Top Standouts From the Week: Part II

<p>Breaking down the top individual performances from the second half of the week...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="804910" first="Nate" last="Abel"] - 2021 - G - Beaver Dam</p> <p>Abel had a game-high 22 points in a loss to La Crosse Central on Friday. The Michigan Tech commit continues to improve as a scorer and has worked his way up the rankings over the last two years.  The  6-foot-1 guard loves the step-back jumper and does a terrific job of setting up defenders, going hard to the rim, putting his shoulder down, and creating space without pushing off. A prospect that moves very well without the basketball, Abel will often work both sides of the ball multiple times before taking a shot.  Also quite skilled on the ball, Abel has plenty of point guard DNA, able to survey the floor and set his teammates up as well.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="990740" first="Devon" last="Fielding"] - 2022 - PG - La Crosse Central</p> <p> Was very impressed by Fielding’s poise and ability to elevate his play in the second half during Friday’s win at Beaver Dam. The Red Raiders were down 10 at the break and Fielding helped get his team going with a couple of steals and calmly knocking down a pair of 3-pointers.  Finishing with a team-high 17 points, Fielding was patient all night against a quality defense. He’s not a guy that takes a ton of dribbles or forces things offensively.  More of a role player the last two years, Fielding has stepped to the forefront for a younger Central team and will continue to make more noise over the next two seasons.</p> <p><strong>Jalen Murphy - 2021 - G - Oak Creek</strong></p> <p>Murphy may be able to sneak his way into the 2021 rankings after Thursday's performance. SJNA took Oak Creek's top two scorers out of the game. It was Murphy that ignited a big second half run to get the Knights within a score after trailing by double digits. Murphy just changed the game by scoring on a number of broken plays -- collecting long rebounds, picking up loose balls, etc. Murphy is an athletic guard who can shoot the rock and slash to the bucket. Even when Oak Creek was fading at various points throughout the game, Murphy's energy and effort never wavered. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="804898" first="Brandin" last="Podziemski"] - 2021 - SG - SJNMA</p> <p>I don’t know if people in the state fully grasp how hard Podziemski has to work to get a bucket these days. Between the double teams -- on and off the ball -- the traps, face-guarding, and the fact he doesn’t come out of the game, Podziemski’s numbers this season are beyond incredible. The scoring gets the headlines, but Podziemski somehow still has tons of energy on the defensive end and has turned himself into a nice all-around player as he’s no longer just a scorer. In Thursday’s win over Oak Creek, Podziemski racked up 32 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and three steals.  Podziemski  has extremely good and savvy down the stretch as well. After Oak Creek cut the lead to three, Podziemski had a 7-0  run of his own. With SJNA in the bonus, Podziemski drew foul after foul to salt the game away at the line.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="879998" first="Brennan" last="Timm"] - 2021 - F - SJNMA</p> <p>If I’m a Division 3 right now, I’m  licking my chops at the chance to get this kid in my program. Sure, Timm is undersized (6-4) and pretty  and has an unorthodox skillset for his position,  but Timm just brings it every night out. There’s not a role too big or too small for Timm. You need him to score 20? He’ll show up. You need him to guard the other team’s best player? He’s there.  15 rebounds? Timm can do it. Against Oak Creek, Timm was assigned to Sinani and he did a marvelous job.  When defending Sinani, Timm gave up just two buckets. You saw his impact even greater after Timm picked up his fourth foul and had to come off Sinani, who then got himself going in the last few minutes, giving Oak Creek a chance to steal that game. Timm finished with 12 points and nine rebounds in the win. Not sure what type of prospect Timm will be at the next level, but there’s   he’s a guy any coach would love to have on the roster.</p>