Kansan Hoop Report : Underclassman at the Iowa PGH 250 Expo
As I shared in the article about Kansas upperclassman, last Sunday afternoon 11 Kansas hoopsters took to the floor at the Iowa Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. Six underclassman were among the approximately 165 talented players from eight states…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs I shared in the article about Kansas upperclassman, last Sunday afternoon 11 Kansas hoopsters took to the floor at the Iowa Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. Six underclassman were among the approximately 165 talented players from eight states to show their meddle in front of family, friends, club and high school coaches, college coaches, and PGH scribes Mason Asher and me. Players as young as the class of 2026 enjoyed the opportunity to run for three games apiece.
In this article I will be sharing notes and commentary on those six players.
2022
#4 Talayah Thomas, 5’7″, G, Topeka, Team KC Hoops – Thomas has a quiet ferocity to her game that can make opponents lose track of her, especially without the ball. In one situation she was defended by a hard working, quick opponent one-on-one in the back court. Thomas calmly worked her right, then toward the left side line. After crossing half court she eased up and the defender settled back a bit. Thomas then took a couple routine dribbles forward then quickly blew her defender’s doors off with a change of gears. Thomas got to the hole uncontested, the defender was left standing at the foul line. She is also a terrific, weak side offensive rebounder. Two trips in a row she snuck in on shots, got the rebound underneath, and went back up. Thomas is unafraid to go into the trees nor afraid of contact. With quickness and hand speed she is also an able defender. She’s solidified her spot in the rankings.
Mill Valley 2022 Emree Zars flashes a smile for the camera while sitting with Bishop Carrigan (IA) 2023 Molly Joyce, left, during an early game at the Iowa PGH 250 Expo. Topeka’s Talayah Thomas, right, stands with KC Hoops teammate Dallas Carpenter (Smithville, MO), at the conclusion of the PGH 250 Expo Iowa event.#30 Emree Zars, 5’10”, PG, Mill Valley, Kansas Elite – Zars had a great event on both ends of the floor. With her size, build, and athleticism Zars showed she can play and/or defend nearly every position. She was fast in transition, showed quickness defending on the wing, can create her own shot off the dribble, finishes well, and has three point range. While overlooked in my recent article on 2022 stretch 4 candidates Zars definitely should be considered. A lock in the top 30 in a very strong class, she likely could move into the top 20 before season’s end.
NR Greta Trowbridge, 5’7″, W, Mill Valley, Kansas Elite – Greta made her presence known through her versatility. She has solid speed in transition, can bring the ball up the floor well, and overall showed she is a capable athlete with some scoring ability. Defensively, when she keeps people in front of her she has enough length to bother shooters. Where she got into trouble is with her positioning to defend cutters. Greta is definitely a player to watch develop especially as a shooter and as a half court defender. Expect her to appear in the next rankings refresh.
Mill Valley 2022 Greta Trowbridge is all smiles after playing well at the Iowa PGH 250 Expo.NR Maddie Vosburg, 6’1″, PF, Mill Valley, Kansas Elite/Hookshots – Having watched Vosburg play throughout the summer I was looking forward to seeing how she would perform against the depth of talent she often did not see. Vosburg is a raw, developing big. Lanky, long-limbed, and a team player she showed good ability to move without the ball when not assigned to camp out around the lane on both ends as she was during the summer. She worked well with her very strong point guards. They had the ability to put the ball where bigs want it or can go get it. Doing so gave an indication of somewhat surprising athleticism and good hands. Having some ability to finish around the basket, including not bringing the ball down after a catch or rebound, was something I was aware of but in this environment she put it on display. Spacial awareness off the ball defensively is an area of improvement. She got caught too far outside the lane to help on basket attacks. Expect her to appear in the next rankings refresh.
2023
Emari Doby, 5’8″, G, Shawnee Heights, Team KC Hoops – Doby is going to be an impact player for Heights this season. Unlikely as a starter but certainly adding bench depth. Thoroughly excited to be stepping on the floor of the event she showed aggression, touch, handles, and speed. A three point threat, while playing the point she was able to beat defenders one-on-one to either get into the lane or to hit open teammates. It was apparent that the speed of action occasionally found her watching and soaking it all in, but it was also apparent she was understanding and learning. Keep an eye on her as the season evolves. The 2023 rankings will debut with the next release with her included in it.
Shawnee Heights Freshman Emari Doby pauses between games for a quick visit.2024
Jadyn Wooten, 5’5″, G, Prairie Star MS, Team KC Hoops – If she was playing high school ball this season Wooten would be a serious threat to make first or second team all-league and even a state honorable mention. Playing on the same team as #10 ranked, 2020 Topeka point guard Ariyana Grassity and 2022 Mill Valley center Maddie Vosburg, Wooten showed substantial offensive abilities. She has strong handles, speed, and quickness. Flexing those skills while also being a strong mid-range and three-point shooter makes her especially dangerous. Wooten is clearly one of the premier 2024s in Kansas.
Featured image: Teammates, from left to right, Jadyn Wooten (2024, Prairie Star MS), Maddie Vosburg (2022, Mill Valley), and Ariyana Grassity (2020, Topeka) played well together at the Iowa PGH 250 Expo.