Eric’s Week 1 Evaluations: 2021
The season is underway and after the first week, we look back at our notes from the games we scouted and have evaluations for some of the top players in each contest. Here is the breakdown on the players in…
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Continue ReadingThe season is underway and after the first week, we look back at our notes from the games we scouted and have evaluations for some of the top players in each contest. Here is the breakdown on the players in the 2022 and 2023 classes from games this past week.
Khristian Lander – 6’2 PG 2021 – Evansville Reitz (IN)
***21 points, on 6/13 shooting, 6 rebounds, 7 assists against Jasper (IN)***
Lander didn’t have his bets game but even that equated to 21 points, 6 reb, and 7 assists so that alone should tell you just how good he is. His perimeter jumper was a little off and looked like he wasn’t elevating like he normally does. His vision and passing was still really good and he did well to setup guys like Owen Dease and Mar’Quan Givens. His speed is elite and he can pretty much beat everyone he will come against into the lane and it makes him tough to stop. He does look a tick slower, less explosion like he is dealing with a little something but he was still the best player on floor.
Owen Dease – 6’7 SF 2021 – Evansville Reitz (IN)
***20 points on 8/12 shooting, 4 rebounds against Jasper (IN)***
Dease has taken a big jump in the last 6 months. Now closer to 6’8 and with tons of length, Owen is starting to really take off with his offense, mainly built around his shooting. He was only 2/6 from three but he is looking quite a bit better. He excelled also this game with his scoring in transition. He uses his length and athleticism so well in the open floor and finish with a lot of creativity around the rim. He was 6/6 from the 2FG and almost all came at the rim with some tough finishes. He also showed some really good defense in this one. The promise we saw a year ago is starting to show itself.
Ethan Higgs – 6’4 SG 2021 – Evansville Reitz (IN)
***12 points on 5/11 shooting, 6 rebounds against Jasper (IN)***
Higgs looked as well as we have ever seen him. He’s very aggressive, tough at the rim, and very quick. There is something to be said for turning it up a gear and making it noticeable, he has done that. His ball handling looks pretty good right now and is handling the pressure in transition really well. Does tend to take off for layups a little early causing him to make a tougher play than he needs but he’s still getting to that point right now.
Terrence Ringo – 6’5 SF 2021 – Evansville Harrison (IN)
***10 points on 3/5 shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks against Floyd Central (IN)***
Ringo is a tough forward that can play the 3/4 spot and has length and toughness to really make life difficult for opposing post players. He’s more of an interior forward but has shown in the past he can shoot it a bit. He’s great with the ball in his hands in the paint where he can be physical and bully his way to the rim. Rebounds at a pretty high level and can go track them down outside of the paint. Hd a couple nice rebound cutbacks too. Will need to clean up his free throw shooting, going 4/12 on the day. If he can get a little more size, he could really breakout in the next year. Has enough length and athleticism, just not elite height yet.
Jake Heidbreder – 6’4 SG 2021 – Floyd Central (IN)
***15 points on 5/14 shooting, 5 rebounds, 4 assists against Evansville Harrison (IN)***
Jake is a tall guard who has the ball handling ability to stay on the ball a bit but is so good as a shooter. He was great on the ball today, finding the open man and passing to setup a shot and didn’t really turnover the ball but one time. Had four assists in the game. His mainly a shooter and while he knocked down a few, his dribble-drive game was the bigger takeaway. Really good using his frame to take the bump and finish. He’s trending more towards playing on the ball now.
Isaiah Swope – 5’10 PG 2021 – Castle (IN)
***23 points, 8/18 shooting, 4/7 from three, 5 assists against Southridge (IN)***
Swope is a talented lead guard who has a ton of speed and quickness mixed with ball handling that can be pretty impressive. He was so quick on transition plays and had a couple high-end plays there. He had a special spin-move that drew a foul going at full speed. Finishing ability around the rim needs to be cleaned a bit but he gets a ton or chances to do it. He got his jumper going well early in the fourth quarter and really was able to land on some pull-ups. Looks better as a pull-up guy than a catch-and-shoot right now. Skill is stellar but he will need a little more polish but could be a breakout contender this year.
Bob Nunge – 6’5 SF 2021 – Castle (IN)
***8 points on 4/9 shooting, 4 rebounds against Southridge (IN)***
Nunge is a growing forward who has been getting better and better over the last year. He’s grown to have some good size and has the ability to play more as a wing forward at times. Didn’t shoot the ball well today but does have that perimeter jumper as a tool. The strength and agility are getting improved and he should have a chance to be one of those guys that is better in college than in high school. Had a nice cut across the lane with a little jumper. Also showed a mid-range jumper today too.
Camden Gasser – 5’10 PG 2021 – Southridge (IN)
***5 points on 2/3 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 assists against Castle (IN)***
Gasser is a smaller guard but has strength and a great feel for the game. He’s really adept at ready the floor and setting up his teammates well. Has a ton of confidence and looks like he can really lead a team. Didn’t look to score a ton and might need to as things develop because the shooting ability looks pretty solid. Contributes in a ton of different areas, noticeable from his deep stat line. He’s pretty quick so the rebounding looks like it should be a skill he keeps with him.
Colson Montgomery – 6’5 SG 2021 – Southridge (IN)
***16 points on 5/12 shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 assists against Castle (IN)***
Colson is a tall wing that can do some much because of his size and athleticism. Was really good early on trying to drive and attack the rim. Didn’t finish as well at the rim as he probably should but built up free throws early. The perimeter jumper was not helpful today but has shown in the past that it can be. With a little more time spent on basketball this year, will be interesting to see where he develops by the end of the year but he is not without all the skill in the world, just more about putting it all together.
Sam Sermersheim – 6’2 SF 2021 – Southridge (IN)
***10 points on 5/6 shooting, 1 rebound against Castle (IN)***
Sam is an undersized forward who was so effective around the rim in this one. He’s not a big forward but he plays tall and really is agile and creative. He can get into the defender and use his body physically to create space and finish through contact or show some finesse with it. Long term, will need to be able to stretch himself out a bit to the wing. He was a very opportunistic scorer and got his shot off quickly which helped Southridge to take advantage of it.
Cameron Banks – 6’3 SG 2021 – Evansville Central (IN)
***17 points on 6/16 shooting, 3 assists against Gibson Southern (IN)***
Banks is a big guard who has the skill to do a lot of things. He’s a really good ball handler for his size and when he wants to drive, he has the toughness and frame to beat up on nearly anyone. Floats in the lane and has a really good sense of changing direction and finishing. His shooting is solid as well but the perimeter jumper does need to get a little more production from it. He did turn the ball over a little more than he should be without his driving ability, Central might not be in the game that late.
Grant Bivens – 5’10 PG 2021 – Evansville Day (IN)
***14 points on 5/10 shooting, 4/9 from three against Mt. Vernon-Posey (IN)***
Bivens is a smaller guard but has the range and touch out well beyond the three point line. He’s a guy that can play on the ball but will want to run off screens and get free not he perimeter. Was 4/9 from three in this game. He did show that he can get into the mid-range and hit pretty well. He was good as a mid-range pull-up when needed. A little on the smaller side but has the strength to handle things against some pressure.
Brock Veatch – 6’5 C 2021 – Mt. Vernon-Posey (IN)
***5 points on 2/3 shooting, 3 rebounds against Evansville Day (IN)***
Veatch is a big bodied post player who has some decent footwork and hands. Needs to secure the ball a little more but is pretty good around the rim. Was really efficient today and looked like he could use a few more touches. He can get up and down the floor but needs to speed up a bit. Thought he did well as a rebounder as well. Can get to his spot and secure the ball pretty well.
Tyler Myers – 5’10 PG 2021 – Evansville Day (IN)
***28 points on 11/24 shooting, 10 rebounds, 3 assists against Mt. Vernon-Posey (IN)***
Tyler is a smaller guard who really took advantage his size speed and size around the rim. He was excellent on counter attacks where he finished 11/18 inside the arc with a lot coming in transition. Didn’t shoot the ball well going 0/6 but he was tough and creative around the rim where he was able to finish efficiently. He also grabbed 9 offensive rebounds as his aggressive nature and quickness was tough to overcome for Mt. Vernon. Defensively, he can get into you a bit and created 4 steals of his own to get some easy points at the other end.
Quinton Boyd – 6’5 C 2021 – North Central (IN)
***12 points on 6/9 shooting, 5 rebounds against Brownsburg (IN)***
Boyd is a big post but doesn’t have a ton of height, yet. He does, however, have the ability to play faced up in the mid-range and can really drive well at times. He’s powerful and strong and showed that against Brownsburg. He was really good in the mid-range driving and using a little runner or strong drive to finish at the rim. He was really efficient and scored a ton late in the game and early in the game but everyone kind of went quiet in the middle. His strength does allow him to be a pretty solid rebounder as he secured 4 offensive boards in this one. Not a guy that is going to stretch the floor but does have some creativeness to his game.
Jalen Clark – 6’0 PG 2021 – North Central (IN)
***3 points on 1/9 shooting, 5 rebounds against Brownsburg (IN)***
Jalen is a long, rangy guard who has a capable jumper and some handles. Lacks a little strength right now but he’s so long and should still grow a bit. Need to see a little more driving ability, had the handles but was more around the perimeter than north and south. His shot wasn’t falling well in this one mainly because the entire team seemed to be taking hectic shots and never really setting up well. When he did, you could see the ability. I think down the road he will be a pretty good on ball defender if he puts the time in. His length and size are made for it.
Pierce Thomas – 6’6 SF 2021 – Brownsburg (IN)
***14 points on 5/13 shooting, 6 rebounds against North Central (IN)***
Pierce is a tall wing with ball handling and a much improved shooting presence. You can tell, the difference in his form and release point since his freshman year is so different. Still needs to get as set as possible when he needs to shoot as it’s still off a bit when he’s floating or on the move quickly but if he’s remotely set, he’s locked in now. Did think his ball handling has really gotten better and can play either 2/3 spot depending upon what is needed. Just missed a ridiculous dunk with his shoulders above the rim. He’s close enough, this could be a true breakout year for him.
Will Leary – 6’3 SG 2021 – Carmel (IN)
***14 points against Zionsville (IN)***
Leary is a big guard/wing who really light up the basket. He’s got good size and some strength now and when he was looking to shoot, he was a little tough for some smaller guards to defend. Everything was off the catch but it was quick and high on the release. Does have some handles to play in the lane at times but is best when on the wing. Will be interesting to see what else he can add as the rebounding looked helpful too.
Deshon Burnett – 6’4 SF 2021 – Andrean (IN)
***9 points on 4/10 shooting and 1/4 from 3, 5 rebounds***
Burnett is a tall wing that has developed his ball handling enough to see his stock rise here. He is starting to utilize it more from the wing and had some really good drives against guards and wings. He knocked down a triple but his touch isn’t quite there yet. Rebounding looked really solid and is tough because he has a ton of strength and length to play with. Do want to see him become a better shooter and stretch his offense out.