Grassroots Preview: West Central United Select 16U

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grassroots season is underway and the talent pool in the state of Minnesota is incredibly spread out, meaning there should be a lot of really good, competitive clubs. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here is a quick look at WC United 16U</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Guards:</strong> Grant Beuckens, Cooper Yaggie, Sam Votava, Elijah Morris, Finn Diggins</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beuckens is a solid point guard who excels when he’s attacking and facilitating. He was an all-conference guy as just a sophomore and should continue to develop into one of the better outstate guards in the 2021 class.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Diggins is a swingman who was one of the better players at Perham as a sophomore and will be a breakout candidate next winter. He’s transitioning from more a frontcourt role into being a ball handler but he’s athletic, pretty skilled and has shown a lot of improvement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Morris is one of the elite shooters in the state. Another Perham kid, Morris has good size for a shooting guard and knows how to get to spots on the floor where he can be available for kickouts, or away from defenders.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yaggie is a tough-minded lead guard out of Breckenridge who puts pressure on the ball and pushes the tempo.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Votava was one of the key guys for East Grand Forks last winter and put up solid numbers scoring and distributing. He’s a solid deep shooter but has a really nice feel for the game and does a good job balancing looking for his own shot with finding teammates. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Forwards</strong>: Boden Lien, Corbin Froelich, Jaden Norby, Chance Fazio</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lien is a player to watch, who at 6-foot-7, has the length, mobility and touch to really shine this summer. He’s comfortable facing up and attacking from the mid-post, finishing around the rim and defending in and out of the paint. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fazio is a load inside at 6-foot-10. He’s not the most athletic or explosive but he does a good job screening and carving out space to be available for drivers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Norby is a physical and active post player out of Ashby who produces consistently on the glass and in the paint. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Froelich is a really talented scorer out of Paynesville. He’s an excellent long range shooter and is aggressive getting his shot and breaking down defenses. At 6-foot-3, he’s got good size for a swingman.</span></p>