Hoops Intensity Training Practice: Evaluations
In this article:
We were at Timothy Christian High School on Thursday night to check out Prep Hoops Circuit squad Hoops Intensity Training. This group has continued to grow over the last few years under Bill Baldridge and Todd Koering. They are primed…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe were at Timothy Christian High School on Thursday night to check out Prep Hoops Circuit squad Hoops Intensity Training. This group has continued to grow over the last few years under Bill Baldridge and Todd Koering. They are primed for a big spring and summer on the circuit with several prospects primed to breakout! Here is a look at what we saw out of their 17U and 16U groups!
PG Taaj Davis (Aurora Christian – 2020)
Davis is a slick handling point guard that can really go! Crisp ball handler that showed well in the drills portion because of his attention to detail and high skill level. His usual reliable floater game wasn’t falling, but he did damage in other ways. Pushed it in transition with his speed. Often drew defenders on dribble penetration kicking to open shooters. Sound shooter that can knock down pull up threes at a solid rate.
PF Sam Schultz (Oswego East – 2020)
Schultz was the top prospect in the gym. The 6’8” four man has broad shoulders, strong frame, mobility, and skill. Early on he struggled finishing around the hoop, but once the scrimmages got going his intensity turned up a notch. The pick and pop four showcased some of that with his ability to stretch the floor out to beyond the arc. Also had a sweet spin move on the block. Got on the glass for a put back. One of the more intriguing four men in the class because of his ability to score inside and outside.
PG Jack Baldridge (Timothy Christian – 2020)
Baldridge is a combo guard that was playing in his home gym. He showed well shooting in the drills and in the scrimmage part connecting on a sweet lefty three from the wing.
F Marcus Skeete (Waubonsie Valley – 2020)
Skeete is a 6’5” strong bodied combo forward. He has slimmed down some from last summer which has helped with his mobility. The 2020 forward is a good rebounder in traffic. He has improved his handles being able to put the ball on the deck with more comfort. Hit a three. His passing is an underrated part of his game that came on strong during the high school season.
SG Lance Mosley (DePaul Prep – 2020)
Mosley is new to the HIT program, but will fit right in. The DePaul Prep wing is coming off a strong second half to his high school season. Athletic wing that can shoot it. He knocked down several triples with a smooth looking stroke. Starting to understand how to utilize his athleticism.
SG Grayson Goetz (Oswego East – 2020)
Skilled and tough shooting guard that has a chance to develop into a nice small college player.
SF Odin Lium (Oswego East – 2021)
Lium continues to intrigue us each time we see him. Long and rangy frame with a lot of physical upside from a developmental standpoint. He has continued to grow since we last saw him. Runs the floor hard. Pure form on the jump shot. Competes on the glass and will be even better at that once he gets stronger.
C Luke Braman (Roanoke Benson – 2021)
Braman is one of the better sleeper posts in the 2021 class. He didn’t finish well early in 11-man, but like Shultz he picked it up in the scrimmage. Will definitely need to continue to add strength, but has the frame to do that. Finished a few dump off passes. Knocked down a baseline jumper. Hit a sweet baseline jumper. Size and tools to work with here!
PG Max Rivera (Neuqua Valley – 2021)
Rivera is a high IQ point guard that runs the show for the 16U squad. Pushes in the open floor and makes sound decisions with the rock. Slick ball handler that plays with poise.
SF Tyler Van Eekeren (Benet – 2021)
Benet continues to find these skilled multi positional wings that do a little bit of everything. Showed smarts passing it and displaying an all-around game.
SF Danny Loch and David Loch (Taft – 2021)
These sophomore twins are guys to watch. Shooting touch and mobility at 6’5”. High academic kids that play with a motor.
PG Tommy Craven (St. Charles East – 2021)
Craven is a lead guard who displayed a nice passing feel. Mostly a pass first point guard that can knock down a three on occasion.
F Grant Johnson (Naperville North – 2021)
Johnson is a combo forward that played next to Tom Welch during the high school season. Good size, skill, and upside combination here. Showed some face up ability looking fluid knocking down a three.
SF Angelo Ognianov (Downers Grove South – 2021)
This small forward flashed some in the scrimmage portion. Capable three point shooter.