Glenwood High School   [player_tooltip player_id='766448' first='Carley' last='Lewellen'] brings size, footwork, and coordination to the post position and that was very clear on Sunday. Lewellan is your textbook Power Forward/Center position type player. She dominates her mismatches in the paint with her back to the basket, she has a soft touch on the ball going up with either hand, and she is always playing off of 2-feet with some great balance. There aren't a lot of things I could say that Carley needs to improve on solely from this event other than to stay dedicated if she is really into the game. She brings some positivity/straightforward thinking to the floor and that shows to anyone watching. I'm excited to see what she can do this high school season at Glenwood in Iowa.

The PGH Nebraska Top 250-Expo brought together some of the best athletes in the state to come compete under one roof in Bellevue, Nebraska on Sunday. There were 45+ players, split up into 5 teams, that went out and gave it everything they had competing in 3-4 contests throughout the day . Below I am going to give my evaluation of each player on Team 3 and how they look going into the high school season.