Lone Star Invitational: Dakota Schoolers
PHD was in Dallas this weekend and was able to watch the Dakota Schoolers three different times. There are three 16U guys on the team and they are playing in a very difficult league (the NY2LA Basketball League) with some…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPHD was in Dallas this weekend and was able to watch the Dakota Schoolers three different times. There are three 16U guys on the team and they are playing in a very difficult league (the NY2LA Basketball League) with some of the top teams in the Midwest.
This weekend the Schoolers lost to Minnesota Phenom by a point, lost to the Illinois Stars in overtime, beat the Indy Eagles, and lost to one of the best teams in their division (the Wisconsin Shooters) by 20.
The Schooler record in the league is 2-5 (the game with the Phenom was a crossover contest with the open division) but they have competed very well in the league. The Schoolers have good size, disciplined players, and active wings but don’t have the shot creators (or experience) that many of the others have so they have to do things more as a unit. With time that unit will get stronger and the close losses will become close wins.
The biggest thing with this league is that the Schoolers are learning 1) how important playing as a unit is on both ends to beating good teams, 2) the players are gaining experience in front of some of the best teams in the Midwest, 3) the players are able to see what they need to work on to be able to compete individually and as a team to improve for the future.
Here are our player notes.
Brennan Carlson (Brookings). Brennan has been consistent in that he is scoring about twice each game. The 6-ft-3 win has been fine but we have been waiting for him to have a breakout game because Carlson is a fairly agile player that seems comfortable with the ball on the perimeter. Seems to have decent potential.
Tye Evers (Huron). Tye is about a 6-foot-4 power forward working to become more comfortable as a three. He gives this team all out effort when we have watched and can be trusted on both ends.
Trevor Hanson (Sioux Valley). The 2018 center leads the team in scoring and rebounding through seven NY2LA League games which is an accomplishment in itself considering the level of competition he is playing. Had an impressive 15 points and seven rebounds in the win over Indy Elite going against a 6-foot-7 division one caliber big named Chaz Painter. Also had a double-double in the overtime loss to the Stars and overall led the team in scoring every game. Another big step forward for a developing big.
Mason Larson (Langford). Mason continues to show a lot of promise as a 2018 kid playing up and is now working to consistency. His top game was likely in the win over Indy Eagles when he scored four different possessions and helped on the glass. Still learning but has the frame and agility to compete at this level already.
Austin Lohsandt (Madison). The Madison 6-foot-7, 265 pound big gives his team what he has. The future offensive tackle is being recruited by NDSU and others and based on his work rate and reasonable agility inside you can see where he is a strong football prospect. Like his effort on the court as well as few can post up on him and get deep position.
Nathan Rook (Aberdeen Central). Every time I watch Rook I like him more. The 2018 guard is compact but precise. Gives up height but makes up for it with toughness, lateral agility, and a high work rate. Is a year younger than most in this league but you wouldn’t know it based on the way he plays. Usually makes the right decision with the ball and the Schooler staff seems to trust him as he is the PG with the ball in his hands most of the game.
Keegan Savary (Sergent Bluff). The 6-foot-2 Iowa import had three big treys in the win over Indy Eagles and you have to love the effort he plays with. Keegan is a shorter small forward but when the game against the Illinois Stars was in overtime he was on the floor battling. Scored three times in that overtime loss.
Jack Talley (SF Washington). The second leading scorer and rebounder for this team I think what caught our eye is what the 6-foot-5 small forward can do defensively when he wants to battle on defense. When Talley gets after it he moves fluidly around screens to get to position to stop a potential attack, he angles guys where they need to be on the floor, and he has the size that talented players have trouble shooting over. If he keeps defending like we saw late in the overtime game he could really be a two way weapon. Against the Stars he was able to get to the foul line late four some key makes.
Tayton Vincent (Sioux Valley). Vincent is a future coach and you can see it in the way he plays and in how he helps directs teammates. There are things about his game like defensive positioning, how he moves off the ball, how he defends screens and how he moves off the them on offense to get open, as well as his passing reads, all of this screams high IQ player and future coach. Completed plays better last weekend than this weekend.
Cooper Williams (Vermillion). The steady Vermillion guard made some key foul shots to help beat Indy Elite and has done a nice job directing the second group for the Schoolers.