Battle at the Lakes: Saturday Afternoon Edina Standouts
Reid Grant, 6’3 G (Kingdom Hoops Elite 15U)
A Johnston product, Grant has a very bright future ahead of him, and after playing minimal minutes as a freshman with one of Iowa’s best teams, he’s in-line to be a big piece in the Dragons’ puzzle the next three seasons. Grant is a good-sized wing with some quickness and handles, and he’s best when attacking the rim and finishing over smaller guards. He poured in 26 points during Kingdom Hoops’ shellacking of ECI Select, all of which came from inside the arc.
Payton Sandfort, 6’5 SF (Kingdom Hoops Elite 15U)
There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to this Waukee hybrid wing. He’s got a sweet stroke from deep and can score in bunches while either canning 3-balls or banging in the paint. Sandfort is capable of making shots in a variety of ways, and was most impressive when hitting a tough, contested running floater late during a win over ECI Select. Waukee’s got yet anther very good one coming through the ranks
Nathaniel Mueller, 5’6 PG (Kingdom Hoops Elite 15U)
After a quiet first half against ECI Select, Mueller came out in the second like he was shot from a cannon. And, not coincidentally, his team erupted when Mueller started to do his damage. He’s a game-changer and a top-notch playmaker who makes his teammates better when he’s on top of his game. This ADM point guard is small, but oh so effective; and with blow-by ability, high-level vision and shot-making ability, he’ll be one to keep a close eye on the next three seasons.
Zachary Rizzuti, 6’2 G (All Iowa Attack Red 15U)
It’s been a very good weekend for this Panorama guard, who sometimes, it seems, gets overshadowed by the big three of Connor Drews, Karson Sharar and Angelo Winkel. However, Rizzuti has been as good as the rest of the bunch in helping to lead his Attack squad to a platinum bracket quarterfinals berth. He’s been knocking in 3s, rebounding well from the guard spot and attacking the rim and finishing with regularity. Tough and skilled, there’s not a lot this young guard isn’t capable of.
Angelo Winkel, 6’7 (All Iowa Attack 15U)
Winkel is often the X-factor for his Attack squad. A team that’s advanced to the platinum division quarterfinals. Some teams don’t have a true big-man, and Winkel plays that role for the elite Iowa squad. He’s athletic, tall, and has some nice length; he grabs rebounds right off the rim, and before eager and aggressive guards can sneak in and steal one, he’s there to snare it. Offensively, he’s got an array of ways to score. Winkel will be a sure top-10 2021 guy when the prospect rankings are released this fall.
Cam Davis, 5’10 PG (Iowa Barnstormers 15U)
He was the best playmaker for the Iowa Barnstormers in their Sweet 16 bout against against All Iowa Attack. Davis led his squad in scoring, notching 14 points in the overtime loss, and was getting all of his buckets at the rim, where he’s able to finish tough shots around much bigger opponents. It’s his quickness that sets him apart, and his handles are a strength. He’ll look to be a key player with Dubuqe, Hempstead the next three seasons.
Nick Wagner, 6’5 C (Iowa Barnstormers 15U)
Although he gives up some inches at times while playing in the post, Wgner is seldom outdone. He’s got some nice length, which compensates for his relative lack of height, and his technique in the post is stellar. Wagner is a guy who takes his role as the ‘Stomers primary post presence very seriously, and is not one to leave his post to try and handle from the perimeter or can a 3-ball, like most post players will attempt these days. He’s a workmanlike center, who boxes out and scores cleverly around the rim.
Connor Drew, 6’6 PF (All Iowa Attack 15U)
Drew scored five straight points to bridge regulation and OT against the Iowa Barnstormers, and they may have been the most important five points of the tournament so far for Attack. It was tough sledding for this big, fiery power forward during the Sweet 16 match against the Barnstormers, but when his team needed him most, he came through. The Ballard big-man scored the game-tying bucket at the buzzer, and that make completed a massive comeback by his Attack squad and got them to OT. That’s where he scored the first three points which would ultimately be enough to keep the ‘Stormers at bay and catapult his ultra-talented Attack squad into the platinum division quarterfinals.