Wells Fargo Advisors Shootout Session I Prospect Preview (Part I)
The second annual Wells Fargo Advisors Shootout tips off this coming Saturday, January 11th, at Coe College, with seven games on the slate. We get started with Don Bosco vs. Alburnett at 11:00 am, and conclude with Cedar Rapids Kennedy…
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Continue ReadingThe second annual Wells Fargo Advisors Shootout tips off this coming Saturday, January 11th, at Coe College, with seven games on the slate. We get started with Don Bosco vs. Alburnett at 11:00 am, and conclude with Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. St. James Academy (KS), with tip scheduled for 8:00 pm, and plenty of quality basketball in between. Below, we run through nine of the prospects that you should keep an eye on during this first session of action.
NOTE: The games scheduled for Saturday, January 11 have been postponed to Saturday, February 1 at a TBD location.
2020 G Zach Huff (Don Bosco)
The 6-1 senior guard was “Robin” to Jack Kelley’s “Batman” for the last few years, but with Kelley graduated, the Dons are Huff’s team, and he has been dominant this season, averaging 26.4 points a game and shooting 45% from behind the arc. A well-built guard with a lightning quick release and the ability to get his shot off from anywhere, Huff can fill it up in a hurry, and is someone that Alburnett will really need to account for.
2020 F Nick Reid (Central City)
Reid is headed to play his college ball at D2 Emporia State (KS). After leading the state in scoring last season, his scoring has dropped a bit this season (“down” to 27.8 points a game), but his efficiency is better and the Wildcats have been more successful as a team. A 6-7 wing who is capable of shooting it from the arc, he’s more comfortable scoring from the mid-range and getting to the rim, using his size, length, athleticism and skill to score at will.
2021 F Caleb Schlaak (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
Following the transfers of Tyler Andrews and Jack Wetzel, who led the team in scoring last season and both transferred to out-of-state prep schools, a ton of shots opened up with Schlaak and other Cougars, and the 6-7 forward has taken advantage of the extra opportunities. He’s averaging 16.2 points a game, shooting 53.5% from the floor and has blocked 14 shots so far this season. A rangy, athletic combo forward who runs the floor and can score inside and out, Schlaak is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.
2020 SG Jake Auer (Valley)
A 6-0 senior guard, Auer was a solid bench scorer last year for the Tigers, and has really burst onto the scene this season, averaging 16.4 points a game and leading the team with 13 steals. A good shooter off both the dribble and the catch, he showed how explosive he can be when he dropped 34 points in a narrow loss to top ranked Waukee before the holiday break.
2021 PG Ty Walker (Valley)
A transfer from Des Moines Roosevelt, Walker is a quick, athletic guard who can shoot it a bit but is at his best when he’s playing downhill and getting to the rim, either to finish or to set up his teammates. He leads the Tigers with 23 assists and is averaging 13.9 points a game.
2020 PG John Steffen (Linn-Mar)
Steffen leads the Lions at 15.0 points a game. While his efficiency has dropped, it’s partially due to the fact that Linn-Mar lost so much from last year’s team, and he’s being asked to take on a much larger scoring role. He’s capable of getting red-hot and carrying a team, it’s only a matter of time.
2020 F Brady Klahn (Linn-Mar)
A 6-3 combo forward, Klahn leads the Lions with 18 assists and is averaging 13.5 points a game, shooting over 50% from the floor. A talented forward who can score inside and out, he’s a crafty scorer with the ability to do a little bit of everything on the court.
2020 PF Andre Brandon (Liberty)
Brandon suffered an Achilles injury in April but has made it back and is contributing for the Lightning, averaging a team-high 12.3 points and 8.9 rebounds. He’s got good footwork and touch around the rim, and when he’s not falling in love with the mid-range jumper, he can score at will on the block.
2020 GF Bradley Andrews (Charles City)
The 6-6 wing has been fantastic this season for the Comets, stepping into the primary scoring role that Jackson Molstead held, and averaging 16.1 points (on 52.9% shooting) with 7.9 rebounds and 18 blocks. A lefty guard with a smooth stroke, he can protect the paint, stretch the floor and get to the rim for tough finishes.