Midwest Live!: 20 Guys to Watch (Part I)
This weekend marks the start of the April Live Periods, meaning it’s the first of back-to-back evaluation periods for Division I head coaches. In Des Moines, teams from all over the Midwest will be converge — and tons of Division I caliber talent will be showcasing themselves at Midwest Live!. So whether you’re a high-level hoops coach, a D3 coach, a parent or a fan, Southeast Polk High School will be the spot Friday through Sunday for some big-time high school hoops.
2019 Tyreke Locure, 5’10 PG (MOKAN Elite 16U)
Most people reading this know about the extraordinarily talented 5’10 point guard from Des Moines North. What they might not know is he’s playing with one of the nation’s most talented programs, Kansas City-based MOKAN. We’ll be curious to see what role Iowa’s preternatural talent pays with the all-star-laden squad.
2018 Hunter Strait, 6’2 PG (Team Iowa Blue 17U)
This will be a critical weekend for Strait, who certainly is a D1 talent, but has yet to pick up any D1 offers. There will be several coaches in attendance at Southeast Polk this weekend, and Strait, if he’s on his A-game, is almost sure to dazzle. Look for a smooth lead guard with tight handles, slick passing and an ever-improving jumper.
2018 Blake Brinkmeyer (Kingdom Hoops Elite 17U)
We didn’t get to see a lot of Brinkmeyer during the winter, the Tigers had senior veterans Charley Crowley and Quinton Curry to man the paint. But Iowa’s 4th-ranked 2018, the lengthy 6-foot-8 post will surely turn some heads this weekend with his long arms and high-level bounce. Perhaps he can add to his existing North Dakota and Northern Iowa offers.
2019 James Betz, 6’6 F (Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U)
Speaking of bouncy bigs, there may not be a better leaping big-man in Iowa than Garner-Hayfield-Ventura’s James Betz. Iowa’s 7th-ranked 2018, Betz is a versatile threat, able to knock in a triple if left open, and he’s at his best playing in a fast-paced environment that he’s sure to encounter this weekend in Des Moines. We’ll be expecting him to be on the radars of several D1 programs very soon.
2018 Seybian Sims, 6’7 PF (Iowa Dynasty 17U)
This under-the-radar junior post should be on the verge of receiving Division II and NAIA scholarships, but instead tells us he’s seen very little interest come his way. Skill-wise, he’s certainly one of 2018’s best; a rim-protector, who can get high percentage shots offensively with regularity. Length and athleticism make this Iowa City West prospect intriguing.
2018 Zaine Leedom, 6’4 SF (Iowa Intensity 17U)
Division II and NAIA programs should make their way to some Iowa Intensity games this weekend. This lengthy East Marshall high-riser is the headliner of thet group — along with Newton guard Garrett Sturtz — and will dazzle with his ability to both play above the rim and knock-down triples.
2020 Bowen Born, 5’9 G (Iowa Barnstormers 15U)
As dynamic of a young player as there is in Iowa, Born — or ‘lil Steph as we like to call him — has a basketball IQ that’s off the charts for a 15 year-old. He’s as talented of a shooter as there is in the state, able to make tough shots from way deep. And he’s got some tight handles plus elite awareness to boot.
2019 Trey Hinote, 6′ PG (Iowa Cornsharks 16U)
The Iowa Cornsharks have a very nice 16U squad, and Greene County guard Trey Hinote is its headliner. His skill-level is top-notch, and is predicated on ball-handling and shooting. He’s a flat-out playmaker for this squad that will win its fair share of games this spring and summer.
2019 PJ Rundquist, 5’9 G (Iowa Mavs Purple 16U)
Don’t let his lack of height fool you, this kid produces in large doses. He’s got seemingly unlimited range, and a fluid stroke on his jumper; when he misses, it’s not by much. He does a nice job of controlling the game offensively, and is simply one of the best scorers in Iowa’s 2019 class.
2018 Keith Johnson, 6’4 SF (Tri-State-Steam)
It’s time for this bouncy forward to get some offers, and this weekend will be as big for him as for anyone in Iowa. He was his usual fantastic self last weekend at the Future Stars Camp in Dubuque, predictabley making the All-Camp Team. A guy who doesn’t have to score a bunch to make an impact ion the game, Division II and low-major Division I coaches will want to check out Johnson this weekend.