17U Mid-Season Report
With half of the Grassroots season now complete, PHD goes a little deeper on each of the twelve 17U programs talking about has stood out, if their record is a good indicator of who they are, what is next, etc.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith half of the Grassroots season now complete, PHD goes a little deeper on each of the twelve 17U programs talking about has stood out, if their record is a good indicator of who they are, what is next, etc.
Team: SD Attack
Record so Far: After two events they have played better than the rest of the teams in the area. They are getting big production from three Iowa players but the Dakota kids are doing their thing as well.
A Standout: I like how Matt Cartwright is using his dribble separation to produce more than I have seen in the past. Another dimension is something he is working at.
A Statement: We are really hoping that Mason Archambault and Isaac Kortemeyer can get some run with this team to see how they play against the best around the Midwest.
What’s Next: Only two events so far, hopefully they are playing again soon and hopefully the western state kids are able to compete a few times.
Team: BBA Force
Record so Far: Only lost twice, they seem like the top team in the PHD area right now when you talk just Dakota players. Nice start, looking forward to seeing them again soon.
A Standout: I was blown away by some of the big shots that Ethan Freidel made when I saw them play. Sounds like Ethan has taken another step.
A Statement: Would love to see them play South Dakota Attack or Dakota Schoolers in some way. Even if we have to get a gym and line up a day of games to see it. BBA is the type of team that should go on a run in a couple events.
What’s Next: Last year they were in the Heat event, if they are in it again they should be the favorites.
Team: Dakota Schoolers
Record so Far: It’s a losing record but they have by far played the toughest competition of anybody competing in just the NY2LA and SPTS leagues for their games.
A Standout: Did not expect Trevor Hanson to take the steps he has so far. He’s been quick to excel and SDSU quickly snatched him right up.
A Statement: They will only get better because three of their best players are young guys and this is a team that will play better team basketball than most so after more time together they should catch a great rhythm.
What’s Next: They are off until their three weekend run in July.
Team: ECI Prospects
Record so Far: Evened things out winning the games they were supposed to in Fargo this past weekend. Starting to catch a rhythm and beat who they should beat.
A Standout: Sounds like Siman Sem is starting to come around and get some consistency which resembles the whole team. When we saw them in the Twin Cities they were playing very well when Siman was competing hard with energy and his team seemed to follow.
A Statement: Evened out their record after a tough first two weekends. This team makes me think of last year’s top Schoolers team in terms of good talent but a tough start chemistry wise against good teams. Seems like they are putting things together.
What’s Next: The GPA Alliance at the end of June is their next event and that is the start of a big three weekends for them.
Team: D-17s
Record so Far: Winning 11 of 15 has been outstanding experience for a team that is mostly a high school team prepping for next year. No other high school team in the upper Midwest (Dakotas, MN, IA, WI, NB) is getting this type of experience right now.
A Standout: We’ve heard that this team is getting some excellent production from Jake Paper and this is a guy that teams at the next level should really start looking at as an all around educated player.
A Statement: We really hope they keep playing in upcoming events like maybe the SD Heat event in June, they GPA in St. Cloud at the end of June would be great for them, and maybe down to the Pentagon in July.
What’s Next: It’s a high school team (besides one guy) so they can start practice with their coach, play for their coach, and that means they could be even better.
Team: ND Phenom
Record so Far: They have won just over half of their 21 games but rarely have they had more than a sub or two to use. Injuries and whatever else has really kept them away from making the run in events that they want to.
A Standout: The Phenom has seemed to have Wyatt Carr most weekend and Wyatt is scoring in many ways including his 25 plus a game from this past weekend.
A Statement: They have more talent than just about any of these teams. They just need to get everybody to the gym on the same day and when that happens they could make a run.
What’s Next: They are in Ames at the end of June for the Summer start up.
Team: ECI Selects
Record so Far: Selects have been very good I think. They always seem to compete hard against whomever and I think they have had a very nice year so far.
A Standout: Jack Schaefer may be the surprise of the spring so far. He’s not only scoring in strong numbers, he’s doing it with consistency now.
A Statement: Excellent start should turn into a 17-18 game win season if they keep playing well this summer.
What’s Next: Continuing a nice run at the events in St. Cloud, Milwaukee, and Sioux Falls.
Team: PBC Buus
Record so Far: This is a team that is better through three events than I expected them to be. Had a nice weekend in Fargo with just one loss.
A Standout: Josh Mohs has done an outstanding job running this team. People raved about what he did in command last weekend and that is something to watch going forward.
A Statement: Three more events to go so they are half way done for the season. It’s been a good year but now they have to play well in St. Cloud and Sioux Falls to make it a great year.
What’s Next: They are in the St. Cloud GPA event that is one of the most packed event for D2 coaches of the year, they are in the SPTS event in July, and finish in KC.
Team: PBC Knippling
Record so Far: Winning 7 of 12 is a decent mark for this club. They have done a good job of beating who they are supposed to.
A Standout: Have not seen them play yet.
A Statement: Would love to see them play Buus. Maybe we can get that on the
docket for our day of games.
What’s Next: Same schedule as Buus
Team: SD Heat
Record so Far: The Heat’s record does not show how competitive they have been in games. They have played in the top Spring Jam pool and in the SPTS and with a young roster without much size they haven’t been able to sustain to the end. If they had the schedule of other teams things would look different. They have challenged some SPTS teams tough.
A Standout: Sheldon Siemonsma is the type of shooter that teams are aware of right away and they are matching their best player against. Sheldon has had some big games in the SPTS this spring.
A Statement: Wins will come. They host a tournament in a week and a half and then are in the Dakota Showcase at the end of June. They can win games at these events and will.
What’s Next: Next is hosting their event and getting some Ws.
Team: Dakota Niners
Record so Far: Played in two events so far with a lot of the second teams of programs and have won two of seven.
A Standout: Have not seen them play yet.
A Statement: Looking forward to watching them as last year’s Niners 17U team was one of our favorites to watch.
What’s Next: They have a chance to catch a roll in the Heat and Showcase events in June.
Team: Minot Cheezers
Record so Far: We added them as they have now played two events and maybe a third but we aren’t really sure because the name was different in April so it may not have been them.
A Standout: Trevor Banks, man is this kid tough. Battles all night and day. Like how he gets after it on defense.
A Statement: Will they play in another event or two? We hope so.
What’s Next: Hopefully playing in Sioux Falls or the Twin Cities sometime in the summer.