Hard Work Finals, JFK: Friday’s Top Wisconsin Combos

I tried to diversify myself today, I really did. Through six games watching 12 different teams, only three of them were Wisconsin-based programs. Still, Wisconsin’s prospects plastered my Twitter, and the amount of one-two punches from the state beckoned me to this.

Below are the top Wisconsin combos from Friday’s slate at JFK high school.

Wisconsin RAP 17U – Shilo Bowles, Gerald Gittens Jr., Aiden Flynn, and Brandin Podziemski: Wisconsin RAP fielded a throng of college coaches Friday afternoon, all of which were hoping to follow the crumb trail left at the Summer Challenge tournament two weekends ago. Bowles, Gittens, Flynn, and Podziemski pinned RAP on the prospect map after trudging through bracket play and winning the 17U field. Now, two weekends later, more than ten coaches fell enamored with the idea of four college-level players on one roster.

The improvement in Bowles’ three-point shooting was clear as day compared to his 30 percent clip during the schools season. That paired with a couple of smooth drives to the hoop had scouts salivating over what might come from the 6-foot-5, lengthy forward. Gittens’ relentless driving game and nose for the free-throw line, a niche he carved out during his last school season, fueled a 15 point outing. Podziemski, the 16-year old superlative, seemed a step ahead of the pack today, leaking out in transition for dunks and scoring with relative ease all afternoon. Flynn put the cadre of prospects over the top, though. His maneuvers in the paint and finishing prowess made for a four-headed monster that was one scorer too many for QC Ballers.

B.C Swag 16U – Ronja Kelly and Rashad Kelly: The Kelly’s impressed me today as brothers who complimented each other’s shared strengths. Both fit as score-first guards, Ronja scoring 24 points while Rashad finished with 11. Both showed transcendent defensive instinct, jumping in passing lanes and scavenging on indecisive guards. Rashad had the advantage over his brother shooting the three and as a passer in the half-court, though Ronja was better when crashing the glass, scoring off the pick n’ roll, and may have had a slight edge athletically.

Wisconsin Surge Elite 17U – Jacob Hefle, James Randolph, Jaylyn Kelly, and Logan Geissler:
Randolph’s potential as a center accompanies his lucrative wingspan and length. He gobbled up rebounds this afternoon, governing the glass while racking up second-chance opportunities. He finished with 14 points but was outdone by guard Jacob Hefle, who tallied 16 points on the night. Hefle converted on two threes today and a handful of layups and crafty floaters. His movement and cutting off the ball gave their offense a fluid pace as well. Logan Geissler played the role of primary facilitator and transition savant, while Jaylyn Kelly’s quickness and tight handle made him a constant threat in the paint.