Hardwood Classic (Kansas): Sunday Standouts
Tate Bear, 6’3 F (Iowa Intensity 17U)
We’ve been meaning to see this rising senior play for some time now, and got that opportunity for our last game in Kansas. It didn’t take long for the long and athletic stretch-four to impress. Early in the first half, he pulled down one of his many rebounds, brought the ball up the floor adeptly and then confidently rained in a 3-ball. He can do it all on the floor, and it’s no wonder he’s been posting such prolific numbers fro Meskwaki Settlement School the past two seasons.
Jake Beckmann, 6′ PG (Team Iowa Silver 16U)
It was our second viewing of Beckmann this offseason, and each time we’ve come away really impressed. He’s a quick and athletic guard with a good feel for the game, and has a tight enough handle to probe the defense very effectively. His jumper is adept, he canned a couple 3s in his team’s Elite 8 game, but it’s not his strength. His strength is ball-handling and distributing.
Davis Wagner, 6’3 SF (Team Iowa Silver 16U)
This was the first time we remember seeing Wagner, and he left a big impression on us. A slasher, Davis was his team’s leading scorer in an Elite 8 game against Howard Pulley EYBL, and he was doing almost all of his damage off dribble-drives. He’s got a knack for getting to the rim, and a gift for getting tough shots around the rim to drop.
Daverion Goree, 5’10 PG (KC Spurs Black 16U)
After his game against SW Iowa Select, we asked him if he had eyes in the back of his head. A slender, athletic point guard, Goree might have been the best passer we saw all weekend, and this tourney was loaded with talent. It was clear that his first priority is to set up teammates for success, and he does it with flare.
AJ Cooper, 6′ SG (KC Spurs Black 16U)
A sniper, Cooper was the beneficiary of Goree’s great vision, but he was also easily the best scorer in the game we saw against SW Iowa Select. Cooper canned four 3s in his team’s win and scored a game-high 19 points. He’s got a quick and confident release from deep, but when guys start to close out too hard, he’s a capable dribble-driver too.
Jalen Miles, 6’1 G (SW Iowa Select 17U)
One of two Millard South guys who thoroughly impressed in Kansas, this Omaha guard was dominant during the second half of a hard-fought win over Iowa Cornsharks. Miles poured in 14 of his 18 points in the second frame and was virtually unstoppable when driving to the rim. He also canned a 3-ball in that second half run for good measure.
Felix Gallagher, 6’5 F (Iowa Cornsharks 17U)
Maybe he wasn’t the most skilled guy on the floor, but he was certainly the most energetic. That’s not to say he lacks skill, the big-man moves well and has a pretty good looking jumper. But his high-motor and vocal leadership were the most striking part about his game. He’s a heart and soul guy, and what a weapon to have for Des Moines Lincoln.
Cliff McCray, 6’2 PG (Showtime Hoopers Black 17U)
The Sioux City West point guard wasn’t scoring in bunches this weekend, but McCray doesn’t have to score in bunches to dramatically impact a game. He skies for rebounds, deflects passes on defense, locks down his man and passes as well as anyone in Iowa. McCray did get loose for a two-hand slam, showing off some high-level athleticism, and the next time down had an offensive rebound tip-in. He’s a guy that should be receiving serious Division I attention.