Hard Work Finals: Best of Friday 16U
Off to Bloomington Jefferson for preliminary 16U action in the Prep Hoops Hard Work Finals! Friday afternoon gave plenty of fun games with these players standing out: Ben Holden (6-5 C, MN Lightning/Cleveland) – Fascinating to watch Ben’s versatility as an…
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Continue ReadingOff to Bloomington Jefferson for preliminary 16U action in the Prep Hoops Hard Work Finals! Friday afternoon gave plenty of fun games with these players standing out:
Ben Holden (6-5 C, MN Lightning/Cleveland) – Fascinating to watch Ben’s versatility as an immovable post defender and pick-and-pop specialist, Marc Gasol-like. He lost three inches to the two 6-foot-8 towers for H.I.T. (IL) but they had no way to move around or through him on the block. He knocked out multiple long-distance jumpers as well displaying a soft touch that will likely get him to a healthy 15-18 per game in the winter for Cleveland.
Dashawn Linnen (6-1 G, MN Lightning/Lake Mills, IA) – This crafty guard moves the ball quickly and attacks gaps with no hesitation. Loved how he slashed a couple times to the bucket on slow H.I.T. rotations for layups. Looks like a guy who can make some serious impact at the small school level just south of the MN border.
Odin Lium (6-5 F, H.I.T./Oswego East, IL) – Lium fits maybe my favorite type of player: lengthy wing who cuts excellently and is aggressive to the rim without being chaotic. Had some really smart moves to the basket without the ball and he rebounded very efficiently too.
Caden Boettcher (6-3 F, Heat Wiley/Maple Grove) – After watching Caden a couple times last winter and being thoroughly impressed that he was inserted as a State team starter for the entire season, I was hopeful to see him this summer doing more of the same. He did even more than that, firing off four bombs to bring Heat Wiley back into a tight one with Fury Syverson on Friday. He totaled 17 points in the loss to lead the way along with collecting close to 10 rebounds. This is a 2021 who will definitely see a boost in stock throughout the next calendar year.
Cole Sorenson (6-0 G, Heat Wiley/Mounds View) – Heat was falling behind late in half one, but a 7-0 burst that Sorenson created by applying high pressure on the ball got them back in it. Love the Mustang’s energy on D and he converted layups against contesting hands too.
Ryan Miles (6-4 F, Fury Syverson/Richfield) – Big fan of the slipperiness Miles displays. It seemed no Heat defender could stay in front or contest his mid-lane floater. Scored 13 to lead his team in the win and I bet he plays a big role in scoring for the Spartans next winter as a junior.
Nolan Loehr (6-3 F, Fury Syverson/Rosemount) – Remember that name? Little brother came along and is making a name for himself! Loehr is a lefty shooter who hit some big triples to extend the Fury lead over and over throughout the game. Strong, wide frame but flashed agility on both ends Friday. Every team needs a knockdown spacer like him and it proved very valuable for Fury.
BONUS: 15U!
Justin Wohlers (6-4 G, MN Lightning/Lake City) – He saw some time as a freshman for powerhouse Lake City and now is taking matters into his own hands to be an even more deadly weapon for the AA title contenders. Wohlers hit four treys and scored 21 to lead the way in a big win for Lightning Ellerbusch in round one of 15s play. His size and range combo (I think he’s grown an inch or two since the winter) will be tough to beat, especially when defenses are focused on Gastner and Heise. Very promising day for the sophomore-to-be.
Emmanuel Manyuon (6-4 F, MN Lightning/Austin) – The cupboard continues to be restocked with rangy, defensive-minded wings down in Austin. Emmanuel Manyuon was active on D grabbing deflections and running the floor, plus he knew his spacing responsibilities in the halfcourt offense. Looks like a good player, along with fellow Packer Victor Idris.