Mitchell/Watertown – 5 Names to Know
Mitchell versus Watertown was today’s feature. Here are five returning standouts from today’s talent search. Zane Alm of Mitchell (6’8 PF/C, 2021). At 6-foot-8 Zane Alm runs really well for his size and he’s really good using his length to…
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Continue ReadingMitchell versus Watertown was today’s feature. Here are five returning standouts from today’s talent search.
Zane Alm of Mitchell (6’8 PF/C, 2021). At 6-foot-8 Zane Alm runs really well for his size and he’s really good using his length to contest and get a hand on shots. Very good timing with his shot blocking/shot contesting. Alm defensively rebounded out of his area more than I expected to see which is a great sign and he did that consistently for a good board total (I had him for 9). I really like the target that Alm gave his man in the post high in the air will still sitting and controlling the smaller defender behind him. Had some pretty left-handed finishes. Good passer out of the corner and high post as well. Also, Alm made a tying buzzer beater at the end of regulation touching in a contested shot on the move to move his team into overtime.
Ben Helleloid of Mitchell (6’0 Point Guard, 2021). It’s a simple thing but it’s something I love about Ben, and that’s his rapid ball swings from the top of the key. Helleloid does about a good of a job moving the ball right to left (and vice versa) as anybody plus his one dribble attack into a quick pass to the wing/corner consistently forced the defense to move allowing for catches in good spots. Those are things good point guards do.
Defensively Ben had some possessions that had this old coach (me) up and excited! Helleloid’s ability to sprint with his man while also staying low allowing him either sprint step or laterally step to stay with his man was exciting to see. At one point he went through three screens to get to his shooter and still got into a deep stance quickly to force his man away from the attack and into a bad spot. That happened on several occasions.
The final note is about Ben’s shot. It’s tough for us to know exactly how well Ben shoots the ball percentage wise at this point but I can tell you I like how he keeps the ball high and how quickly he is able to get it off.
Mason Larson of Mitchell (5’6 PG, 2022). Larson was the youngest player on the floor late and the shortest, and he finished the game scoreless. So why was he on the floor? Most basketball coaches would tell you quickly that it was because of his intelligence and effort. Larson seemed to step to his man with the ball like a hungry shark every time forcing the ball to moved elsewhere. On the other end it was Larson quickly snapping the ball to the right spots and then sprinting to his screen or next open spot. In other words Mason is dependable and a name to watch for the next two years.
Dawson Schmidt of Watertown (6’3 PG, 2021). This game helped me become a big fan of what Dawson Schmidt can be as a prospect. Mitchell had to guard Schmidt with a smaller player to match Dawson’s quickness but it simply didn’t work. Dawson’s patience in waiting for space to open combined with a rapid first step meant he was living at the second level to create shots or go full throttle to the rim. Moving feet laterally with Schmidt is tough because he changes directions too quickly on a dime for defenders to react to.
At that size (6-foot-3) with good ball handling skills and quickness, Schmidt is certainly an intriguing player for the next level. I especially liked how he was able to read screens with patience and then make a high percentage decision for his team. The shot moving off the ball screen is clean and tough to contest because Dawson has good lift on his jumper along with those 75 inches of height.
Kale Stevenson of Watertown (5’10 Guard, 2021). Stevenson played off the ball for Watertown and supplied a number of positives including a pair of threes stepping back to extend the defense with open triples. Stevenson is one of these hard working players that will out sprint players to spots meaning he gets to his closeouts, he gets up the floor for transition chances, and he’s often in position for a three after a kickout or reversal. Hit a massive three late in the game.