Prep Hoops Top 250: Tony’s Top Performers
The annual Prep Hoops Top 250 took place in Des Moines on Saturday evening. Throughout the week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best players in the gym, in a series of articles breaking down the top…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Prep Hoops Top 250 took place in Des Moines on Saturday evening. Throughout the week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best players in the gym, in a series of articles breaking down the top scorers, defenders, passers, etc. In this article, we take a look at the top six players that Tony Roe saw at the event. He was responsible for covering teams 1, 2, 7, 9, 10 and 16, so all players that he writes about this week will come from those teams. The other teams will be covered by Josh Block and Richard Stockton.
SF Quincy Underwood Quincy Underwood 6'5" | SF Cedar Rapids Washington | 2021 State IA (Cedar Rapids Washington – 2021)
Underwood was perhaps the biggest surprise of the day on the six teams I covered. The 6-3 wing was dynamic on both ends of the floor, showcasing an all-around scoring ability and some ability on the defensive end. He played under control and showed the ability to score from all three levels with a much improved jumper. He has the frame and a willingness to post up smaller defenders, and he can get to the rim off the dribble. He rebounded at a high level on both ends of the floor, and has the size and athleticism to be a solid defender of multiple positions.
PG Chase Henderson Chase Henderson 6'0" | PG Hoover | 2023 State IA (Hoover – 2023)
It’s easy to see how Henderson averaged 17 points a game as a freshman in the CIML after watching him play on Saturday. The 5-11 lead guard was the best player on the six teams that I was responsible for covering, making it look effortless on the offensive end of the floor. He’s a great shooter from behind the arc, with range well beyond the high school line, and he gets the ball into his shooting pocket really quickly off the dribble. Where he really excels, though, is in his use of ball screens. He’s great in the pick-and-roll game, either finding the roll man, turning the corner tight to get to the bucket, or stepping behind the screen when the defender goes underneath and drilling another jumper. He’s lightning-quick with the ball in his hands, is an excellent ball-handler and has great court vision. Plus, he’s a Hoover guard, so you know he gets after it on the defensive end of the floor as well. An outstanding all-around performance from Henderson.
SF Vance Katzfey Vance Katzfey 6'3" | SG Spirit Lake | 2022 State IA (Spirit Lake – 2022)
The first three possessions I watched of Katzfey’s, he scored in three different ways – a catch-and-shoot 3 coming off an off-ball screen, a finish in transition, and a bucket at the rim off of dribble penetration. And it was that way for most of the evening, Katzfey putting on a scoring clinic. An efficient wing with a good frame, he has the strength to finish through contact at the bucket, but is also a knockdown shooter. It was an all-around strong offensive showing from the Spirit Lake junior, who looks like he’s going to become one of the best scorers in northwest Iowa.
PG Trey Shearer Trey Shearer 5'10" | PG Montezuma | 2021 State IA (Montezuma – 2021)
We’ve come to know what to expect from Trey over the last four years, and he didn’t disappoint here. Everything about the Truman State commit’s game is smooth. He’s an effortless shooter from the arc, gets into his shot so quickly off the dribble, and has the ability to blow by defenders with his quick-twitch athleticism and speed. Equally adept at scoring and getting others involved, he’s been a treat to watch for the last four years and is primed to have a massive senior season for the Braves.
PG Cade Kelderman Cade Kelderman 6'0" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2023 State IA (Waukee -2023)
Waukee has more talent coming through their loaded system in the form of sophomore guard Cade Kelderman Cade Kelderman 6'0" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2023 State IA . The 6-0 lefty lead guard has an excellent feel for the game, and like Henderson, excels at using ball screens to help create for himself and others. He showed a silky smooth jumper from behind the arc, the ability to get to the paint and absorb contact, and he’s a great passer who sees the floor really well.
SF Dallas Bear Dallas Bear 6'8" | SF Cedar Falls | 2023 State #276 Nation IA (Cedar Falls – 2023)
Bear is going to be the next big in-state prospect. The 6-8 sophomore hasn’t even played a varsity minute yet, but holds offers from Bryant and Augustana (SD), and for good reason. He’s super long, super skilled and a knockdown shooter from 3. He got off to a lightning-quick start on Saturday, knocking down four 3s in the first 5-6 minutes of action that he saw. With his size, he’s never going to struggle to get his shot off, and he moves well without the ball to find open spaces in the defense. The next step in his progression will be adding some strength to his frame, and continuing to round out his all-around offensive skill set. But a 6-8 kid who can shoot like he does will make him a very coveted prospect moving forward.