NHR State 16U Sunday Standouts
D1 Minnesota earned the one seed for this weekend and lived up to expectations winning all seven games and earning the 16 and Under state tournament championship. Markell Aune (Powerhouse MN/Kennedy). In this event there was not a defender that…
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Continue ReadingD1 Minnesota earned the one seed for this weekend and lived up to expectations winning all seven games and earning the 16 and Under state tournament championship.
Markell Aune (Powerhouse MN/Kennedy). In this event there was not a defender that could stop his first step or downhill attack. Sliced gaps to the rim all day and nobody could knock him off balance as Markell is so strong. Had 28 against D1 Minnesota including four triples. Plays a lot like a stronger but not quite as quick Amar Miller. Same attack, same height, both scored a ton early in their career and continued. Both very good.
Jamison Battle (D1 Minnesota/BSM). The young man caught our attention last July with Howard Pulley and the 2019 wing re-caught it with his shooting today playing for D1 Minnesota. Knocked out three treys in the title game just like when we saw him last July hit four treys in a key bracket contest. One of the top 2019 talents in Minnesota.
Byron Bynum (Fury Wilde/Blaine). The word I think of when I see Byron play is stable. As a coach you know that Byron is going to give you defense, you know that when he attacks he will be on balance and he will be able to get a good attempt to the rim, and you know he’s a solid player that guys can’t muscle. I think he has a chance to be a really good lead guard in the coming two years. Oh, and I also need to mention his speed with the ball. When he is able to add controlled finishes to that pace he could be tremendous.
Anthony Davis (D1 Minnesota/Hopkins). We’ve talked about his transition game before but must do it again. It wasn’t just his open floor finishes this time either. We were impressed with how Anthony delivered to others on the break and swinging the ball quickly to shooters in the halfcourt set. Also showed us some consistent range in the final making three jumpers including a triple.
Matthew Hurt (D1 Minnesota/Rochester JM). Watching him play at this level just seems odd. He’s been playing at the highest level so well that seeing him with younger players is simply different. Almost looks easy at times because even when he missed his attempts he was right there using his length to score again. The thing you love about Matthew is that his demeanor and approach is the same if he is playing against the best seniors in the nation or random 16U teams. Matthew had a dunk over the top of Luke Glenna that will go down in history as one of the most physical ever. In the final Matt had 19 points, seven blocks, and six assists including some late game powerful post finishes and a dagger corner trey. Guys tried to go at him early and he just returned their mail in a fierce way.
Tayler Johnson (Heat Reese/Mpls North). Tayler looks a little taller, a little longer, and little thicker so you can see that the physical tools are there for a top prospect in whatever he does at whatever position he plays.
Dalton Kubista (WOTN/Owatonna). Now here is a new name to lock into your brain. Dalton is about to have two excellent years at Owatonna because there is a combination of skill and fight to this kid at 6-foot-3 on the wing that few have. Was able to dribble separate against all the forwards he faced this weekend. When shots went up he was the first person to react and chase.
Cody Landwher (D1 Minnesota/Sauk Rapids-Rice). Cody gets better every time I see him. His jumpshot has definitely improved and today we saw him making that jumper over the outstretched arms of hotly contesting opponents. With a jumper, with him growing to about 6-foot-6, and Cody always rebounding he is maintaining his status as potential scholarship player. Scored 15 points in the title game showing that improved jumper again making seven of nine shots including a late three. Also showed some impressive bounce on an alley-oop two-hand finish.
Eric McDavid (Powerhouse MN). Eric made several treys on Saturday and then down the stretch in a big win over Heat Reese he only hit a trey late but scored inside twice battling for position, releasing in traffic, taking contact but staying on balance to finish. He’s a shooter with a strong frame that can battle around the basket as well.
Anders Nelson (D1 Minnesota/Edina). Anders is a vocal leader and seemed at times to be the heartbeat of the crew the way he competed and vocally encouraged. Made a big impact taking only six shots and making four. His vocal lead and rapid push that was the biggest piece to his team winning the title.
Jake Phipps (Fury Wilde/Anoka). My samples of seeing him are limited but the first impression is a 6-foot-8 guy that has the potential to grow as a prospect because he’s got a really good build, gets up and down solid, and the one post move I saw was of good quality.
Michael Schaefer (Powerhouse MN/St. Cloud Cathedral). Knocked out five treys and did not back down from Matthew Hurt a bit. Very physical, at times almost too physical as it put him on the bench in foul trouble. But an impressive 25 points scored all together getting 15 at the arc and then another ten physically at the rim either as power scores or foul shots.
Josiah Strong (Powerhouse MN/Champlin Park). Josiah grabbed the attention of the state this winter with his corner treys for the Rebels and Heat Reese won’t be forgetting them either as he sunk five in the first half to give Powerhouse an early lead.
Eric Tiedman (Fury Wilde/Jordan). One of the toughest guys to guard because the 6-foot-6 Jordan forward just keeps coming at you. When given space Eric will face-up and attack hard to his right and if a defender doesn’t get a full body in the path Eric will muscle and finish with touch. Also moves quicker than most bigs with the ball so he is ahead of the pack in transition which also gives him an edge. Was injured all winter so we look forward to seeing what he can do the rest of the summer and into his junior year with Jimmy V.
Joe Whitlock (Fury Wilde/St. Louis Park). File this young man in the top shooter category and the WOTN will back that up because they weren’t able to close out on him and get a good hand up to stop attempts.
Calvin Wishart (D1 Minnesota/Delano). Had 15 points and five assists in the final game but it was the way he went about confidently making plays with a swagger that his teammates caught and also played with. Calvin went from zero to sixty in his triple threat to attack and guys simply couldn’t move with him. His pull-up is so quick and the burst into his pull-up is even quicker. And it’s not just the offensive end, Calvin gets after it with confidence defensively too. Love the way he is competing right now and that means the last nine weeks.