South Dakota Open Period – 2021 Stock Raisers
Prep Hoops writer Ryan James evaluated players from 14 different teams this weekend. Which juniors saw their stock jump the most in those seven contests? RJ breaks it down now! Jakob Dobney of Vermillion (6’0 PG). In an important playoff…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops writer Ryan James evaluated players from 14 different teams this weekend. Which juniors saw their stock jump the most in those seven contests? RJ breaks it down now!
Jakob Dobney of Vermillion (6’0 PG). In an important playoff game Jakob Dobney was at his absolute best. His 18 points, eight steals, five rebounds, and four assists was a sharply impressive stat line but there were plays not in the box score that were even more important. His fight over a screen for that led to a steal and a transition basket late and prior to that he made the opposing lead guard uncomfortable all game. Twice Lennox tried to cross him over but Dobney was so deep in his stance he stole the ball or stopped the advance. Jakob also did a great job sucking in defenders with his attack opening up teammates both at the time, and in the future (as defenders become more aware of the attack).
Peyton Eich of Lennox (6’0 guard). Eich has a chance to grow into an outstanding 17u player and senior player. After a quality junior year what we saw from Peyton stuck in our mind. He was un-phased at clutch spots in the game when defenders closed out on his jumper. His crossover and hesitation move staggered the defense for a basket. And defensively Eich worked for three steals and two deflections battling to position.
Jackson McCormick of Sioux Falls Roosevelt (5’11 PG). McCormick has some nasty skill that can embarrass people while allowing his teammates the luxury of high percentage finishes after the pass. You don’t see many guards that set as tough of a screen as Jackson and his transition understanding of when to pounce or when to pause is excellent. Type of guard that recognizes a weakness and exploits it repeatedly with his attack or with his touch.
Grant Mikkelsen of Viborg-Hurley (6’3 PF). I was excited by how steady Grant was possession by possession. A very good face-up four man who sets quality screens and passes the ball very well for his team. Maybe not the flashy numbers of some of his teammates but a very important piece to the machine that won a lot of games.
Kade Moffitt of Sioux Falls O’Gorman (6’2 SG). Kade is another player that is far better than we were aware of. Kade has more quickness than we were aware of but also does a great job using his frame to clear space for a soft jumper or one hand score. Comfortable in using both hands to dribble attack. Looks to have the potential to be a solid percentage three point shooter and he’s a very good passer as well seeing cuts of teammates two seconds ahead of the play.
Hayden Muirhead of Sioux Falls O’Gorman (6’6 PF). It took about three or four possessions for us to realize that Hayden is one of the most underrated players in the state of South Dakota. The way Muirhead moves at his size, his face-up skill including a quality first dribble and face-up jumper from 16 feet, and how well he rebounded on both ends had us thinking about Hayden being a scholarship four man in the future. Muirhead stepped out on guards after ball screens quickly moving laterally and forcing the ball to stop it’s advance. Hayden and Eddie Meylor are going to make an excellent senior frontcourt pair.
Chayce Montagne of Dakota Valley (5’7 PG). Montagne is one of the better passers that I’ve seen as of late both on the move as well as making the right read inside the arc. Chayce shot 47 percent from the floor this year and averaged nearly six assists a contest.