Maple Grove Preseason Scrimmages – Underrated Prospects

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maple Grove Middle School was the location for the final scrimmages of the preseason! Here are the underrated prospects that stood out to me in the 20 minute, running clock games!</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="796950" first="Jason" last="Spaeth"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Mound Westonka (6’2” Guard - 2022) </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In tough matchups versus Park Center and Lakeville North, Jason showed out. The senior guard was not missing from beyond the arc and added a couple acrobatic finishes at the basket. Jason was hitting his threes off the dribble and in catch and shoot situations. Spaeth was the top scorer I saw all day and will be a major steal for any D2, D3, or NAIA schools.</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="962202" first="JJ" last="Ware"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Park Center (6’5” Forward - 2023) </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I have been more and more impressed with JJ as the fall has come to an end. The junior forward has emerged himself as a legit scoring option on a loaded Park Center team. This weekend he looked very confident scoring the ball, knocking down threes and getting to the rim. It will be interesting to see if anyone can stop the offensive threats for the Pirates.  </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1284143" first="Isaiah" last="Johnson"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of Osseo (6’6” Forward - 2024) </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Isaiah looks much improved as a scorer from this summer. In their game versus Eden Prairie, the 6’6” sophomore took over finishing around the rim. Johnson used his athleticism to create separation for easy finishes. One play stuck out in particular that really shows how much potential he has. He used his long arms to tip a three-pointer that led to a big two-handed dunk at the other end as he outran the defenders. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1139350" first="Hudson" last="Vaith"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Lakeville North (6’5” Guard - 2023)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Only seeing Hudson play a couple times, he really impressed me on Saturday. With [player_tooltip player_id="962214" first="Nolan" last="Winter"] out, he stepped into a major scoring role. He could not be stopped attacking the rim in the Panthers’ matchup versus Mound Westonka. Along with his size and finishing ability, Vaith has a very smooth jump shot off the dribble and in the catch and shoot. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="958659" first="James" last="Spencer"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Park Center (6’6” Forward - 2022) </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spencer is the perfect player to add to all of the talent for the Pirates. A player that will fly around getting rebounds and fighting for loose balls. He dominated the glass in both games I got to watch on Saturday. Limiting second chance baskets for the opponent and scoring second chance baskets himself. Look for him to have multiple double-doubles this season with points and rebounds. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="962225" first="Reese" last="Vanderwilt"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Mound Westonka (6’6” Forward - 2023)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At 6’6”, Reese is an elite shooter. The junior forward was torching defenses, hitting threes in transition and on kick outs from teammates. He also used his size to his advantage with a few nice finishes inside and big rebounds. Reese and Mound Westonka were very impressive in matchups versus AAAA contenders, they will be a dangerous team to watch in AAA.</span></p> <p><b>Will Drake </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Lakeville North (6’0” Guard - 2022) </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Will is just one of the many shooters on this Lakeville North team. Drake has a very smooth shot and made three three-pointers versus Mound Westonka. The senior guard also did a great job bringing the ball up the floor and controlling the offense for his team. The Panthers will space the floor very well and I think that they could upset a few contenders if they get hot from beyond the arc. </span></p> <p><b>Brayden Manning</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Lakeville North (6’3” Forward - 2022) </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brayden did a great job doing the dirty work for the Panthers on Saturday. He seemed to always be open for easy looks in the paint off of passes from his teammates. The 6’3” forward is very strong and out-rebounded all of the opponents his size. Along with dominating the paint, Manning hit a couple threes in the short 20 minute, running clock games. </span></p>