GPA’17: The 17U Standouts
PHD was in St. Cloud on Thursday getting a look at South Dakota Attack, ECI, ND Cougars, and North Dakota Phenom. Several stood out including Jordan Polynice and Wyatt Hanson.
Chase Altenburg of SD Attack. The Attack point guard is one that a coach has to enjoy. Type of lead guard that can take pressure and despite that pressure will battle to make the simple pass or the tough pass. Appears to be a confident shooter as he at one point looked for his own shot and buried it despite a contesting D, and then made a floater shortly after. Loved how he works so hard to close out on shooters, to rotate on defense, and to ball pressure.
Kade Amundson of ECI. The 6-foot-6 power forward stretched the defense today with a pair of threes and a pair of face-up 15-footers. How is the touch? Kade was balanced, the form was good, and the release was textbook. The Powerhouse opponents are not a big team so Amundson was able to have his way around the basket as well powering his way to space and touching in contest looks. Good sign for the Bismarck Century player.
Jayce Archambault of ECI. Every time I see Jayce I think he’s got a really nice future ahead of him both as a senior and playing in college. Has a good frame, can shoot it, can handle it, attacks with an attitude of winning space and angles either by skill or by force. Really like his approach to the game taking advantage of opportunity.
Wyatt Hanson of ND Cougars. Hanson looks about three inches taller than when we saw him at this event last year. He’s ever the shooter (made five three-pointers tonight) but his frame is much stronger and his basket attack was more explosive than expected. At that size with agility and range on his jumper it’s easy to see what Minot State loves about him (offered him and was of course watching this game close). Scored 25 overall and other programs were watching the game close too.
2018 Wyatt Hanson of Stanley HS/ND Cougars was offered by Minnesota St Moorhead pic.twitter.com/upcYg8ExIN
— Prep Hoops Dakotas (@PrepHoopsDakota) June 30, 2017
Jordan Polynice of ND Phenom. With college coaches watching close Jordan Polynice put on an impressive display scoring 23 points and making five three pointers against a very good Minnesota Rise. Team. Having not seen him play against 17u kids all year this was a needed viewing to see where he is at and the viewing was all positive. Tate Hebrink of Rise is one of Minnesota’s toughest players and better defenders and outside of a late turnover Polynice went at him successfully as a 6-foot-5 point guard. The shooting touch looked beautiful, the handles were confident despite constant pressure, and the dribble separation was excellent. If Jordan can separate against a quick point guard he’s going to be able to do that to most wings he faces. Jordan put in a strong claim as “top 2017 prospect in state” today.
Will Pottebaum of SD Attack. At the half Will had 14 points (one more than his opponents) highlighted by a pair of threes but it was his second half effort that put the game away. There was a stretch where Pottbaum hit his third three of the game, went the other direction to force a turnover with his defense, pushed the other way and drew the defense in for a Tyus Arends three, and then hit foul shots before coming out of the game. At that point he had done enough. Scored 21 for the game.
Hunter Sand of ECI. ECI had five guys in double figures in their first game win but Hunter Sand was another that stood out as extra impressive. Scored 15 points including a pair of deep threes and a pair of hard driving attacks finished after taking contact. The thing that really stood out was how Hunter read the defense and took advantage of whatever was given. When he saw his man slowly rotate the jumper was made. When he saw the defense rotate late he attacked it, and when he saw a defender shift late or over help he moved the ball to the guy in that area.
Trae Steckler of ND Phenom. Trae’s team lost but it sure wasn’t for a lack of effort. The physical battler went at the Rise frontline with pivots into muscle scored and he did it time and time again for his 18 points. Again, with Trae Steckler it’s a “I’ll do what you need me to do today” role and he is willing, and often capable to play whatever role.
Jaron Zwagerman of SD Attack. This is a 6-foot-4 senior with an underrated shooting hand. With guys telling him to move the ball Jaron took it upon himself to put the game away with a three (20 point win at the two minute mark). Jaron floated in a make, hit a baseline jumper, completed around the basket, and is consistently one of the toughest players on the floor.
Lake Region State offered GFRR/ND Phenom wing Jordan Polynice after his game this evening pic.twitter.com/wm6mqoITEc
— Prep Hoops Dakotas (@PrepHoopsDakota) June 30, 2017