Hard Work Region Finals: More 15U names to remember
The Hard Work Region Finals were filled with great competition at each level. These are some names from the 15U bracket that I think people should keep an eye on as they head into the high school season this winter…
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Continue ReadingThe Hard Work Region Finals were filled with great competition at each level. These are some names from the 15U bracket that I think people should keep an eye on as they head into the high school season this winter and beyond.
Kyle Bjorklund– 6’1″ guard- WOTN Mitchell/Lakeville South
Kyle is a solid scorer with great strength for his size. He plays at his best when he gets to attack downhill and when he does, he goes to the rim strong. He absorbs contact really well and has good touch around the rim. But he gets to play downhill because the defense has to respect his perimeter shotmaking ability. His balance and consistency on catch-and-shoot opportunities helped him knock down multiple threes, then he used his quickness to rip through past defenders who closed out too hard. I want him to get more comfortable in playing in the pick-and-roll and creating for others so that he can add more versatility and skill to his offensive game.
Demarcus Banks– 6’2″ guard- MN Select Altenhofen/Lakeville South
Demarcus is a solid, do-it-all guard. He can push in transition and if he doesn’t have the ball, he runs the floor well and can finish at the rim with either hand. He’s a comfortable point guard that can play in the pick-and-roll or initiate the offense, but he can also slide to an off-ball role where he looks to come off screens and knock down threes. His release is quick and compact, allowing him to get shots off in tighter spaces. Defensively, he does a good job of moving his feet and he’s really good at turning opposing guards when he picks up full court. I’d look for him to get more consistent and develop more confidence in his midrange game.
Myles Thomsen– 6’0″ guard- Northstar Titans Brodeur/Spring Lake Park
Myles showed off his ability to hit threes from all over the court this past weekend, but he’s also a great point guard. He has picture-perfect form on his jumper and his balance is so good that his range extends well beyond the high school line. However, what impressed me most was how he always made the right pass and didn’t force the issue. If a teammate was open, he did his best to get them the ball. He made skip passes, extra swings, and really just showed a great understanding of spacing and ball movement. I think he can become more confident in his own ability to attack off the dribble, but I think his unselfishness and shooting are going to take him a long way in the game of basketball.
Ben Willihnganz– 6’6″ forward- WI Blizzard Nordgaard/Depere
Ben is still somewhat raw as far as skill is concerned, but his size and length are not to be ignored. He stands around 6’6″ or 6’7″ and he has long arms and legs. He’s not the quickest, but he’s good with angles so that he can do a good job of switching on pick-and-roll defensively. He was great at walling up when opponents attempted to attack inside and he’s got good instincts for going and finding the ball on the glass. Offensively, he can post up and pivot over either shoulder, but he can also knock down stand-still threes. Ben’s next step is to get stronger and get more comfortable absorbing contact so that he can finish more of the chances he gets inside.
Wyatt Powell– 6’0″ guard- MN Lightning Lyga/Mfl Marmac
Wyatt showed off his three-level scoring ability this past weekend. He’s a willing and able catch-and-shoot three-point shooter, but where he seemed most deadly this weekend was after the catch. He’s good at attacking closeouts and he has fantastic balance when he gets to his spots in the midrange so he knocked down multiple pull-ups. I like his craftiness and his confidence, and both will serve him well as he matures. I think he’s a confident ball handler and he’s got a good understanding of spacing. I think adding more comfort with floaters will help him add to his scoring, but I think his skill is pretty good for a player of his age.