Winter Lakes Classic – Senior Standouts

<p>What seniors made a major impact at the Winter Lakes Classic in Alexandria last Saturday?  Prep Hoops breaks it down now!</p> <p><strong>Jack Balsider/<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-otto/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-otto/">Max Otto</a></a> </strong>(6’5 PFs, 2020) of Delano. The beauty of Delano is the quality of their role players and how well they play their roles. Both Jack and Max totaled double-doubles on Saturday dominating the boards and scoring nearly every time they had a chance to shoot the ball. These are workers that not only play their role but really seem to enjoy it. Jack had ten points and ten boards while Max totaled 11 points with 14 rebounds.</p> <p><strong>Julian Benson </strong>(6’2 PF, 2020) of East Grand Forks. Benson is a strong, linebacker of a power forward that often plays with his back to the basket. Scored all of his points in active plays (dump off finishes, putbacks, cuts, etc) totaling nine points with four boards. Had a 49 point game a month ago, scored four baskets with five boards versus Sauk Centre.</p> <p><strong>Kobe Beattie</strong> (6’3, SG, 2020) of Eden Valley-Watkins. Within a framework of constant ball movement and aggressive off ball activity, Kobe continues to do his job really well. Has the length and touch to hit a couple shots at the arc, the size and agility to score on the move at the rim, and the patience to wait for opportunity as well. Had ten points, eight boards, and three assists in the win over Melrose.</p> <p><strong>Luke Jansen</strong> (6’4, SG, 2020) of Eden Valley-Watkins. Someday at some D3 school we will be hearing about Luke knocking out jumpers for a good team. At his size as a two plus Luke’s consistency at the arc, it’s going to happen. He knocked out three triples today plus did a masterful job of leading his team in moving the ball in the Melrose defense dissection. Scored 16 with four boards</p> <p><strong>Charlie Rasmussen</strong> (6’1, PG, 2020) of Perham. Rasmussen has a drive that is different than most. And his drive is all team centered. Took eight shots but also had a focus of hitting the cutters and shooters within the framework. Love his d-board and transition push, love his effort to the glass, love his fight to defensive position. Excellent work for 13 points on seven shots plus six boards and five assists.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-savageau/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-savageau/">Daniel Savageau</a></a></strong> (5’11, PG, 2020) of Osakis.   The first thing that caught my eye today was the deep and quick handles that Daniel has getting into space. He has a quicker first step than I thought allowing him to blow by the first defender regularly. The speed and handles of Daniel have guys instantly on their heels. Daniel has to play duel guard roles for Osakis scoring and creating for others. It will be really interesting to see how he plays in college when he doesn’t have to do both in the same volume. I believe he’s going to be a better lead guard than I thought at the next level. Had 17 points on 7 of 15 shooting with six boards in a close game with Perham.</p> <p><strong>Keagan Smith</strong> (6’7, PF, 2020) of Delano. What really grabbed my attention from Keagan this weekend was how well he passed the ball. Every read he seemed to make was perfect and led to an open shot for a teammate. He’s a 20 point per game guy that doesn’t seem to aggressively look for his offense, it just comes within the flow. Showed off a perimeter touch too scoring 16 on 6 of 12 shooting with five boards and seven assists.</p> <p><strong>Nathan Willett</strong> (6’6 Forward 2020) of East Grand Forks. One of my favorite parts of getting out and seeing teams is seeing new players that may not be widely known and seeing that they are college basketball worthy. Willett looks college basketball worthy. He came into the Sauk Centre game averaging 19.8 points a game and he was aggressive early on offense. Willett hit an early three and was then aggressive the next time down missing his next attempt. The coach sat him down early and then re-inserted Willett two minutes later. A play was quickly called for Willett at the rim and off Nathan went scoring 17 first half points. The scores included three threes overall (decent stroke), a couple low post scores, cuts to finish behind the defense, and a first half ending dunk. This is about a 6-foot-6 forward that has some raw skills but strong potential. Nathan runs really well and was too agile for size to rotate to in the halfcourt set. Scored 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting.</p>