Midwest Live! Friday Recaps

6:00 (17u): Team Iowa Elite 71 vs SW Iowa Select 50

The guys from SW Iowa Select came out guns blazing and took a 16-8 lead early, but then the game settled and the better team prevailed. It was the back-court combo of Jake Beckmann and Will Henricksen that impressed, the two are clearly very comfortable with one another, they're on the same wavelength and it shows. Henricksen's slick dime to Beckmann in the second half was the highlight of the night. By halftime Team Iowa held a 40-33 advantage and they didn't let up after that. Marion's Henricksen led all scorers with 16, Beckmann added 15. For SW Iowa Select it was an Omaha guy, Trevor Albert form Millard South, that impressed, the 6'7 stretch four scored a team-high 13 in the loss, including three triples. 

7:05 (15u): SW Iowa Select 67 vs Showtime Hoopers Black 46

A couple of Iowa freshman gems were unearthed in this one, and that's what we came to see. The first is 6'6 forward Luth Dak from Storm Lake, he was wreaking havoc all over the floor, especially on the defensive end for Showtime Hoopers. The length he possesses was aiding him with blocked shoots, steals and general disruption on the defensive end, he scored nine points on the offensive end, where he's a bit more timid, but loaded with potential. For Southwest Iowa Attack, it was Council Bluffs Lincoln point guard Jamison Gruber who led the charge, the freshman floor general is a slick and heady player who was showcasing advanced  passing skills and vision throughout the dominant win. The game itself was never really in question, SW Iowa Select led 34-25 at the break and never really let Showtime get back into it in the second half.