Midwest Live! Five Takeaways
Kaiden Phillips Breakout Stars Several players used this weekend to bolster their stock, here’s list of guys who surprised us the most this weekend: Kaiden Phillips (Davenport Central), Will…
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Continue ReadingBreakout Stars
Several players used this weekend to bolster their stock, here’s list of guys who surprised us the most this weekend: Kaiden Phillips (Davenport Central), Will Henricksen (Marion), Jamison Gruber (Council Bluffs Lincoln), Luth Dak (Storm Lake), Matt Ockey (Gilbert), Jacob Runyan (Johnston), Hogan Hansen (Waverly-Shell Rock). That’s not to say these were the seven best players we saw, but rather seven guys who exceeded our even lofty expectations of them.
Thrilling 17u Title
This was a game we weren’t going to miss, it was an all-Iowa 17u title game, and that’s right up our alley. The Kingdom Hoops squad, comprised largely of 2019 guys, came out and looked dominant, building a double-digit lead early in the first half, and pushing it to 19 points by early in the second. Then the guys from Barnstormers made their move. The energy among the ‘Stormers group was heightened and that resulted in a slew of caused turnovers and quick buckets; a highlight being when Davenport Central’s Kaiden Phillips threw down two dunks in a 10 second span. At the apex of the Barnstormers’ run, the game was ties at 64, it seemed as if they were going to pull of the truly improbable comeback. That’s when the veteran Kingdom Hoops squad put the kibosh on any hopes the ‘Stomers had of getting over the proverbial hump. The game ended anticlimactically with some defensive stops and made free-throws and Kingdom Hoops winning by five, but the comeback process was thrilling to see.
Jacob Runyan
Resilient Kingdom Hoops Navy
We made it a priority to check out Kingdom Hoops’ top 15u squad, and the first game they played last weekend, we were court-side. They got out to a rocky start in that one, against a pretty good Mid MO Elite squad, and despite some late heroics by Johnston freshman point guard Jacob Runyan, Kingdom fell just short and dropped to 0-1. From then, they did not lose, and defeated a very good MOKAN squad in the process. That win would allow them to win the pool, and compete in the 15u platinum title game against the Iowa Barnstormers Black, which they won easily. It was plain to see, even during the loss, that the Kingdom Hoops squad was immensely talented, and they’re resilient, too.
Hogan Hansen
Shake My Head
There were several guys who made me shake my head in disbelief last week. When I find myself shaking my head in disbelief, it’s a good indicator of when something special is happening. Jacob Runyan of Johnston caused the biggest head-shaking when he went ballistic at the end of Kingdom Hoops Navy’s first game of the weekend against Mid MO Elite, he was using a tight handle, some crazy vision, special passing and plenty of scoring ability to nearly will his team to a win after being down big in the second half. Hogan Hansen scored 35 points against MOKAN 16u on Saturday, and he was on a mission to do it. He came out firing in that one, and after a somewhat cold start, the Waverly-Shell Rock freshman got scolding hot, making seven 3s before it was said and done. The last game we saw on Sunday provided ample entertainment, thanks to Marion junior Will Henricksen using shooting and a tight handle to dominate the opponent in a 17u gold title game. The 5’10 guard canned a whopping seven 3-balls in that one and finished with 27 points.
Hosea Treadwell
Plenty of 2019 Talent Remains
When five of the state’s best unsigned seniors get together to play mostly younger dudes, titles happen. With this being a live period event and all, there were several college coaches on hand to take in the talent last weekend. As a result, Kingdom Hoops Navy 17u featured a handful of unsigned seniors on the roster. Aside from almost giving up a 19 point lead in the finals to Barnstormers Black, this group of seniors impressively breezed through the competition en route to the 17u title. Hoover’s Hosea Treadwell was most impressive, Huskies teammate Adam Jackson wasn’t far behind. Valley duo Aguek Deng and Trayvon Williams will be a terrific get for whatever team they sign with. Roosevelt guard Marcus Edwards could be a serviceable guard for any small college. JuCos and prep schools have been in the mix with some or all of these guys.