Midwest Showdown: Saturday Evening’s Best
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More talent from the Midwest Showdown in Appleton! It’s 16U players from Minnesota. Parker Dunham of Minnesota Lightning Dunham (6’1 Wing, 2023, Rochester Lourdes). Dunham put 16 in the books for the winning team Saturday night and he truly earned…
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Continue ReadingMore talent from the Midwest Showdown in Appleton! It’s 16U players from Minnesota.
Parker Dunham of Minnesota Lightning Dunham (6’1 Wing, 2023, Rochester Lourdes). Dunham put 16 in the books for the winning team Saturday night and he truly earned it. Clutch scores late in regulation and overtime, and often doing it pivoting through or into contact for scores. The cut on his chin let you know Parker had been through a battle and the numbers in the books showed the results of a hard earned win. Used his pivot very well to score on the low block, but also used his face-up dribble to sharply attack and produce as well. Should have a bright future for Lourdes.
Ruhan Jordan Ruhan Jordan 6'1" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN of Minnesota Magic (6’1 Guard, 2023, Eastview). Ruhan Jordan Ruhan Jordan 6'1" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN was one of the toughest players to stop off the bounce that we watched all weekend. Jordan mixed in his attacks in a way that a coach would approve. Nothing forced, the attacks came in the quick transition change, and in halfcourt attacks where the defense was moving. He scored five times with this attacks and dished out five assists in the big Magic overtime win over Crossover. It will be interesting to see what role he fills at Eastview the next two seasons.
Ryan Joyner of Minnesota Magic (6’4 Wing, 2023, Lakeville North). Simply put, the Magic do not beat the Crossfire without Ryan Joyner. The Magic were down big early and then Joyner gave them all the momentum with a couple threes and another score in a momentum turning run. His jumper knocked out four threes and a team high 16 points in the Magic win over Crossfire.
Buay Koak Buay Koak 6'4" | SG Lyle-Pacelli | 2023 State MN of Minnesota Lightning (6’4 Wing, 2023, Lyle-Austin Pacelli). Koak can be best described as a consistent three level scoring threat that also uses his length to defend a number of spots. He averaged 20 points a game this year for a 3-loss team and against Next Level he put 20 more (22) in the books. The two things that really stood out to me was Koak’s comfort handling the basketball both in transition and separating in the halfcourt set. Skilled, agile, and length with a touch.
John Mueller John Mueller 6'5" | SF Watertown-Mayer | 2023 State MN of Minnesota Crossfire (6’4 Forward, 2023, Watertown-Mayer). If there was a Max Preps or Basketball Hub for statistical leaders in AAU basketball, John Mueller John Mueller 6'5" | SF Watertown-Mayer | 2023 State MN would be at the top of that list in scoring and rebounding. He’s just so assertive for his team game to game. We spoke about this in the Saturday morning article and then watched him hit a clutch three and tip in a buzzer beater sending the game into overtime putting up 21 points and a dozen boards. Taking bigger players off the dribble for long jumpers and lay-ups, and then going through them for constant boards. Just so productive.
Kayden Rodrick of Minnesota Lightning Dunham (6’3 Wing, 2023, Zumbrota-Mazeppa). In the game I watched the Lightning play, Kayden did most of his work off the dribble scoring 16 points. It was a hard earned 16 as most of it was off the bounce but like a cat, Rodrick would move quickly and land in a balanced way to touch in scores. It wasn’t easy as he often seemed to be doing it through a ton of arms but the ability to finish on balance through contesting bodies really stood out. Scored eight a game this winter, has stepped into a lead man role for this 16u team.
Hudson Vaith Hudson Vaith 6'4" | SG Lakeville North | 2023 State MN of Minnesota Magic (6’4 Wing, 2023, Lakeville North). Hudson has been one of the more talked about 16u players week to week on the Prep Hoops Circuit. He’s commonly the Magic go to guy for double figure production but the Crossfire defense slowed him early. However, as the defenders tired, Vaith continued to work to his production and then in overtime he took over. His two scores were the game clinchers including a confident three followed by a score near the rim that put the game away. The mark of team leading producer, regardless of how the game went, the standout was there in the clutch.