Scouting Report: DM North at Roosevelt
Game Summary Des Moines North may have the best trio of players in the state, and they looked like a team that could be a top-5 come season’s end during their 59-45 road win over Roosevelt Friday night. Polar Bear…
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Des Moines North may have the best trio of players in the state, and they looked like a team that could be a top-5 come season’s end during their 59-45 road win over Roosevelt Friday night.
Polar Bear freshman Tyreke Locure set the tone early for his team defensively, his active hands and sneaky defense was pivotal to their early success. He finished the night with just seven points, but must have had close to 10 steals.
Jal Bijiek continues to evolve as one of 2017’s best prospects, he was a human eraser once again tonight – proving why he’s the state’s leader in blocked shots. His soaring alley-oop jam on top of a ‘Rider defender was the highlight of the season thus far. And for me personally, it was the best dunk I’ve ever seen at the high school level.
Dontre English is second in 4A in scoring this season, and he scored a quiet 20 in the win for North. All of his points came at the rim – he has a special ability to put the ball in the hoop.
Roosevelt struggled all night against the aggressive and athletic defense of the Polar Bears. Roosevelt’s leading scorer this season, Gatdoar Kueth, was scoreless in the first half, and finished with just six points. Jeremiah Chandler was impressive for ‘Riders, coming off the bench to lead the team with 12 points.
Team Scoring
North: 16 9 12 22 — 59
Roosevelt: 6 10 8 21 — 45
Individual Scoring
North: Dontre English 20, Ben Hayes 11, Jal Bijiek 8, Tyreke Locure 7, Keon Lowe 7, Jaylyn Trotty 3, Dariq Myles 2
Roosevelt: Jeremiah Chandler 12, Nabil Musa 11, Buay Choul 6, Gatdoar Keuth 6, Eli Dotson 4, Mhiyu Thomas 3, Ethan Shafer 2, Emiliano Parra 2
North Player Evals
2017, Jal Bijiek, 6’7 SF
No shot is safe when Bijiek is on the floor, and the state’s premier shot-blocker so far this season was at it once again tonight. His come from behind swat on a Roosevelt breakaway was the highlight of the night. That was, before he threw down a soaring two-hand alley-oop jam over a ‘Rider defender in the fourth quarter. His mid-range has developed very nicely, and his touch mixed with a polished form makes it another serious weapon in his arsenal. He’s getting better each time I see him – D1 offers should pour in next summer.
2016, Dontre English, 6’2 G
He’s a warrior who has a knack for scoring. He scored a quiet 20 tonight, all points at the rim, and he’s aggressive when attacking the hoop. He’s a fiery competitor, who can absorb contact and finish well. He gets to the line often, and will more-often-than-not lead this team in scoring.
2019, Tyreke Locure, 5’9 PG
Savvy, slick, skilled, swagger; Locure is as good as it gets in Iowa’s 2019 class. He’ll be a nightmare for CIML opponents over the next four years, and it’s scary to think about how good he’ll be in three years. He’s slight in stature right now, but if he even adds a couple inches and can bulk up, he’ll be a Division I prospect before you know it.
2019, Lino Malual, 6’2 G
Another Polar Bear freshman on our 2019 Watch List, Malual – though now as polished as Locure – has a chance to become a star in the coming years. He plays his role well right now -isnness which is to rebound and play withing the offnese. His plus-length and athleticism will take him to great heights over the next three seasons.
2016, Ben Hayes, 6’4 SF
The definition of efficiency and unselfishness. Hayes has been a staple on this Polar Bears team, starting for three seasons now. Though he’s the most experienced, he does not try to do too much, and accepts his role as the fourth scoring option, letting the three newcomers (English, Bijiek, Locure) take the reins. Hayes has become somewhat of a 3-point specialist for his team, and when he tees it up and gets a clean look, chances are it’s going in.
Roosevelt Player Evals
2016, Gatdoar Kueth, 6’5 SF
He was quiet tonight, and has been more quiet than expected all season. His strengths are clearly his athleticism, and his blocks and offensive rebounding are nice. But we’d like to see him be more assertive offensively, and let his natural ability takeover.
2017, Ethan Shafer, 6′ G/F
Another Roughriders guy who we expected a lot from this season. It was tough sledding for the All Iowa Attack product tonight against a pesky and athletic Polar Bear defense. Shafer flashed a nice mid-range pull-up jumper late in the game, but it was his only bucket on the night.
2016, Jeremiah Chandler, 6’1 G
He was great tonight, and led the team in scoring, putting in 12 points off the bench. Chandler was strong with the ball, and got to the hoop at will, finding creases in the defense well. He’s quick, strong and a plus-athlete, and will be a key contributor the rest if the way for the ‘Riders.
2018, Nabil Musa, 5’11 PG
A very promising young point guard, Musa has a knack for getting to the hoop, and uses his great length to get off clean looks once he gets there. He also showed an ability to knock down the deep ball. He’ll emerge as a top-75 player in the next 2018 rankings.
2017, Mhiyu Thomas, 6’2 SF
The former Polar Bear was quiet against his former team tonight, and though he started early in the season for the ‘Riders, he was coming off the bench tonight. He’s a nice prospect with a load of potential, and if he gains some confidence and assertiveness, he could become a very nice player over the next year-and-a-half.
2016, Eli Dotson, 6’5 PF
It was my first look at the little-known senior, but I came away impressed. He started the game with a beautiful post move around the hoop – after that he was quiet, but never detrimental to his team. He attempted one 3-ball tonight and made it clear that the shot is in his arsenal if the opportunity presents itself. He will be a key piece to the Riders’ success over the next two-thirds of the season.