New Names from the Bryan Hoops Shootout
The Bryan Hoops Shootout was a great opportunity to get a feel for several high schools teams, and what they might look in the Fall. It was also my first look at several young players who might have spent their…
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Continue ReadingThe Bryan Hoops Shootout was a great opportunity to get a feel for several high schools teams, and what they might look in the Fall. It was also my first look at several young players who might have spent their freshman and sophomore years learning on the end of the bench or on the JV team. After another year of experience, these five players look poised to make a bigger impact for their high schools next season.
Chuck Love | Lincoln Southwest 2025
You’ll be hearing plenty about this freshman come Fall. In his first varsity action for Lincoln Southwest Love lit it up from deep, getting his shot off easily with his length and high release. He didn’t do much off the bounce, deferring to the experience around him, but he was engaged on defense. Watching his eyes, I could see him progress through his reads, and did a good job of helping in right spots.
Bhan Buom | Lincoln Southwest 2024
There’s a good chance you are already familiar with the versatile big man from Southwest, but I have not personally written on him much. At 6’6″ he can handle the rock well enough to bring the ball up the floor and initiate some offense. He has gotten better at defensive positioning. Some players are able to back him down and go right through his thin frame, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. He can get better on the margins, though, with positioning and leverage improvements, which we are beginning to see.
Taye Moore | Lincoln Southeast 2024
Moore is a quiet, unassuming presence on the floor, but do not mistake that for passivity or lack of aggression. He is shifty with burst in tight spaces. If there was a gap to attack last weekend, Moore saw it and exploited it. His size prevented him from making, and sometimes attempting shots at the rim after he earned penetration, but is already a capable passer when he draws help. He did flash a nice floater, which will help him finish over size.
Jalen Lang | Lincoln Northeast 2023
Lang was a selective scorer, rarely looking for his own looks, yet he had some of the most impact of any of his teammates at the Bryan Shootout. Defensively, he stays connected to his man at all times. He knew when he could and could not leave his man, and when he did, his help was consistently disruptive. He created several turnovers digging in and knocking the ball away. What I was most impressed with was his awareness not only of his man and his position, but the action and bodies around him. If his teammate was slightly out of position, for example, Lang would shade over and be ready to assist, even if it ultimately was not needed.
Ethan Wiley | Omaha South 2023
Omaha South brought two teams to the event, and Wiley was the top performer from their ‘B’ team. The point guard played with pace, keeps the ball on a string, and makes plays in the pick and roll. His feel for the game is evident in how he moves, passes, cuts, and plays defense. He plays instinctively, often times roaming all over the place on defense, but his reads are on point and they lead to play creation for his team. The Packers are loaded with young talent, so it might be hard for Wiley to find consistent minutes, but I’m confident he can effectively lead bench units when called upon.