The First Five: South Dakota Attack 17u
PHD was able to get eyes on South Dakota Attack’s 17 and Under team the last two weekends allowing us to continue with our latest “First Five”.
The Attack is a modest 5-5 on the season. PHD watched them play three halves in Iowa and for part of their game Saturday afternoon in the Twin Cities against Minnesota Fury Antl. Here are our thoughts on some of their standouts.
Connor Crane (6-5 forward from Sturgis Brown). Haven’t really been able to see Crane this spring but we’ve seen him in the past and we know that this is a frontcourt player in South Dakota that few can match-up with. Why? His agility is too much for sizeable players who can’t move their feet with him nor make enough contact on him in the paint to slow him from vaulting to the glass. If you put a smaller big on him the length of Crane can simply go over the top and he’s going to be more agile than any frontcourt player on the average in South Dakota. Saved his best for big games, like the 22 point, seven rebound, six block late season performance against Douglas. Also hit 12 of 15 foul shots because the shooting touch is there. Moves his feet well enough to guard some small forwards and uses his length well to deflect or distract.
Jaden Kleinhesselink (6-2 guard from Sheldon, Iowa). A two sport standout (three actually when you include track and field) that loves hoops but is a fantastic football player too. In Iowa schools like Northwestern, Briar Cliff, and Dordt were present watching him as a basketball standout. People are recruiting him as a combo guard and quarterback because he is a leader on whatever playing surface he steps on. Solid shooter behind the arc making 38 percent this season but just like on the football field where he distributes through the air, Jaden is an excellent passer who is one of the top playmakers on his teams as far as assists are concerned.
Will Pottebaum (6-2 guard from LeMars). As far talents go from Iowa as well as talents on South Dakota AAU squads only a few can say they have been playing as well as Will so far this season. We’ve seen a bit of everything from Will and have to say he’s been one of April’s best. The three point stroke has been on at a high percentage, he’s a much more explosive player going at the rim than we knew, and playmaking, Will does some beautiful things on the move with the ball in his hands. Has shown many different ways to separate and make plays including the dribble separation moves, the spin move, and ball screens are perfect for him because he’s too quick for bigs so guards have to get over the screen to stop the attack. Go under the screen? No. Will is too deadly of a feet set shooter.
Jackson Reiff (6-4 wing from SF Roosevelt). We should of seen some of this coming. Jackson’s high school team had a tough year but he was one of only a few honored in the post season by the Metro Conference. Then in Iowa we caught some of his best work knocking out three pointers on the perimeter with a beautiful stroke. Jackson worked his way into space moving hard off the ball, got his feet set and hands up, caught, and executed a nice looking shot with confidence. Many guys can shoot but not many guys are 6-foot-4 and can shoot really well. That’s Jackson’s chance to set himself apart.
Jaron Zwagerman (6-4 power forward from SF O’Gorman). In today’s age of basketball size up front is important, but not as vital as it was 15-20 years ago (and before). Teams need frontcourt players that are tough, and that can move. You have to be active and you have to be able to move your feet. Enter Jaron Zwagerman, a junior that worked his way into a talented senior state championship line-up. The first thing I love about Jaron is the way he sets screens. Those picks done with a sprint into a physical but proper technique contact followed by a sprint to the next assignment say everything about him. Willing to do the dirty work and willing to do it correctly. Zwagerman rebounds very well, gets up and down the floor ahead of size, and has a really nice mid-range jumper too.