Grand View Team Camp: Five Takeaways
Jacob Townsend Townsend is on His Way It’s not as though Townsend came into this event an unknown player, we were very well aware of his abilities. He showed out at out Prep Hoops Expo last fall, and was highlighted…
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Continue ReadingTownsend is on His Way
It’s not as though Townsend came into this event an unknown player, we were very well aware of his abilities. He showed out at out Prep Hoops Expo last fall, and was highlighted as a standout 2021 prospect, we have him ranked No. 37 in prospect rankings. He’ll definitely rise in the next installment of rankings after this past weekend’s performance. He was the best player on the floor Saturday (it should be noted that several top Iowa prospects were playing in the Midwest Showcase). Townsend was doing what he wanted offensively, using speed, strength, skill and athleticism to finish extremely efficiently around the rim. We expect him to be up around 15-20 points per game next season.
Dawson Forgy
Winterset Will Be Dangerous
Easton Darling wasn’t at Grand View last weekend, he was participating as a top 40 Iowa player at the Midwest Showcase in Missouri. But his absence only proved to reiterate how good the Huskies could be next season. Guys like Dawson Forgy and Hunter Farr were more than capable guards that helped fill the void left by Darling. In fact, only one senior graduated from last season’s state semifinals Winterset squad. Granted, it was star player Casey Kleemeier, but still, the Huskies have enough firepower to make another run to Wells Fargo Arena next winter.
Nolan Otten is Key
The Ankeny big man is now heading into his fourth season as a varsity player with the Hawks, and he sure looked like it last weekend in a win over Van Meter. Otten has never posted big numbers, but has been an effective post player for the Hawks. The burly 6’3 center missed games his freshman and sophomore season before playing in nearly all games last season as a junior. If Otten can remain healthy throughout this season, and assert himself as a crafty and wily veteran in the paint, it could change the whole dynamic of this guard-heavy Hawks squad. If Otten can average 10 points and effectively body the other team’s big man on D, this team could go a long way.
PV D’s Up
Pleasant Valley is known for defense, last season they were again among the best defensive teams in Iowa, allowing a mere 45.9 points per game. That tough defensive approach has stayed with them through the summer. The Spartans held Norwalk to a single digit half , and actually a single digit three quarters on Saturday afternoon at Grand View. Now, the Warriors were playing with out one of the state’s most dynamic scorers, Bowen Born, and it’s next best scorer Tyler Johnson struggled mightily from the floor. Still, though, allowing a team to score just 12 points in a game is impressive, no matter what month it is.
Ryan VandeHaar
Surprise Top Scorer
One of our favorite things about covering these team camps is we get to unearth some of the state’s best talent, often times we get to see guys that would otherwise not be seen outside of their home towns. In this case, it’s a Pella Christian rising senior that was put onto our radar after dropping seven 3s and scoring 31 points in a win over Carroll. Ryan Vande Haar was the guy, a 6’5 wing who averaged 2.5 points per game last year as a junior certainly caught his coaches attention with the blistering 31 point outburst. With that size and that ability to shoot, we see no reason why Vande Haar won’t be a key candidate to have a breakout season next winter with the Eagles.