#HardWorkSZN Kickoff Saturday Standouts
APPLETON — The 2020 Prep Hoops Hard Work Season Kickoff continued from Champion Athletic Center on Saturday. Here’s a look at some of the top individual performances from the action on day two… Jamiir Allen – 2023 – G –…
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Continue ReadingAPPLETON — The 2020 Prep Hoops Hard Work Season Kickoff continued from Champion Athletic Center on Saturday. Here’s a look at some of the top individual performances from the action on day two…
Jamiir Allen – 2023 – G – ABC Young Lions
Allen’s defense ignited him and his team as the ABC Young Lions cruised to a Saturday morning win. In what was a close contest early, Allen changed the game by generating a few steals that led to transition buckets. From there, his confidence just soared as Allen knocked down a couple of triples to blow the game open. A plus-length guard who can play the point or off the ball, Allen is also a smooth operator offensively. He’s a good left-hand finisher and shows excellent touch around the rim with some running floaters.
Grant Asman Grant Asman 6'11" | PF Kimberly | 2021 State WI – 2021 – F – Wisconsin Crusaders
Asman had 16 points in a loss to a good Wisconsin Independent team. Coming off the bench with his new team, Asman slowly inserted himself into the game and then provided a lift in the frontcourt. The 6-foot-8 forward shot the ball well from the outside, showed skill down on the block, and created mismatch opportunities by putting the ball on the deck.
Logan Arndt Logan Arndt 6'2" | SG Oconomowoc | 2023 State WI – 2023 – W – ABC Young Lions
This is without a doubt one of the bigger stock boosters of the weekend. Arndt has looked fantastic this weekend and is contributing across the board. The Oconomowoc standout is physically advanced for his age, coupled with his constant energy on the floor, it’s given the ABC Young Lions a huge boost. While he’s a blue collar, high motor kid, Arndt also has plenty of offensive skill and flash. He can create off the bounce or shoot from all areas of the floor, making defenders pick their poison. Arndt also gets the dirty work done — blocking/altering shots, rebounding, getting on the floor for loose balls, and creating the offensive glass.
Dustin Beauprey Dustin Beauprey 6'3" | PG Mt Top Christian | 2021 State WI – 2021 – PG – Wisconsin Crusaders
One of the best kept secrets in the state, Beauprey had two strong outings on Saturday. A strong and skilled guard that can absolutely score the rock, Beauprey is dangerous when the ball is in his hands. The 6-foot-3 senior has break-you-down ability and can either create space off the dribble or go right into the chest of defenders and move them out of the way. While he’s a high scorer, Beauprey also has floor instincts and lead guard skills. He’s a nice combination of an isolation scorer and floor general, who can get others involved and provide a calming presence on the floor.
Drew Biber Drew Biber 6'3" | SF Cedarburg | 2021 State WI – 2021 – SF – Wisconsin Playground Club
Thought Biber was instrumental for PGC in their late night win over Illinois HoopStars. In a physical game, the Northern Illinois commit helped set a ton with tough putbacks, gritty defensive plays, and timely 3-pointers. The 6-foot-5 small forward is a nice utility player. He doesn’t get bogged down in how many shots he takes per game. Biber just looks to contribute by any means and if there’s a play to be made, the Cedarburg product generally came through.
Josiah Butler Josiah Butler 6'3" | CG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2022 State WI – 2022 – SG – Wisconsin Crusaders
A new addition to the rankings, Butler proved his worth Saturday afternoon. The Fox Valley Lutheran standout is a natural scorer who takes what the defense gives him. Butler has adequate size (6-2), can score from all three levels, and takes high percentage shots. Putting the ball in the hole in a variety of ways, Butler looked good as a spot-up shooter and when defenders got aggressive with him, was able to put the ball on the deck and create shots that way.
Carter Capstran Carter Capstran 6'6" | PF Franklin | 2021 State WI – 2021 – PF – Wisconsin Independent
Let’s face it — this was a weekend to help the kids get their feet under them and shake off the rust after four-plus months away from real basketball. There weren’t many guys I watched and thought, ‘They’re playing their best ball today.’ Capstran was an exception to the rule. Capstran had 19 points in a high-level contest against the Wisconsin Crusaders. The 6-foot-6 forward just looked really good with his ability to score with either hand around the rim, take people off the dribble, and knock down tough fall-away jumpers from 12-15 feet. Always knew Capstran could shoot from all areas of the floor, but he looks a little more athletic, a little more skilled, and more complete than I remember last summer. It’s obvious he’s been working and should be on a lot of Division 2 radars.
Jacob Dietz Jacob Dietz 6'3" | SG Neenah | 2021 State WI – 2021 – W – Wisconsin Crusaders
Dietz shot the ball well throughout the day. The Neenah standout moves well without the ball, sets his feet, and has a quick release. Dietz has little trouble getting into a zone and feeds off his teammates drive and dish ability very well. A bigger guard/wing with some versatility, Dietz likes to use his muscle on the block and times and showed some nice flashes of being able to score through the chest of defenders or hit fall away jumpers.
Chris Djurasovic – 2023 – PF – Chapman Basketball Academy
Despite a losing effort, Djurasovic showed a lot of promise Saturday morning. A 6-foot-4 sophomore with good size, skill, and mobility, Djurasovic did a lot of damage around the basket. Djurasovic did a nice job of getting into high percentage areas, making himself available for easy post entry passes, and finishing without much hesitation in traffic. The Homestead product is an active big that rebounds, protects the rim, and communicates with his teammates defensively. He finished with 20 points in Saturday’s loss.
Sam Haese Sam Haese 6'3" | SF Wrightstown | 2021 State WI – 2021 – SF – Wisconsin Blizzard
Haese hit some big time shots down the stretch, including a game-winner with just seconds remaining to lift the Blizzard past the Wisconsin Playmakers. In a tightly contested battle, Haese hit three huge triples in the last final minutes. The 6-foot-3 senior has a big, strong frame, but is also an effortless catch-and-shoot wing. He used his strength well as a slasher, bodying defenders at the bucket or out-muscling people on the offensive glass.
Parker Lawrence Parker Lawrence 6'0" | PG Hortonville | 2021 State WI – 2021 – PG – Wisconsin Blizzard
Lawrence is a player. He might not pass the eye test, but that probably plays into his advantage when defenders size him up. The Hortonville standout is a very good athlete with great burst on the ball. Using a quick first step, Lawrence can shake his man in the open floor and create a jumper or get right to the rim. In transition, Lawrence has a noticeable edge and often can beat people up and down the floor by a couple of steps. One thing that continues to stand out as well — he’s a game who enjoys competition and doesn’t have an off switch.
Cade Meyer Cade Meyer 6'8" | PF Monroe | 2021 State #237 Nation WI – 2021 – F – Wisconsin Playground Club
High major offers are flying around across the country. It seems ridiculous that this kid doesn’t have at least one. Meyer came out and quickly showed improvement after a breakout summer in 2019. The 6-foot-8 forward has expanded his skillset to be able to handle the ball in transition and shoot on the move. Meyer looked a lot more comfortable with the ball in his hands and the ability to create and attack off the dribble. An explosive athlete, Meyer also had some big time blocks at the rim. When you factor in his athleticism, consistent 3-point shooting ability, and the fact he doesn’t have a very long basketball background, Meyer is without a doubt still flying under the radar for what his offer list should be right now.
Brian Parzych Brian Parzych 6'2" | PG Wauwautosa East | 2021 State WI – 2021 – PG – Wisconsin Independent
Parzych had one of his best individual performances in a win over Wisconsin Crusaders. It started with just constant energy that carried over to his teammates. The Wauwatosa East standout is always going 100 MPH on both ends of the floor. He has a unique ability to pressure people and get physical without fouling defensively. That led to a number of turnovers on Saturday. Offensively, Parzych constantly pushed the tempo. The lefty can get coast-to-coast with the basketball and he’ll knock down his open 3-pointers. An underrated passer, Parzych delivered some beautiful assists in the open floor to cap off one of the best performances of the day, which included a game-high 20 points.
Tanner Resch Tanner Resch 6'0" | PG Hamilton | 2021 State WI – 2021 – G – Wisconsin Swing
Resch had two solid performances on Saturday. You appreciate a prospect like this because he hasn’t allowed himself to be defined by one particular part of his game. At 5-foot-11, Resch came up as a spot-up, long-range shooter. Frankly, he could have been content and continued to make a nice living that way. However, Resch has steadily rounded out his game. He’s more of an undersized two-guard, but Resch has some point guard skills. He’s much better as an attacker off the bounce and is fearless going to the rim. I also think he doesn’t get enough credit for how good of an athlete he is. Resch has good upper body strength, can take a shot at the rim, and will dunk if given the opportunity.
Joe Reuter Joe Reuter 6'4" | SG Chippewa Falls | 2021 State WI – 2021 – SG – Wisconsin Playmakers Siler
Reuter boosted his stock in a big way. Scoring 24 points in a loss to the Wisconsin Blizzard, Reuter scored the ball effectively at all three levels. The 6-foot-4 sniper has a silky smooth stroke from beyond the arc. He can free himself off screens and release the ball before the defender has to time to challenge. Reuter gets it done beyond the arc and in the mid-range, able to fall away and hit from 12-18 feet. The Chippewa Falls standout isn’t just a shooter either, he’s a worker. Reuter created a handful of second chance opportunities by hunting down misses and generating putback scores.
Cole Sciortino – 2023 – SG – Champman Basketball Academy
Sciortino has plenty of tools to work with and has the makings of being a quality two-guard. A sleeper in the 2023 class right now, Sciortino can do a little bit of everything. The Menomonee Falls native looks like a two-way player that gives equal effort on both ends. Sciortino shoots it well from all areas of the floor and has a feel for when to take the outside shot versus trying to get in the mid-range or all the way to the bucket.
Deshawn Webb Deshawn Webb 6'3" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2023 State WI – 2023 – G/W – Wisconsin Playground Club
Webb is a very intriguing prospect with a terrific upside. The 6-foot-3 sophomore can play anywhere on the wing and spends a lot of time at the point. He’s got lead guard instincts as someone who can run the pick n’ roll and make decisions. Webb did a great job of getting downhill and to the rim all game long. If he didn’t finish, Webb was often at the free throw line. You look at Webb physically and see the combination of long arms and athleticism — there’s a chance to be special if he continues to work.
Willie Williams – 2024 – Wisconsin Rise
Williams was a man among boys in a 14U contest to kick things off Saturday morning. A talented incoming freshman for Racine Park, Williams is a strong, athletic guard that can create off the dribble and cause havoc defensively. Using his explosive handles, Williams got to the rim at will in a win over Team Iowa. After a made bucket, Williams likes to pressure full court and was able to come up with a handful of steals on Saturday. There’s a noticeable swagger and confidence with Williams, who looks like he could be an instant impact freshman for Park next season.