SPTS: 17U Player Thoughts
The SPTS kicked off last weekend in the Twin Cities and PHD was on hand to watch ECI, the Dakota Schoolers, and the South Dakota Heat. We watched players from all levels of these teams compete but today’s focus will…
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Continue ReadingThe SPTS kicked off last weekend in the Twin Cities and PHD was on hand to watch ECI, the Dakota Schoolers, and the South Dakota Heat. We watched players from all levels of these teams compete but today’s focus will on the 17U kids as we go player by player with a comment.
Dakota Schoolers
Cooper Williams. Cooper helped his team make a late run against the Minnesota Heat with a pair of late scores in the open floor and a couple defensive play.
Brennan Carlson. A 6-ft-3 Brookings athlete who has the potential to be a really nice piece for the team. Has a nice frame for a wing and moves fairly well.
Tayton Vincent. One of the smarter players on the floor, seems like a future coach. His mobility is limiting by the knee surgeries right now but the effort seems good.
Jack Talley. Very high on Jack after the last two events. Seems to have a good feel for the system and was moving off the ball as well as moving the ball in the structure for results. Defending with energy both verbally and physically, used that agile frame to score consistently in the four games.
Mason Larson. Good size and a true three Mason makes plays here and there that excite you and make you think future although he’s still working on consistency at this level play. The flashes of quality have been there.
Nathan Rook. Love the way he competes. His defensive pressure, lateral agility, and intensity of defensive effort bother people and offensively he’s consistent in getting the team’s offense started where they want it started.
Austin Lohsandt. Solid back-up big, I can’t help but think about what level of football recruit he’s going to be. Seems to move his feet well for a guy with his frame and size.
Tye Evers. Undersized four man that seems to be taking his game to the perimeter a bit more and looking more comfortable out there with the ball in hand.
Keegan Sevary. A trusted, hard working battler. Keegan is a dependable player in that he will work his butt off to do what you ask. Doesn’t have great size as a wing but will do whatever he’s asked to and his effort gets him into space for cutting lay-ups and open floor jumpers.
Trevor Hanson. What I learned about Trevor this weekend is that he understands movement and space in the halfcourt offense and while he may not be the most athletic, Trevor moves fluidly through the offense to get into space to catch and finish. His mid-range touch is better than I saw in previous weekends too.
ECI Prospects
Jake Mertens. Jake had a couple multiple three-point hit games this weekend and when we saw him play there were agile guards harassing his full court advancement but Mertens didn’t turn the ball over.
Austin Reed. Bigger, stronger, more agile than we thought. Looks a bit bigger than the listed 6-foot-2. Seems to still be working to find his consistent role.
Zach Dahlen. Dahlen knocked out three triples in the game we saw meaning in the last three viewings for PHD we’ve seen Zach hit a dozen treys. Seems like a Carter Keller like player (he was the shooting guard from SF Washington last year in South Dakota).
Justin Engg. This was a better weekend for Engg. A skilled, strong forward that is comfortable facing up and making a shot with a dribble or feet set but also has the size to fight with some fours.
Siman Sem. There is no doubt that he seems more comfortable on the go. When we saw ECI Sem was making things happen on the move and he’s definitely put in some work on dribble separation which he has gone to more with decent results. Long and agile at guard he’s still working on consistency and when it comes for him it should for the team all around.
Logan Nelson. Logan is a bit taller, looks stronger than a year ago. Seems to have improved his ball handling as he looks more comfortable with the ball against a working defender.
Jordan Meidinger. When he got the ball on the block he finished. We didn’t see him get many post touches but when he did the results were positive. Defensively he makes everybody think twice about an attack and there were some guys who tried it, were swatted, then didn’t try again. Jordan is coming off an ankle injury and still working to get into playing shape so minutes are a bit limited now.
SD Heat
Tate Gale. This experience will be so valuable for Tate. He’s playing up and giving his team steady play facing more matured players. An efficient 5-foot-11 guard h who had eight points on four shots when we saw him.
Tiegen Priebe. Tiegen simply glides with the ball and a lot of defenders have trouble keeping the Chamberlain guard in front. We are encouraged by the way he was able to get into space to attempt, he just had a nightmare of a two games finishing when we were in attendance.
Nick Nagel. A small, West Central guard who seems to have some shooting range. One of many Heat ball handlers.
Sheldon Siemonsma. Sheldon exploded for four trey in the first five minutes against the Playmakers, then went cold. The Playmakers hounded him so he couldn’t get any more open looks. Sheldon has a reputation in this league as a guy who must be located anywhere on the floor, At 6-foot-4 he has good size as a shooter and he rebounded well too.
Jeffrey Schuch. The Dell Rapids 2018 is playing up a level at 17U and is doing if very well. The older mature players were not able to stop him from knocking down 18 points on ten shots including three treys. Rebounded very well at 6-foot-5, an agile forward, and scored consistently. Definitely one of the 2018 prospects to keep a close eye on.