2022 Rankings Update: Potential Breakouts
The Class of 2022 is one of the deepest classes I’ve seen in the state of Iowa. There will be plenty of eyes all over the state this winter, but I want to look at the players who are ranked…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2022 is one of the deepest classes I’ve seen in the state of Iowa. There will be plenty of eyes all over the state this winter, but I want to look at the players who are ranked #11-30 that could breakout this season before our next rankings update looking to take a step up. This chuck of players is loaded with potential and it’s hard not to pick them all, but here are my potential breakout players:
Eli Raridon Eli Raridon 6'7" | PF Valley | 2022 State IA – West Des Moines Valley High School, Post – #13 Player in Iowa
Though he will probably find himself catching passes as a TE at the next level, Raridon is a pretty good basketball player in his own right as well. He’s athletic, with strong hands who can finish at the rim or above the rim. He runs the floor well to make himself an option for teammates, and will dunk every chance he gets at the rim. Post moves are a little raw, but he knows how to find open space within the offense to score the basketball.
Lucas Lorenzen Lucas Lorenzen 6'4" | SF Okoboji | 2022 State IA – Okoboji High School, Guard – #14 Player in Iowa
A top 25 scorer in the state of all classes, Lorenzen can score the ball from all three levels of the court. He’s a tough guard for an opponent because he’s capable of taking what the defense gives him and exploiting it to score. He can shoot it from the perimeter at a high clip, but also is capable of taking his man off the dribble or attacking close-outs. He draws a lot of attention from the defense and still puts up the numbers he does.
Jaxson Young Jaxson Young 6'0" | SG Linn-Mar | 2022 State IA – Linn-Marr High School, CG – #15 Player in Iowa
Probably the most likely on this list to show something and move up in our rankings. Young is a talented scorer who can score from all levels. He can bring the ball up and initiate offense, or he can go off the ball. He’s not afraid to take a smaller defender in the post and use his strength but he can also step out and shoot it off the dribble or catch. He’s a competitive defender on the other side of the court as well. Looking for his first varsity minutes this winter, Young should see that and more.
Ashton Hermann Ashton Hermann 6'4" | SG Ballard | 2022 State IA – Ballard High School, Guard – #18 Player in Iowa
A savvy guard who likes to go into attack mode when he has the ball. Hermann is good from the outside and shows a good outside shooting stroke. He has nice dribble moves to get his defender off balance and take him to the rack. A competitive player who with added dimensions to his scoring could take Ballard to another level this winter. Been a top performer in the Fall Exclusive event.
Karter Petzenhauser Karter Petzenhauser 6'4" | SG Spencer | 2022 State IA – Spencer High School, PG – #19 Player in Iowa
Petzenhauser first stuck out to me this summer playing for the Martin Brother’s 16U team. Petzenhauser is talented PG who is good at getting the offense in places to score. He’s a heady guard who understands where the ball needs to go and when he needs to score. He is a good shooter, who also can take it to the hoop to create for himself or teammates.
Zach Erwin Zach Erwin 6'6" | SF Camanche | 2022 State IA – Camanche High School, Wing – #22 Player in Iowa
Erwin has impressed me this fall in the Prep Hoops Exclusive event where he’s shown he can hang inside with some good post players. He’s a strong player who can rebound well. Erwin can also take it outside and shoot it from the perimeter. He has athleticism to add to his 6’6 frame that allows him to play on the perimeter and get by defenders to the hoop. Has played almost every position on the court, even bringing up the ball for his team and initiating the offense or scoring from the top of the key.
Adam Mattes Adam Mattes 6'3" | SG Newton | 2022 State IA – Newton High School, Guard/Wing – #23 Player in Iowa
Playmaker for his high school team who creates off his shot-making ability. Can come off screens, dribble hand-offs, and catch and shoot opportunities. Has the ability to get to the hoop off of ball-screens, or off of straight drives by his defender. Has good size to play the wing at 6’3, and can take smaller defenders into the post. Good player who takes what the defense gives him.
Gunner Meyer Gunner Meyer 6'5" | SF Wapsie Valley | 2022 State IA – Wapsie Valley High School, Wing – #24 Player in Iowa
An athletic wing who had a breakout state tournament and did well on the circuit playing for the Iowa Barnstormers this past summer. Meyer has some bounce to go along with a good shooting stroke from the 3 point line. He’s pretty raw but there’s obvious potential oozing from this kid’s game. Has the potential to be a good perimeter defender who can use his athleticism on the ball or effecting shots around the rim.
Vance Katzfey Vance Katzfey 6'3" | SG Spirit Lake | 2022 State IA – Spirit Lake High School, Guard – #27 Player in Iowa
Quick guard who likes to push the ball by way of dribble or passes ahead to a teammate. Good at finishing around the basket even through contact. At his best when in transition, on the break, where he’s good at filling lanes and receiving a pass from a teammate for easy buckets around the cup. Good in 1-on-1 situations who can use an ample of moves to get by his defender. Ability to step out and make the 3 point shot as well.
Jonathan Beverly Jonathan Beverly 6'2" | SF Ames | 2022 IA – Des Moines Hoover High School, Guard – #29 Player in Iowa
Another athletic guard on this list is Jonathan Beverly Jonathan Beverly 6'2" | SF Ames | 2022 IA . Thrives on defense which in turn creates more offense for him. Is good in transition and can take it to the hoop by gliding by defenders. Has some shake to his game, but can also step out and hit a jumper from the outside. His on-ball defending skills are what intrigues me as he is capable of locking down the opponent’s best offensive player.