Rock Spring Classic: Day 2 Standouts
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WISCONSIN DELLS — Breaking down the top individual performances from Saturday’s action at The Rock Spring Classic… Jamiir Allen Jamiir Allen 6'0" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State WI – 2023 – G – Wisconsin Playmakers South/ABC Young…
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Continue ReadingWISCONSIN DELLS — Breaking down the top individual performances from Saturday’s action at The Rock Spring Classic…
Jamiir Allen Jamiir Allen 6'0" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State WI – 2023 – G – Wisconsin Playmakers South/ABC Young Lions
Though Allen held his own against some really good guards of PGC. Allen isn’t quite known yet around the state as he plays for a very young and talented Wisconsin Lutheran squad, but the kid is a bucket. The 5-foot-11 guard thrives in isolation settings. He’s got the handles and quickness to create his own shot consistently. Love his pull-up game in the mid-range. Allen’s got that shake and bake ability and is so smooth to be able to get right into his jumper. Allen averaged about seven points per game as a sophomore for the Vikings, who have a handful of college prospects, including one of the state’s top 2023 and 2024 prospects.
Jamariea Dalton Jamariea Dalton 6'3" | SG Fond Du Lac | 2023 State WI – 2023 – SG – Power 5
One of the fastest-rising prospects in the sophomore class, Dalton had 23 points in a loss to a good Wisconsin Crusaders squad. When Dalton’s outside shot is falling, he’s incredibly difficult to guard. An explosive ball handler who has length to finish at the rim, can go above the rim, and adjust in mid-air, Dalton can do some special things as a slasher. Incorporating head fakes and set-up dribbles, Dalton just waits for defenders to make a mistake and capitalizes very quickly. A terrific isolation scorer, Dalton is one of the best-kept secrets in the state right now.
Noah Daniels – 2022 – W – Wisconsin Rap
He’s unranked, but Daniels’ name definitely belongs on that list. Daniels averaged 17 points, seven rebounds, and nearly three assists per game for New Berlin West last season. The all-around ability was definitely on display Saturday. Daniels has a terrific motor and just contributes across the board. The 6-foot-4 can create easy buckets as a slasher, knock down his open 3’s, drive and dish, rebound, push the pace in transition, and flies around defensively. Wisconsin Rap has a quality squad, but Daniels takes them to another level with his energy and ability to contribute across the board.
Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'2" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI – 2022 – SG – Wisconsin Playground Club
PGC was in real trouble against the Wisconsin Crusaders, trailing by 10 at the half. Haertle was the guy who got them going after halftime. Leading a tenacious defensive effort, Haertle and PGC allowed just six points in the second half, three of which came on a desperation triple late. Haertle cranked up the intensity, shut off straight-line drives, and forced turnovers by bodying people and getting physical. A blue-collar, competitive guard, Haertle brought that same energy to the offensive end. Showing a sense of urgency, Haertle played with pace, came down the floor, and created a few pull-up jumpers to get PGC going offensively as well.
Colin Hardrick Colin Hardrick 6'3" | CG Wauwatosa West | 2022 State WI – 2022 – G – Wisconsin Playground Club
Hardrick plays down in 16U, because he’s very young for his age. Without a doubt, he’d be a top 20 prospect in Wisconsin’s 2023 class if that’s where he ends up. An instant offense type player, Hardrick has one of the best motors for a guard. He flies around and causes havoc defensively to create turnovers and turn defense into offense. Offensively, Hardrick can score from all three levels. He’s especially good as a pull-up mid-range jump shooter or a bucket getter at the rim. Hardrick had some insane off-balance finishes on Saturday from seemingly impossible angles. Coming off a big junior season at Wauwatosa West, Hardrick definitely deserves more respect around his name.
Jaquan Johnson Jaquan Johnson 5'10" | PG Pius XI | 2024 State WI – 2024 – PG – Wisconsin Playground Club
Johnson took out his do-it-yourself kit to lead PGC past X-Men United Saturday night. In what was a physical, back and forth game, Johnson arrived in closing time. The electric floor general ripped off a flurry of mid-range buckets that proved to be the exclamation point. Johnson simply took control, pulling defenders away from the rim, getting downhill, and going to work. His stop and pop game was outstanding as Johnson just left defenders in the dust. Coming for a top 10 spot in the 2024 rankings, Johnson has been as good as any player in the field this weekend.
Sekou Konneh – 2024 – SF – X-Men United
At first glance, you look at Konneh and think ’project with someone who has a long way to go.’ He’s a plus-length, very raw, 6-foot-6 wing who’s not even close to fully developed physically. Then you watch him play and go ’He’s way better than I thought he’d be.’ Konneh can already handle the ball well in transition and shoot off the dribble. If he catches near the rim, it’s probably a dunk, and Konneh looked pretty fluid while playing in traffic. Konneh also shot the ball a lot better than I expected and gets it done from all three levels and at his size, there aren’t many defenders his age who are really going to bother him. When Konneh gets in the open floor, he’s a gazelle that covers a lot of ground in a hurry. Want to see a little more, but wouldn’t be surprised of Konneh grabs a top 10 spot in the next rankings.
Caiden Lecce – 2022 – G – D.F. Elite
This kid probably catches a lot of people off-guard. He’s 5-foot-10 and not a guard that’s not necessarily a burner with the basketball in the hand, but he can play. Leece averaged 13 points per game next to a top 20 prospect last season. Showing off range for days, Leece has to be picked up well above the 3-point line. The lefty is very confident and always shot ready. Despite his size, Leece was aggressive going to the rim as well. He doesn’t shy away from attacking bigs at the hole and finished well. Leece looked passionate on defense as well. He flies around, gets up into people, and tries to make the opposition uncomfortable.
Darrien Long Darrien Long 6'5" | PF Racine Horlick | 2022 State WI – 2022 – F – Gallo Sports Center
Big upside on this prospect. Long is a 6-foot-4 combo forward with very intriguing length and athleticism. Long made some freaky plays around the rim during Saturday’s win over Playmakers South. Long can make some things happen in transition, but also gets off the ground very quickly if he’s catching passes in traffic. Long showed some flashes in the half court. He knocked down a few mid-range jumpers and a 3-pointer. Athletically, Long has Division 1 measurables. If the skillset continues to catch up he can play his way to that level.
Jeremy Lorenz Jeremy Lorenz 6'8" | PF Brillion | 2023 State WI – 2023 – F – Wisconsin Crusaders
Think Lorenz is going to be an easy offer for a lot of Division 2 programs. He’s still developing and can definitely work his way to the highest level as well. The Brillion star just screams mismatch problem. He’s a long 6-foot-7 who can shoot and handle the basketball. Lorenz has a prototypical pick n’ pop release. Needs to shoot it with a little more confidence, but when he does, the ball comes off his hands beautifully. Lorenz is really dangerous when he feeds off dribble penetration. He can get from the 3-point line to the rim in one dribble. Lorenz looks like he’s still growing into his body and definitely hasn’t arrived quite yet as a player in terms of his skills…which is scary.
Simeon Murchison Simeon Murchison 6'9" | PF Milwaukee Bay View | 2023 State WI – 2023 – F/C – Wisconsin Playmakers South/ABC Young Lions
Murchison is still very raw and has a long way to go, but liked some of the flashes he showed against PGC, featuring a couple of top big prospects in 2023. The 6-foot-8 sophomore looks the part physically and can control the paint. Murchison has a motor under the rim and will clean the glass as well as block/alter shots at a high rate. He can run the floor a bit and be a factor in transition. Murchison has all the physical measurables, but now needs to add a post skillset, starting with his touch to finish against similar length/size.
Luther Smith Luther Smith 6'1" | SG Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI – 2023 – SG – Wisconsin Playground Club
The Sussex Hamilton guard shot the ball extremely well on Saturday. Smith’s confidence just started to take off and if defenders didn’t close out with a hand up or crowd him, Smith was letting it fly. The 5-foot-10 guard has a pure stroke from 3-point range. The ball comes off hands quickly and when he does miss, it’s often not by much. While he’s a 3-point specialist, Smith can do a little bit inside the arc. He shows some flashes of being a dribble-drive/drive-and-dish threat. Smith will get plenty of looks for his dangerous shooting ability, but if he can improve on the defensive end, his stock will increase.
Ryan Sweeney Ryan Sweeney 6'2" | CG Gb East | 2022 State WI – 2022 – G – Team 1848
Sweeney’s stock went way up with his performance against Young and Reckless, who ended up winning the 17U title. Facing a lot of terrific athletes, Sweeney was the best guard on the floor Saturday night. The Green Bay East star can absolutely go with the basketball. He’s a slim, lanky kid, but don’t let that fool you. If Sweeney gets the ball in the open floor and is in a foot race, he’s winning it. Also a prospect with some surprising above the rim bounce, Sweeney showed improved ability in the halfcourt. He was able to break guys down, adjust his shot mid-air, and finish against length/athleticism. Want to see more of his shooting ability, but Sweeney pleasantly surprised in the nightcap.
Deshawn Webb Deshawn Webb 6'3" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2023 State WI – 2023 – G – Wisconsin Playground Club
Webb had a terrific showing defensively Saturday night. In a game that featured the top in-state talent in the 2024 class, Webb wanted all the smoke. Has to turn down his emotions and just play, but you can’t question Webb’s motor and will to win. Basically, his job was to pick his man up 94 feet, deny the ball, and take the opposition’s best player away. The 6-foot-4 guard was extremely disruptive and with his measurables can absolutely lock people down. Webb, who is a sophomore, plans to reclassify to 2024.