Block’s Week 6 Roundup-Junior Perfomers
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Here are some of the standout players that I saw in the Class of 2022 from Week 6 high school basketball action. Landyn Van Kekerix, Rock Valley High School (2022) Hands down the hardest working player on the court…
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Continue ReadingHere are some of the standout players that I saw in the Class of 2022 from Week 6 high school basketball action.
Landyn Van Kekerix, Rock Valley High School (2022)
Hands down the hardest working player on the court last Tuesday against an undefeated Spirit Lake team. Van Kekerix didn’t have the highest shooting percentage (42.9%) on the game but ended up with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the game. Did I mention Van Kekerix is 5’11 and seemed to be matched up with a bigger defender for most of the night. He’s an athletic guard, who you never question if the effort is there on the court.
Vance Katzfey Vance Katzfey 6'3" | SG Spirit Lake | 2022 State IA , Spirit Lake High School (2022)
Katzfey got off to a hot start in the game with the speed he possesses in transition and the ability to take defenders on in a fast break scenario. At times, he was getting to the rim with easy blowing by defenders or countering defenders allowing him a clear path to the hoop. He also went 1/3 from the 3pt line but his shot looked good in live time. He would end up with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in the game against Rock Valley.
Adam Mattes Adam Mattes 6'3" | SG Newton | 2022 State IA , Newton High School (2022)
Going into a game against a team that is clicking right now in Indianola, Newton needed to play a really good game to give themselves a chance, and early on Mattes had the Cardinals going. The Indians stiffened up the defense though. Mattes was actively looking for his shot, and would end with 16 points for the Cardinals to go along with 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals on the game. This may be a game that Newton will want to forget but I continue to like Mattes’ game.
Jake Walter Jake Walter 5'10" | CG Prairie | 2022 State IA , Cedar Rapids Prairie High School (2022)
The leader amongst all scorers in the dual between Prairie and Linn-Mar, Walter was good at initiating the offense and trying to get good shots for himself or his teammates. He also shot the 3 ball at a 34% clip on Tuesday, which helped the spacing for the Hawks as they were shooting it well against the Lions. I like Walter’s game and the way he attacks the game. He would end the game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal for the Hawks.
Elijah Ward Elijah Ward 6'2" | CG Prairie | 2022 State IA , Cedar Rapids Prairie High School (2022)
One of the more efficient players on the court on Tuesday was Ward, and he was efficient at a high level as well which was impressive. He finished the game with 16 points on 7/14 shooting from the field and 2/3 from the 3pt line to go along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Ward was hitting contested shot in the midrange, and was obviously effective from the 3pt line off the catch. Ward and Walter are going to be a good duo going forward for this Hawks team over the course of the next two years.
Jayden Hill, Linn-Mar High School (2022)
Having recently returned back to the Lions’ team, Hill showed why he could be a boost for this team going forward. Hill didn’t miss a shot on Tuesday and ended the game with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist, going 4/4 from the 3pt line. Hill’s shot is obviously very good and shows a good release point and mechanics to continuously hit shots from the perimeter.
Jaxson Young Jaxson Young 6'0" | SG Linn-Mar | 2022 State IA , Linn-Mar High School (2022)
Not an offensive game that I’ve come accustomed to seeing from Young after his summer and fall outputs. Nonetheless, Young was a very effective driver with the ball, getting into the lane consistently against the Hawks’ defense. The finishing will need some attention to detail, but he has the explosiveness to effect the game significantly every game. Young finished the game with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal for the Lions and shot the 3 ball well going 2/3 from deep.
Eddie Burgess Eddie Burgess 6'4" | PF Montezuma | 2022 State IA , Montezuma High School (2022)
Burgess has made his way back from injury and it has shown what kind of boost he can provide to this already explosive offense from the Braves. Burgess stands at about 6’4 and has good instincts on the court to know where to be to receive the ball. Montezuma is a talented offensive team already and getting their big man back as another option and good rebounder will only up their chances at going deep into the Class 1A tournament. He finished the game against Keota with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Big addition going forward.
Wiley Shelburne, Janesville High School (2022)
In what was a low scoring affair between two good Class 1A teams, Janesville and Dunkerton, Shelburne had the best offensive output on either team. Totaling 17 points on 7/13 shooting from the field and 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 3 blocks. The 6’4 wing plays a big part in the Wildcats’ offense being their leading scorer, and has a nice looking shooting stroke though it wasn’t particularly falling against the Raiders. When Shelburne is on, the offense is usually clicking.
Trey Lewis Trey Lewis 5'10" | PG Johnston | 2022 State IA , Johnston High School (2022)
It’s going to be hard to find a better on-ball defender in the metro than Trey Lewis Trey Lewis 5'10" | PG Johnston | 2022 State IA of Johnston. Lewis’ stat line on Saturday against the Maroons was 8 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Lewis is listed at 5’8 and pulled down big rebounds for his team in the win. As I’ve mentioned, Lewis’ on-ball defense was a bother to the Dowling guards and was a part of them never really getting into a rhythm offensively. Lewis has good 3pt shooting ability as he shot 2/4 from the perimeter on Saturday and continues to shoot it at a high clip.