Midwest Live: 10 Who Impressed Sunday (17U)
2016 Gatdoar Kueth, 6’6 G/F (Roosevelt)
He told me after the game he had offers from D2s West Texas A&M and Nebraska-Kearney, also from some JuCos. He’s holding out a while to see if he can pick up some late D1 interest, and with his ever-evolving perimeter skill-set, that may not be a bad idea.
2017 Ethan Shafer, 6′ G (Roosevelt)
The Roughrider guard was red-hot in the first half of a game against Next Level Elite, connecting on four 3s and flashing a beautiful stroke beyond the arc. He finished with 16 points and was scoring at times from dribble-drives to the rim. He’ll be the man at Roosevelt next season.
2017 Tajen Ross, 6’2 G, (ADM)
One of 2017’s biggest up-and-comers, Ross continues to develop his already stealth skill-set, and is extraordinarily tough to guard when he’s in attack mode. His first step is wide and quick, allowing him to get by defenders with ease. He also flashed a beautiful stroke that could make him one of the state’s elite shooters next season.
2017 Matthew Larson, 6′ G (ADM)
Larson has always been one of the more skilled guys in the state, and those special talents were on full display Sunday afternoon. He can do things with the ball that few in Iowa can do, whether dribbling, passing or shooting. A quiet assassin that should be recruited by – at the very least – area NAIAs and D3s.
2017 Payton Conrad, 5’11 G (ADM)
Another in the wealth of talented guards in ADM’s stable, Conrad did not have his best overall game when I saw him on Sunday, but he did make the most impressive defensive play on the game. After he threw the ball away, he – without hesitation – sprinted back the other way and came away with a clean block of the seemingly wide-open lay-in attempt. A testament to the guards temperament, and ability to not dwell on mistakes.
2017 Dariq Myles, 6’5 SF (Des Moines North)
The athletic and good-sized wing was a menace on the boards, playing both as a post and a wing, and showcased an ability to do both adeptly. He was routinely using great leaping ability to sky for boards and beat out much larger guys for the ball. Also showed a decent stroke from deep. He’ll be an impact player with North next season.
2017 Charley Crowley, 6’7 PF (Valley)
Maybe more impressive than anyone else this weekend, Crowley went from role-player to superstar in a hurry for 17U gold division champs Kingdom Hoops Elite. He was playing with supreme confidence and flashing his ability to get buckets often in the paint with an array of moves, including a very nice hook, and up-and-under.
2017 Collin Hill, 6’4 G/F (South Hamilton)
Known as a jump-shooter in the past, Hill was more-so slashing to the hoop last weekend, scoring most of his buckets at the rim. He was also one of Attack Red’s leading rebounders, using plus-leaping ability and flat-out grit to come away with a slew of boards on both ends of the floor.
2017 Austin Roetman, 6’7 F (Pocahontas)
Now a bona-fide inside/outside presence, Roetman — who in the past was more post than wing — was red-hot from deep in the final against Kingdom Hoops. He connected on four triples and also threw down two dunks, putting his versatility on full display for low-major D1 and D2 coaches in attendance.
2017 Trey Buchanan, 6′ PG (United Township, Illinois)
He’s an Illinois kid, but from right across the border in East Moline. A supremely quick prospect with the ability to handle the ball as tightly as anyone else in the tournament last weekend. Showed great skill when he created his own look off-the-dribble and stepped back for a 17-foot fadeaway, splash. Also connected on a team-high four 3s in 17U final.