Top Prospects from Rogers-Puyallap’s Last Minute Win Against Lake City
This weekend, Lake City High School hosted a great holiday tournament featuring some of the best teams in the region. During this tournament, I was finally able to get a good look at prospects from Lake City High School and…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend, Lake City High School hosted a great holiday tournament featuring some of the best teams in the region. During this tournament, I was finally able to get a good look at prospects from Lake City High School and Rogers from Puyallap. Here are the top prospects from those teams:
Jack Kiesbuy 2021, 6’5” Wing: Lake City
Kiesbuy is Prep Hoops Idaho’s #11 overall player for 2021. With an extremely long wing-span and good height for an offensive perimeter player, it is no surprise that Kiesbuy is already turning heads around the state. A player who has been a starter on varsity every year of his high school career, Kiesbuy has a good feel for the game. He is a southpaw who can shoot the outside shot, attack the hoop, has a good floater in the lane, and has one of the best mid-range pull-up jumpers that I have seen this year. Trailing by three in the waning seconds, Kiesbuy was the player trusted by his team to take the last second shot to tie the game. Kiesbuy wisely pulled up several feet behind the line to eliminate defensive pressure, the shot itself looked good, but just rimmed out.
Jace Barrett 2020, 6’2” Guard: Rogers-Puyallup
Barrett is the #24 overall player for Prep Hoops Washington and has committed to the University of Washington. A lefty guard who was the best shooter on the court who already has college 3-point range, Barrett looks poised to be a scorer at the next level. He has a great pump fake that he uses to get defenders off-balance to attack the hoop. Barrett has a solid floater in the lane. He was the second highest scorer in any game on the 2nd day of the Lake City Invitational. Defensively, he is a very instinctive defender who relies on good timing and a high basketball IQ. He had a nice block of the 6’5” Kiesbuy in the first half. During the game, I was sitting next to the son of the head coach of Rogers who also graduated from Rogers last year. We both agreed that Barrett can ball.
Matti Turco 2020, 6’2” Guard: Rogers-Puyallup
Turco was the best on-ball defender on the court. He has long arms, quick feet, and fast hands that led to steals and a tough day for whoever he was guarding on any given play. Offensively, he has a quick release floater and a fast first step to get into the lane. He did make a couple of 3’s but he has a low release on his shot still. All-in-all, Turco was an excellent defender with some offensive skills that would make him a nice 3-and-D guy for a college program.
Zach Johnson 2023, 6’3” Wing: Lake City
A starter as a freshman, Johnson is full of potential and is someone we will be writing about on Prep Hoops Idaho for years to come. He is already a good shooter and has a good feel for attacking the hoop. He is physical and and uses that physicality while getting to the bucket to complete strong finishes. He has good hands on defense and was tasked with guarding Barrett for most of the game.
Tyrese Rios 2020, 6’2” Wing: Rogers-Puyallup
In many ways, Rios was a Swiss army knife for Rogers. Finishing with 12 points, 6 boards, and a pair of blocked shots, Rios jumped center at the beginning of the game, played in the post on offense, and would guard wings on the other side of the ball. He is incredibly strong, was the most athletic player on the court, had speed, quick first step, defensive instincts, and hops. When I think about what type of player that Rios projects at in the next level, I think of Tony Allen. I wouldn’t want him taking any 3’s, but I would feel extremely confident with him guarding the opposing team’s best player.
Varick Meredith 2023, 6’2” Wing: Lake City
One of three freshmen starters for Lake City, Meredith stood out to me as a player that scouts, coaches, and recruiters will be keeping an eye on for the next few years. Like Johnson, Meredith is a 6’2”-6’3” wing who can play strong driving to the hoop and has the ability to shoot from outside. He is certainly a player to watch going forward as his game continues to develop.
Bonus Player:
Tyson Rogalette 2020, 6’3” Wing: Mead
I was able to watch Coeur d’Alene High play Mead before the Rogers-Lake City game. I have written about CHS a couple of times already this season, but a player that stood out to me in this game was Tyson Rogalett. The highest scoring player of the day at 22 points, Rogalette impressed me with the ways in which he could score. He was the best 3-point shooter on either team. If a shorter defender was put on him, he would immediately take him in the post and either get a layup or a free-throw. Rogalette is a strong basketball player and appears college ready.
Extra Note:
During the game, I was able to catch-up with Devin Johnson from Coeur d’Alene High. The senior guard has been recovering from a knee injury suffered during football season and appears poised to return as soon as next week.