Block’s Week 5 Roundup-Junior Performers
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After a busy week of high school basketball, here are my top junior performers from the week: Carson Toebe Carson Toebe 6'3" | PG Clear Lake | 2022 State IA , Clear Lake High School (2022) In a top…
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Continue ReadingAfter a busy week of high school basketball, here are my top junior performers from the week:
Carson Toebe Carson Toebe 6'3" | PG Clear Lake | 2022 State IA , Clear Lake High School (2022)
In a top matchup Monday night between two teams in Class 3A. Toebe and his Clear Lake team came out on top of Waverly-Shell Rock, and per usual he was a big part of that. He didn’t have a great shooting day from the field only shooting 4/14 from the field, but he found other ways to effect the game. Toebe’s stat line read 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. Toebe’s athleticism was on full display on Monday and caused havoc for the opposing Go-Hawks’ perimeter players.
Bie Ruei, Sioux City East High School (2022)
When playing a big time player with good size, finding someone to defend him is always a challenge. For the Black Raiders it was pretty clear Ruei was the trusted defender to do so on Tuesday. Ruei stands at about 6’4 but has good athleticism that allows him to get up and down with bigger offensive players. Not only did he show pretty good defensively, but he brought a piece to the offense. He can step out and shoot it a little bit, but is also good at getting to the hoop and finishing around the rim. I liked the way the Black Raiders drew plays up to get him open and going towards the basket whether that was on an alley-oop or running off of shooting screens. Ruei posted a 14 point, 6 rebound, and 2 steal stat line on Tuesday.
Kasen Bailey Kasen Bailey 6'3" | SG Washington | 2022 State IA , Washington High School (2022)
Having watched Washington play twice this past week, Kasen had a game to forget against Albia on Tuesday, but did have a good recover game against Fairfield on Friday. Kasen was PrepHoops conference MVP going into the season and is a focal point to the Demons’ offense. He dealt with foul trouble against the Blue Demons from Albia on Tuesday and that had something to do with his game. Bailey is a good guard who shows a good IQ of the game and good athleticism to get to his spots. He can play either guard spot and is a good shooter from the perimeter. Against Fairfield Bailey posted a stat line of 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Will be a key player to get things going if Washington wants to make a run in Class 3A.
Jamison Gruber Jamison Gruber 6'1" | PG Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2022 State IA , Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln High School (2022)
Completing the backcourt for the Lynx was Gruber who is a good two-way CG. Gruber took his turn guarding one of the nation’s best players in the 2021 class in Hunter Sallis and played pretty good defense. Sallis still got his, which is pretty inevitable, but I thought Gruber did a competitive job on the talented guard. He would then turnaround and go up against Wisconsin Commit, Chucky Hepburn who is another talented guard for Bellevue West and would compete well again. I like Gruber because he’s an athletic, quick guard who can get his off the dribble, but can step out and hit open shots as well and doesn’t back down from good competition. Gruber posted 15 and 17 points respectively against the Nebraska powerhouses.
Austin Hilmer Austin Hilmer 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2022 State IA , North Linn High School (2022)
Not Hilmer’s best game ever shooting the ball particularly on Friday against Springville, but when I was watching the game he just seemed like the quickest player on the court at all times. I also really liked his mannerisms while on the court as an on-court extension of the coach telling his team where to be and what to watch for. North Linn likes to really put pressure on opponents defensively and Hilmer is no different in leading that charge. He would post a stat line of 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. The Upper Iowa commit did have an off game offensively but he never let it bleed into other parts of his game and I’m impressed by that at the high school level.
Luke Menster Luke Menster 5'10" | PG Springville | 2022 State IA , Springville High School (2022)
A player who I hadn’t seen before Friday, but jumped out on the screen with his quickness and the way he can get to his spot. As has been mentioned North Linn likes to throw the kitchen sink at opponents with full court pressure and though turnovers was the Orioles downfall in the end, I thought Menster did well getting through traps and pressure. The lefty has good low center gravity to pair with a quick first step with the ball. Menster would end the game the leading scorer for the Orioles on 5/11 shooting and most importantly making 6/8 from the FT line also adding 4 steals on defense.
Parker Elder Parker Elder 6'4" | SF Pella | 2022 State IA , Pella High School (2022)
Elder’s scoring line doesn’t always jump off the page but what he does he does effectively on the court. He brings a load of athleticism and the highlight potential every game. With his athleticism he brings the ability to play good on-ball defense, block shots, and play in transition. Elder did bring the ball up at times on Friday when needed, and I thought did a good job of getting the ball where it needs to go. Elder’s strongest offensive tool isn’t shooting the ball but he did go 1/2 from the 3 point line on Friday and showed that if you give him enough space he will and can make it. He would finish the game with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Ruot Bijiek, Valley High School (2022)
I thought Bijiek had a really good game against Southeast Polk and proved that his move to Valley from Dowling in the offseason could be a very impactful one. Playing beside another big man like Eli Raridon Eli Raridon 6'7" | PF Valley | 2022 State IA opens things up for Bijiek to play in space. He can step out and hit the 3 point shot efficiently and is also willing to go inside and get himself some points in the paint. In the game against Southeast Polk he scored 16 points and secured 8 rebounds on 6/11 shooting and 4/6 from the 3pt line. With his length he could a matchup nightmare for opposing squads the way he can step out and combine inside.