Recap: Rock Spring Classic Day 3
STOUGHTON — Championships Sunday at the 2018 Rock Spring Classic featured an entertaining day of basketball as some of the Midwest’s top prospects and travel programs battled it out. In the 16U Division, the Wisconsin Playground Warriors capped off a perfect 6-0 weekend with a victory over the Iowa Barnstormers in the title game — their fifth-straight tournament win.
Rich Byhre – 2019 – PF – Ray Allen Select
A high-motor forward, Byhre made countless effort plays in Ray Allen Select’s run to the 17U semifinals. Playing with a new team this year,
Byhre has fit in well with a talented RAS squad. He’s always looking for opportunities to run the floor or get second chance points. RAS has always been a well-oiled machine offensively. They’ve definitely gotten better with Byhre, who has a good base and sets hard screens to free up shooters and can operate in the pick n’ roll. This is a prospect that probably won’t get a lot of headlines going forward with such a talented team, but Byhre is certainly showing value as a glue guy and the type of players college programs win with.
Johnny Davis – 2020 – SG – Playground Warriors
In a tight contest in the 16U title game, Davis turned things up to another level and the Iowa Barnstormers couldn’t match it. The La Crosse Central standout scored 18 of his 23 points after halftime, including a big offensive outburst late that helped PGC gain some separation. Davis was tenacious the way he attacked the rim. The 6-foot-4 wing converted a couple of consecutive three-point play opportunities that sealed the deal. A defensive standout, Davis’ offense is catching up. He’s improving as a shooter and creator in the half court. With a lunch pail and hard hat attitude, Davis is going to help somebody win a lot of games at the next level.
Marcus Domask – 2019 – SF – Ray Allen Select
One thing you know about Domask, he’s extremely skilled. He’ll take advantage of every mistake a defender makes by playing sound, fundamental basketball. It was fun to see a different side of Domask in the 17U quarterfinals on Sunday. He didn’t shoot the ball as well as he’s capable of for most of the weekend. So what did Domask do? He pounded the ball inside and found his groove offensively. Against D1 Minnesota, Domask exploited mismatches in the post. It got to the point where RAS was feeding him the ball practically every time down in the second half and there wasn’t a thing D1 MN could do to stop it. Domask showed off some impressive footwork, but also powered home some physical attempts around the rim and created three-point play opportunities.
Keaton Ferris – 2020 – G – Wisconsin Crusaders
Ferris is a big time shooter and had it going in a loss to the Playground Warriors Sunday morning. A quick guard with an even quicker trigger, Ferris doesn’t need a ton of space to get his shot off. The 5-foot-10 sophomore was hitting some ridiculous, contested looks on
Sunday. With a swift first step, Ferris can create a lot of space in a short amount of time. He also has a deadly step back jumper against tight coverage. Part of Kaukauna’s Division 2 state championship squad, Ferris was more of a spot-up shooter from the Ghosts. It was good to see him show what he can do as one of the focal points offensively in a high level matchup.
Mason Madsen – 2020 – G – Playground Warriors
Love guys that attack their weaknesses and come back in the spring and show major growth. That’s exactly what Madsen has done, specifically on the offensive end. Madsen has scored consistently from all three levels this weekend. He’s quicker with the ball and more athletic than a year ago. The added speed has greatly helped his pull-up jumper, which Madsen has been knocking down at a high rate. The 6-foot-3 sophomore is still a junkyard dog defensively. He gets after people and causes the opposition fits the way he can play physical without committing a ton of fouls. Madsen will certainly be a sought after mid-major prospect. It wouldn’t be a big shock to see high major programs take a chance on him down the road.
Samuel Meerstein – 2019 – SG – Wisconsin Crusaders
Meerstein should be a highly coveted Division 3 prospect. With good size (6-4) and the ability to hit shots from all over the floor, Meerstein can carry the load offensively at the next level. Meerstein isn’t maybe the best athlete, but has a frame that suggests he could add some quickness and explosiveness in a college strength and conditioning program. Leading the Crusaders to the 17U semifinals, Meerstein showed good balance and control against tough defense. He’s got enough size to shoot over the top and wasn’t fazed by a hand in his face.
Abe Scruggs – 2020 – PG – World Hoops Elite
One of the top sleepers in Wisconsin, Scruggs played well in a Sunday morning victory over Team 1848. Scruggs created a lot of quality looks in isolation settings. A strong 3-point shooting presence, Scruggs knows defenders respect his outside shot. He sets them up with a terrific pump-fake, one-dribble jumper from mid-range. Scruggs is also a standout defensively. He has really good hands against the
opposition’s dribble and picked a few pockets on Sunday. Scruggs has quite a bit of Division 1 interest coming in at this time. He certainly shouldn’t fall past the Division 2 level.
Isaiah Stewart – 2020 – G – Wisconsin Dynasty
Stewart scored a total of 65 points on Sunday. He began the day with a 29-point, 4-assist effort in a win against Iowa Prep. In a close win versus Epic Hoopz, Stewart dropped 24. A player that kind of goes under the radar on his high school team, who features a loaded backcourt, Stewart is showing he can stand on his own as a prospect. Stewart also played very well a week ago at the NY2LA Sports Swish N’ Dish to open the spring.
Terrance Thompson – 2020 – PF – Playground Warriors
A highlight waiting to happen, Thompson threw down some huge slams in transition. A big body that runs the floor extremely well, Thompson is like a runaway freight train in the open floor. A high upside big man, Thompson is adding to his game. He hit three consecutive triples to open the 16U championship, something that wasn’t even in his arsenal in July. Thompson dominates the glass every time out. He pulled down some strong rebounds in traffic, just ripping the ball away from people.
Javeon Tolliver – 2020 – G – Wisconsin United
Tolliver impressed during a Sunday morning loss to the Iowa Mavericks. Only 5-foot-10, Tolliver’s length makes him look 6-foot-1. A smooth guard with a creative offensive game, Tolliver toys with defenders by constantly changing his pace and some electrifying handles. Tolliver has learned to play amongst the trees, using a soft, high-arcing touch around the rim and/or a series of head fakes as defenders never know what he’s thinking. A big first half offensively helped United hang around before they ran out of steam.