17u Post-Season Series: The Stock Raisers
The Grassroots season will always have players that prove themselves better than nearly everyone expected. Team by team we give you the top stock raiser from the 17u level.
Luke RonsiekSD Attack. Luke Ronsiek. Other players may have captured more headlines but the O’Gorman guard provided a steadiness that not only did his coaches appreciate, but Mount Marty and Dakota State obviously liked as well. Both programs offered scholarships.
Pentagon Schoolers. Justin Hohn. It may not be a new name to throw out, but Justin Hohn not played as expected, he played above expectations when the Prep Hoops team observed. His performances in the SPTS sent opposing coaches out of the door raving about his consistency and of course UC-Irvine was impressed as they offered a scholarship.
ECI Prospects. Maleeck Harden. Harden is from Minnesota (Moorhead) but played with ECI this year taking his game to a level that broke past the expectations many had. Harden will soon visit South Dakota State and North Dakota State, schools that made his final four list along with Sioux Falls and Minnesota State-Moorhead.
ECI Select. . Bryce Auck. Was it a coincidence that we saw a couple of the best games that Bryce Auck played this year? Or were the high percentage double figure games we saw the regular? Either way, the Bismarck Century guard flashed the potential that could lead him to a really nice senior season.
North Dakota Attack. Trey Wiest. The Mandan point guard was a distributor this winter, he was a distributor and a tougher leader for the Attack, and at times he played the combo guard role putting points on the board. Trey earned the attention of Jamestown who not only offered a scholarship, but now has Trey’s commitment.
SD Venom. Kade Stearns. The shooter from Tea Area saw two of his longtime high school teammates earn offers from D1 schools, but at some point had to think, “when is my time coming?”. It came this week as Mount Marty offered Stearns. Coach Schilling was often in the crowd when Kade scored 13 points a game for the Venom this year hitting 39 of 79 threes.
Sacred Hoops Rama. Dylan Pourier. The Prep Hoops staff saw SH Rama play several times in the spring and then a pair of writers saw them play in Kansas City. The first item talked about was how much better Dylan looked in the summer playing with so much confidence. Mount Marty recently offered Dylan a scholarship.
North Dakota Phenom. Mason Hedberg. Mason was able to step into his own spotlight a bit and have some huge games for the Phenom. The Bishop Ryan guard earned a scholarship from Jamestown and also helped Phenom to 18 wins.
BBA Force. Blair Slaughter. One of the main talkers from coaches that saw BBA Force was how Blair has a chance to have a huge senior season playing with Nick Hoyt next season. Slaughter has good size at 6-foot-4 and looks to have become a more consistent finisher.