South Dakota Open Period – New Names to Know
Who are some of the players that PHD learned about during this weekend’s South Dakota Open Period? Here are those names! Braden Brandiet of Viborg-Hurley (5’9, SG, 2021). Braden’s calling card is his jumper. Players rushing hard at his attempts,…
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Continue ReadingWho are some of the players that PHD learned about during this weekend’s South Dakota Open Period? Here are those names!
Braden Brandiet of Viborg-Hurley (5’9, SG, 2021). Braden’s calling card is his jumper. Players rushing hard at his attempts, defenders in position but hands down not ready for the shot, or wide open without a defender in the way, it doesn’t matter, Braden knocks shots down. Handles the ball all right too but it’s his shooting touch that impressed.
Noah Gilbertson of Vermillion (6’4, PF, 2021). The 205 pound power forward stepped into a record breaking amount of charges this year putting his frontcourt frame in the perfect position to take contact. He’s also a very good mid-range jump shooter and a quality deep post passer. Double figure scoring threat that scored 10-11 points a game with 6-7 boards a night. High percentage finisher and a gutty consistent player. Moves so well into and out of the screen in the high pick and roll game.
Sam Palmer of Dell Rapids-St Mary (6’2, SG, 2021). Sam is a left handed wing with a solid touch at the arc and he will be a three year starter. Scored 8-9 a game as a third option for his team plus he was a solid rebounder for his size and a steady position defender. A player that we could see approaching the 37-38 percent area as a three point shooter next winter.
Sam Rohlfs of Aberdeen Central (6’2, SG, 2022). More and more as the season moved on the Golden Eagles were able to count on Sam for more offense. When Sam caught the defense with his initial ball attack it was an eye opener. Rohlfs has a quick first step that he used to get to the basket and to draw in defenders to move the ball to the other side of the floor, or hit an open jumper. Surely a player that looks to be a top 35-40 guy in his class at least.
Connor Saunders of Vermillion (5’11, SG, 2021). Saunders gave the Tanagers a couple scores each night but what got him on the floor was his hustle and his steady play. Saunders ability to fight to defensive position through bodies and to win angles really caught my attention. His technique and positioning was outstanding plus he’s a solid three point shooter.
Tahj Two Bulls of SF Roosevelt (6’4, PF, 2021). Two Bulls came off the bench and was solid the first time around but the next couple times on the floor he certainly grabbed our attention. Two Bulls is stronger than nearly everybody that takes the floor on the other side so when he catches the ball deep he’s usually on balance to finish plays. He held the leverage on each opponent in the paint, Two Bulls rebounded well, and even faced up and knocked down a shot at the arc.
Charlie Ward of Vermillion (5’10, PG, 2022). Charlie was the 6th man this year for Vermillion after of course playing quarterback for the football team (just like Heisman winning Florida State QB Charlie Ward who playing PG for the New York Knicks). Ward had a solid game handling the ball, defending Lennox guards in a steady way, and then late in the game his 50 foot attack was a huge score. Ward also made late foul shots but it was the hesitation dribble that froze the initial defender and the pair of help defenders allowing Charlie to blitz to the rim to finish.