Hardwood Classic: Five Takeaways

<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 1.1em; color: #ff6600;"><strong>Cedar Rapids Washington</strong></span> After winning just seven games last season, there could be a dramatic turnaround for the Warriors this winter. Their talent was on full display during a Team Iowa Blue 17U Sweet 16 run. It's well documented that <strong>Hunter </strong><b>Strait</b> is one of the smoothest point guards in the state -- he'll run the show. But <strong>Max Campbell</strong> is a 6-foot-6 power forward who plays with grit and pairs that with some nice skill. <strong>Maleik Jackson</strong> was sensational in the game we saw in Lawrence; a sharpshooting 6-foot guard that pairs nicely with Strait's savvy and ability to get into the lane. Those three paired with <strong>Donovan Beard</strong>, <strong>Ian Thomas</strong> and others could make a more-than-formidable squad in Eastern Iowa next season. &nbsp; <strong><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 1.1em;">Kingdom Hoops Elite 17U</span></strong> This is the performance the team was waiting for all spring and summer. And it all came to a boil at the very end. This group could very well be the finest team in the state (17U and 16U 'Stormers, 16U Martin Brothers also in the mix), and they proved that by beating solid team after solid team in Lawrence last weekend. What made them so dangerous was that every game a different player shined. Whether it was <strong>Drew Maschoff</strong>, <strong>Trey Buchanan</strong> (IL), <strong>Doug Wilson</strong>, <strong>Tajen Ross</strong>, <strong>Ben Juhl</strong> or somebody else, the amount of weapons on this team makes them tough to beat. What a run in Lawrence. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 1.1em; color: #ff6600;"><strong>James Betz</strong></span> We have him ranked 5th in 2019, so it's not like he was unknown. But it still felt like a bit of a coming-out party for the 6-foot-6 forward. He was heartbeat of a Kingdom Hoops 15U squad that was playing without point guard Tyreke Locure, and he almost willed them to the Final 4 (narrowly lost to Illinois Wolves in Elite 8). Big, strong, extremely athletic, and skilled, this kid will have Division I offers before too long. &nbsp; <span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 1.1em;"><strong>Kingdom Hoops Family</strong></span> The video below says it all. These guys were ultra-supportive of each other all weekend. Whether on the same squad or different squad, if you're a Kingdom Hoops guy you are apart of a family. Countless high-fives, conversations and general positivity was shared between the Kingdom Hoops guys all weekend. It made the tournament that much more fun to cover. https://twitter.com/TjRushing/status/757317552271831040 &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 1.1em; color: #ff6600;"><strong>CIML Star Power</strong></span> <strong>Jal Bijiek</strong>, <strong>Doug Wilson</strong>, <strong>Drew Maschoff</strong> get a lot of the headlines, and they were all great last weekend. Those three alone will make the CIML must-watch basketball next season. But there is another tier of great ballplayers that will turn some heads next season. How about <strong>Trevor Miller</strong> from Urbandale, he and fellow 2017 <strong>Brayden Miller</strong> will help the J-Hawks win a lot more games than the seven they won last season. Fellow AFES 17U forward <strong>Solomon Clayton</strong> is going to wreck-shop in Fort Dodge - he's a fierce 6-foot-4 Division II prospect. <strong>Lino Malual</strong> will be a nice third option for Des Moines North, which will contend for a state title. And Johnston 2018 <strong>Bo Sandquist</strong> was dazzling, putting on a shooting clinic all weekend. Hoover 2019 <strong>Marcus Edwards</strong> proved he has a flare for the dramatic, especially game-winning shots. Last, but not least, we need to talk about Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U studs <strong>Camden VanderZwaag</strong> (Johsnton), and <strong>Nathan Johnson</strong> (Waukee) -- those guys are stars in the making. The CIML will be extraordinarily fun to watch next season.