Battle at the Lakes 15U Previews
In this article:
43 Hoops Johnson (MN)
Players To Watch:
Blake O’Connor – Orono stretch forward, with a high motor and very good mid range game.
Dane Zimmer – Hopkins 6-ft-4 forward with good post footwork and moves. Dane is a good defender, has a solid mid range jumper and good touch around the rim.
Nick Prentice – A guard who is strong, a slasher, who plays hard and solid on ball defender (Orono player).
Sam Nissen – Prior Lake point guard who is crafty with the ball, can handle, shoot it and good pick and roll player.
Stock Raiser:
Isaiah Watts – A 6-ft-2 guard from Jefferson who is very athletic, quick, slasher who can shoot it and create his own shot.
Barnstormers (IA)
Players To Watch:
Patrick McCaffery – The top Iowa player in the Class of 2019 and another son of Fran McCaffery, the 6-foot-8 big man is one a national recruit. He played a role as a freshman at one of the most powerful programs in the state, Iowa City West, and will likely be following his brother to the Hawkeyes.
Derek Krogman – A top-five player in the state in his class, the 6-foot-6 Krogmann has size and skill not often seen at his position and age.
Stock Raiser:
Jackson Molstead – At 5-foot-10, Molstead doesn’t stand out physically, but he’s a prolific scorer already at the varsity level while still being a top-notch passer.
Big Hustle (MN)
Players To Watch:
Maleeck Harden – Maleeck is a very versatile player with good energy on the defensive end, length to disrupt passes and gather rebounds and the ability to score in a multitude of ways.
Shane Steiner – Plays with spark and is a confident scorer from both inside and outside the paint. Active rebounder and defender.
Stock Raiser:
Gavin Bakke – Plays the game low and quick initiating early offense and providing tenacious on the ball defense disrupting flow and forcing turnovers.
Century Panthers (MN)
Players To Watch:
Jack Fisher – Jack is at times unstoppable driving to the hoop, has a nice outside shot, incredible rebounder, and a humble leader on the court.
Stephen Olander – Stephen has an outstanding 3 point shot with range, a great free throw percentage, and he leads the team in steals and tipped balls.
Stock Raiser:
Canon Tweed – Canon controls the middle of the defense and is a tenacious re-bounder who is always willing to sacrifice his body.
Cornsharks Select (IA)
This is group of guys who if they stay intact for the next three seasons could do a lot of damage around the Midwest. Plenty of central Iowa of talent resides on the roster, particularly at the guard positions, and they have a budding superstar with Greene County 2019 Trey Hinote.
Players to Watch:
Trey Hinote – He may be the most skilled player in the entire Cornsharks program, and will score at the rim or from deep. His handles are tight and his innate and uncanny passing ability make him most dangerous. Hinote is also a plus-athlete; he’s the complete package.
Trent Williamson – A big combo-guard, who’s mostly comfortable off the ball. He is a smart player, who never forces and always makes the right play. He will score when needed and can get buckets in bunches if necessary.
Crossfire Bellefeuille (MN)
Players To Watch:
Matthew Broduer – Matthew is a physical, combo guard who defends at a high level and has shown a consistent three-point shot.
Cole Elrod – Cole is a long, athletic wing who finishes well, has a nice shooting touch and has become a skilled threat with his back to the basket.
Stock Raiser:
Brock Burdine – Brock is a quick guard who takes control of the offense, defends well and shoots at a high rate.
Crossfire Bertsch (MN)
Players To Watch:
Diego Theisen – Diego is a strong point guard that works hard and defends well, passes well and can get to the rim.
Joey Erickson – Joey is an athletic wing that can get to the rim, draw fouls, and can guard any position 2-5.
Stock Raiser:
Zyler Niece – Zyler is an athletic wing that plays good defense and shoots the ball at a high rate and gets out into transition.
Crossfire Nelson (MN)
Players To Watch:
Reegan Nelson – A hard-working slasher that plays with a never quit attitude. He rebounds with the biggest of bigs and he runs the floor with the quickest of guards. No one will out work him on either end of the court.
Carson Sawatzke – A shifty ball-handler and has a shot from the outside that can heat up quickly. His command of the offense is key to the team’s success. On the defensive, his quickness keeps other team’s guards at bay.
Stock Raiser:
Shawn Sellner – A shooting guard who can light it up from the outside, and his “no fear” drives to the rim cause opponents to think twice about taking a charge.
D1 Minnesota (MN)
Players To Watch:
Jacob Beeninga – A six-foot heady guard that earned varsity time with a top ten Class AAAA team this winter and has carried that over nicely to the spring.
Tyrell Terry – One of the more poised, skilled, and intelligent lead guards you will see at this age, played some back-up PG this year for the state champions.
Stock Raiser:
Tyler Wahl – The Lakeville North young forward has earned himself a spot on the list of top young prospects to watch in Minnesota with an excellent spring.
Fury Hines (MN)
Players To Watch:
Marcus Shepley – The Burnsville wing started at the end of the year and with good reason as he’s shown a mature game for his age.
Charlie Gorres – Has some of the quickest bounce in his grade meaning he finishes over of others easily at 6-foot-4 and he is a out of area rebounder.
Stock Raiser:
Dylan Drees – At 6-foot-7 with some face-up skill the word prospect is attached to Dylan and with good reason. Has a chance to blossom into a nice player prospect.
Heat Ismael (MN)
Players To Watch:
Casey Glenn Fisher Jr. – Casey is an athletic guard that can finish at the rim and hit the three ball.
AJ Tolliver – AJ is a great ball handler with good court vision and high basketball IQ.
Stock Raiser:
Mason Johnson – Mason has improved his post offense and defense. Rebounds well and shot blocks, ideal big man.
Iowa Dynasty (IA)
As is the case with most of the Dynasty program, this is another team that lacks much size, but is loaded with good guard play. Shooting guard Beau Cornwell had a 46-point game with his high school team as a freshman, and the City High duo of Dae Dae Hickman and Antonio Turner are electric with the ball in their hands, using their speed to help push tempo.
Iowa Mavericks (IA)
The Mavericks 15s are filled with a number of younger brothers of former Iowa prep standouts. Luke Velky leads the charge as a combo guard who is capable of scoring in bunches, and Cortaviaus Seales is an athletic slashing guard who can break down defenses to set up for others. Jack Kelly is a diminutive (5-8) off-guard, but is a very good shooter who helps stretch the defense. 6-4 big man Mosai Newsom is very raw, but is a plus-athlete who runs the floor, finishes and blocks shots. This team will be dependent on knocking down shots, but they should be competitive.
Iowa Pump ‘N Run (IA)
There is some decent size on this roster, with the 6-4 Carson Crile and 6-3 Rhett Zeglen leading the charge. They’ve got a solid, but tiny (5-6), guard in Zach Peterson who leads the backcourt and controls tempo. Bryce Barnett is another solid looking player on the perimeter for this group.
Made Men (IL)
Made Men is a new program in its first year and is making major noise. They have had successful showings at the Indiana Elite Spring Classic, Nike Spring Showdown, and Spiece Run N Slam early in the spring.
Players to Watch:
Dashon Enoch – Tough as nails combo guard that has a chance to be one of the best lead guards in the state’s 2019 class. Competes on both ends of the floor being a standout on ball defender. Strong handles and improving as a shooter.
Chase Robinson – Also a great on-ball and team defender with huge hands. Very smooth and poised. Good decision-maker and scores pretty well at each level with a 3-ball that is developing.
Charlie Hoehne – Maybe the highest ceiling of all guys on this team. Great athlete, who is long and can run the floor, and can dunk off of either foot with one or both hands. Solid rebounder who can push the ball out in transition after he gets it. His jumper is developing from mid-range all the way out to the 3.
Solomon Oraegbu – High academic student with a high basketball IQ as well. Defends multiple positions, rebounds, can shoot the 3, and has a good pump-fake and drive game. Great team player who communicates.
Jack Koyn – Feisty point guard who sets the tone and plays with a high-level of intensity. Good on-ball defender and can shoot with consistency from 3 and in the mid-range off the pull-up.
Charlie Pillsbury – High academic student with a brilliant basketball IQ. A great team defender who collects rebounds and blocks shots. Makes up for what could be perceived as a lack of athleticism by being in the right place at the right time. Sets solid screens, knows how to roll. Can pass and catch making poised decisions from the perimeter when he gets it. Offensive game is a work in progress but he does nothing to hurt himself or the team.
MN Energy
New to the grassroots scene this year, the MN Energy bring a tough 15U squad into Battle.
Players to watch:
Kameron Givens – Runs the show from the point. He’s a great distributor with the ball in his hands but comfortable coming off screens and shooting threes.
John Briggs – A versatile option offensively as well, capable of scoring inside and out while
Kentale’ Morris – The top defender on the team who can mix things up off the bounce and with a stroke from deep on offense.
MN Heat Miner (MN)
Players to Watch:
Brian Tayson – Guard from Prescott, Wisconsin
Zac Erickson – 6’6 Forward from Chisago Lakes
Cole Chapman – 6’6 8th Grader from Mahtomedi
Program notes:
This will be Heat Miner’s 4th tourney … placed 3rd in the MN Comets tournament … “Willie Vang for President” — coach Miner (we agree)
MN Heat Wright (MN)
Players to watch:
Ben Kozemzak – All-purpose player able to knock down the three, dunk on defenders and D up the opposing team’s best player.
Jack Thompson – The team’s 2 guard, impacting all aspects of the game. He is deadly on his jump shot, will pick your pocket, and nail the three if left open.
Tony Wright – Runs the floor as a scrappy point guard with a deadly three, willing to give it up on defense.
Nick Wright – The defensive and 3-point specialist off the bench. He challenges the opposing player to score.
Noah Chamberlain – A slasher and highly skilled 6-4 guard. He bangs in the middle, will shoot the long ball, and has the speed to breakdown most defenders.
Logan Benson – Has a deadly 3-point shot, explosive jumper off the dribble and is the team’s motivational leader.
Jack Stolpman – At 6-5, he continues to grow into his frame, showing abilities to post up, dominate in the paint, and hit the three point shot.
Patrick Ryan – Assassin off the bench. He will bang inside, knock down the jumper and rip rebounds when asked.
Program notes:
MN Heat Wright is made up of 8 players, seven from the Eagan/Mendota Heights Area in MN and one Cheesehead from Wisconsin. Six of the boys attend Saint Thomas Academy High School while 7 of the 8 played traveling basketball together since the 4th grade. “Success is built and modeled after the San Antonio Spurs – play like a team, share the ball, and fight to the bitter end. We aren’t the biggest but we have heart.” — coach Wright
MN Nice (MN)
Players to Watch:
Brady Aggrimson – Athletic, strong, always on “attack mode,” rebounds well, Nice jump shoot, good defender, high energy.
Tanner Ranslow – Fast, athletic, strong, rebounds well, knock down jumpshot as well as the step-back jumper, good defender with high energy.
Joich Gong – Very quick, athletic, good defender, on “attack mode” at all times, good floor leadership, nice jump shoot shooter.
MN RISE Kettner (MN)
Players to watch:
Isaac Fink – Averaged 21 PPG, 7 RPG and 4 APG in varsity season. Big, strong guard with range. One of the most productive players in southern MN, especially for his age group.
Jake Kettner – Consistent all-around player, anticipates defense well and rebounds nicely for a guard. Pass-first PG.
Luot Makuac – Has three games in the spring with at least three perimeter makes. Good shooter/scorer with solid upside.
Jordan Hassing – Another good 3-point shooter who can spot up. Hard-worker and a coach’s kid.
Parker Freeburg – 6-foot-5 center who carves out space with his frame. Has a solid midrange shot and looks for put-backs.
Program notes:
Combined with SMBA and MN SLAM last year to create a new program… 5-2 on the year… went 3-0 in April’s Rise Up Challenge … have been missing impact player Fink in both tournaments … known for 3-point shooting
MN Select Koch (MN)
Players to watch:
Max Miggler and Solomon Whalen – Very good shooters and skilled players. Great potential and natural leaders. Played on Tartan’s top 9th grade team and are the top two scorers on Select Koch.
Program notes:
“Our summer so far has been a great surprise. We have been doing much better than a lot of people thought we would, taking 3rd at the Meg Vang Invitational and going 2-2 at the MN Select classic with only six players. We were selected as one of the top contenders at the Meg Vang Invitational and didn’t disappoint. We are very excited to continue to improve and get better every tournament.” — coach Koch
Minnesota Warriors (MN)
Players to watch:
Jonathan Connors, Tyson Hansen, Brady Bean and Keaton Miller
Players on the rise:
Jack Carver, Elliot Ewald and Michael Christiansen
Program notes:
Record so far is 6-5 … 2nd Place at MYAS Spring Challenge … previously 1st place at the 2015 Northstar Hoops State Championship (Division 2) … see 17U team notes for more
Real Athletics Bremiah (MN)
Players to watch:
Octavious Wilson, Keezy Clay
Real Athletics Bremiah is led by a tough backcourt tandem in Octavious Wilson (Hill Murray) and Keezy Clay (Cooper). Both rely on quickness with the ball keep defenders on their toes with attacking mindsets. They love to get after opposing guards on defense. Unselfishness is a key piece to Bremiah’s squad, as this group loves to share the rock and balance the scoring load.
Real Athletics Burgess (MN)
Players to watch:
Gavin Paytton, Joshua Gallagher, Michael Delaney, Simon Rice, Andy Burrell
Real Athletics Burgess boasts length on the perimeter with Gavin Paytton (Minnetonka). Paytton plays the 3 and 4 which creates matchup problems. When bigs try to match up, he can step outside and shoot it but his length creates problems off the bounce when he’s checked by smaller defenders. Like Paytton, Joshua Gallagher (STMA) does a little bit of everything. He’s a long guard and stuffs stat sheets for Real. Another unselfish RA team, Burgess boasts three high-level guys from Orono. Michael Delaney, Simon Rice and Andy Burrell are mainstays atop the Orono program and bring good team ball to the spring with RA.
St. Louis Majestics (MO)
Players to watch:
Devion Harris – (Parkway Central Middle) Up and coming 2020 prospect who is capable of playing all three perimeter positions. Very skilled kid with good size.
Twin Ports Pride (MN)
Players to watch:
Mason Ackley, Hunter Phillips, Xavier Patterson
The Twin Ports 15u team brings back a core group that’s very familiar with one another and that shows in the way they play together. They’re a strong bunch and capitalize on their physicality. The’yre led by a trio of Wisconsinites, Mason Ackley, Hunter Phillips and Xavier Patterson. Ackley is the primary scorer and capable of getting hot from deep. Patterson is the most athletic of the bunch and makes his living slashing to the rim.
WOTN Erickson (MN)
Players to watch:
Jackson Schlaak, Jake Veldman
Jackson Schlaak (Northfield) anchors WOTN on the inside. When Schlaak is getting touches, they’re a much better offensive team and he makes things difficult for opponents on the interior at the other end. Jake Veldman (Prior Lake) is an under-the-radar guy for WOTN on the perimeter. Equally as comfortable scoring as he is distributing and a team leader.
*Previews for 15U Wisconsin and Nebraska teams participating in Battle at the Lake will be added shortly