Prep Hoops Top 250: The Top 5 Performers

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">In Sioux Falls on Sunday afternoon, 69 players from Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota all took part in the South Dakota Prep Hoops 250 Expo. The Prep Hoops team watched a lot of basketball, which showcased a lot of talent from around the area. Here are the Top 5 performers from the event: </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <p><strong><em>2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="682280" first="Lucas" last="Lorenzen"] (Okoboji) </em></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It wasn’t even close who took home the MVP from the Prep Hoops 250 Expo on Sunday, as the sophomore from Okoboji stood out with his scoring and playmaking ability. In all three games, Lorenzen scored 20-plus points, while also combining for eight three-pointers in his first two contests. While he plays the big man for the Pioneers of Class 2A, he’s a guard that can hit from anywhere on the floor and always finding a way to get open. Lorenzen is smooth when he drives the lane and also has good ball-handling skills. The fact he’s only a sophomore is impressive. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <p><strong><em>2020 F [player_tooltip player_id="879070" first="Kobe" last="Busch"] (Huron) </em></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Listed as the Top player in 2020 for South Dakota, the senior from Huron has a high basketball IQ and has good court awareness. While he can be physical and strong when driving to the rim, he has good decision making that is key when it comes to his passing and shot selection. He is a sharpshooter with a nice touch that should find success at the next level. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <p><strong><em>2020 F Nathan Gilbertson (Sioux Falls Washington)</em></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">As the day progressed, we got to see more and more from the six-foot-five senior. He had back-to-back three-pointers and scored over double digits in his second game just five minutes into the contest. In that span, he converted on a turnaround jumper as well. He also showed that he can play above the rim by throwing down multiple dunks and has the potential to always make explosive plays. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <p><em><strong>2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="812194" first="Jerry" last="Deng"] (Sioux Falls Washington) </strong></em></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Much like Lorenzen, Deng has a lot of time to develop his game. The 6-foot-7 power forward can use his length and height around the basket to come away with rebounds on second-chance scoring opportunities. While many would anticipate him only being tough inside with his size, Deng isn’t afraid to knock down the three-pointer as well. He’s a versatile player that can cause problems for opponents on both ends of the floor. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <p><em><strong>2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="757844" first="Dillon" last="Gestring"] (Vermillion) </strong></em></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Gestring, who was teamed up with [player_tooltip player_id="682280" first="Lucas" last="Lorenzen"] and Red Cloud Indian School’s [player_tooltip player_id="732165" first="Riyen" last="Carlow"], progressed as the games went on and had a strong showing. He had multiple big takes to the basket that were impressive in all three games, along with a big block on the defensive end in his second game. Besides being a scorer, he made good, strong passes to help set his teammates up to score. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <p><u><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Honorable Mentions</span></u></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2020 G [player_tooltip player_id="801952" first="Jamison" last="Helmers"] (Okoboji)</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2020 C, F [player_tooltip player_id="853284" first="Caden" last="Johnson"] (Minot)</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2020 G [player_tooltip player_id="732165" first="Riyen" last="Carlow"] (Red Cloud Indian School)</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="731876" first="Jacksen" last="Moni"] (Sheyenne) </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2020 F [player_tooltip player_id="879074" first="Gavin" last="Terhark"] (Brandon Valley) </span></p>