Prep Hoops Top 250: Top 2023 Performers

The annual Prep Hoops Top 250 took place in Des Moines on Saturday afternoon. Throughout the week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best players in the gym, in a series of articles breaking down the top scorers, defenders, passers, etc. In this article, we’re taking a look at some of the top performers from the 2023 class that Tony Roe saw.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Martez-Wiggley-crop-4852x3186-1632152684.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1287160" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Martez-Wiggley-crop-4852x3186-1632152684-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>PF [player_tooltip player_id="1167721" first="Martez" last="Wiggley"] (Waterloo East) Wiggley is one of the best passing big men I’ve seen at the high school level. A big, physical 6-4 forward, he competes hard on the glass on both ends of the floor, is an effective finisher around the bucket with either hand and has some good touch on mid-range jumpers. But it’s his passing that stands out above all else. He has a great feel for the game, sees the floor incredibly well, and is one of the most creative passers in the state, regardless of class or position. The highlight pass of the day (at least that I saw from him) was a nearly 50-foot dime, threading the needle with a pretty bounce pass after pulling down a defensive rebound. The pass hit his teammate in stride for an easy layup. He also does a great job recognizing the double early and finding open shooters on the wing or cutters from the weakside. He impresses me more and more each time I see him.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Garrett-Hempen-crop-4852x3186-1632158970.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1287280" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Garrett-Hempen-crop-4852x3186-1632158970-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>PG [player_tooltip player_id="1167691" first="Garrett" last="Hempen"] (Aplington-Parkersburg) We’ve always known that Hempen can really shoot it and has a strong all-around scoring skillset. What stood out on Saturday was his ability to control the pace offensively, getting others involved, and showing his high IQ and feel for the game. He does a good job playing with pace and utilizing ball fakes to freeze the defender for that split second he needs to get by them, and he was very decisive with the ball in his hands, making all the right decisions and looking for his shot when it was there, and making the right pass when it wasn’t.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Noah-Johnson-crop-3442x2260-1632164269.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1287351" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Noah-Johnson-crop-3442x2260-1632164269-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>SF [player_tooltip player_id="1288881" first="Noah" last="Johnson"] (Linn-Mar) An athletic 6-4 wing with a great second jump, Johnson showed the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He knows his spots on the floor and figures out ways to get to them, showing a really nice mid-range game. He’s a good enough ball-handler to take bigger defenders off the dribble, and he has a smooth stroke with the ability to knock down jumpers from the arc on occasion. He uses his length well defensively, getting into passing lanes and contesting shots.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Tate-Petersen-top-250-crop-4852x3186-1632164110.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1287347" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Tate-Petersen-top-250-crop-4852x3186-1632164110-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>PG [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] (Monticello) The standout lead guard from Monticello keeps adding little pieces to his game whenever we see him. He has always been a high-level shooting threat, but he’s physically maturing and has really improved his ability to get to the bucket as a result. He’s playing faster, but still under control, and he does an excellent job of using head fakes while keeping his dribble to keep the defense off-balance.   SG [player_tooltip player_id="1167711" first="Drake" last="Kapayou"] (Marshalltown) Kapayou shot it at a high-level last season for the Bobcats, and he showed that that definitely wasn’t a fluke on Saturday. He’s a flamethrower who is nearly automatic when he has his feet set, and he moves really well off the ball, using off-ball screens to free himself to get a shot off with a quick release and extended range. He also did a nice job using his superior shooting ability to open up the rest of his offensive game, attacking aggressive closeouts with hard dribble penetration and getting into the teeth of the defense, where he showed a knack for kicking to open shooters as well as the ability to finish with either hand.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Chase-Low-crop-4852x3186-1632159306.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1287288" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Chase-Low-crop-4852x3186-1632159306-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>SF [player_tooltip player_id="1167722" first="Chase" last="Low"] (Charles City) A long and athletic wing with some versatility on both ends of the floor, the 6-4 Low does a great job utilizing his length to his advantage on the defensive end. He’s a good team defender who understands positioning on that end of the floor, and he rotates well. He can protect the rim and does a nice job contesting shots. He showed great body control and finishing ability around the rim, and he runs the floor hard in transition. He rebounds the ball well on both ends of the floor.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jack-Ode-crop-4852x3186-1632151935.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1287129" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jack-Ode-crop-4852x3186-1632151935-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>SF [player_tooltip player_id="1288919" first="Jack" last="Ode"] (Dowling Catholic) A 6-3 wing who we knew nothing about before his showing on Saturday, Ode was the first player to catch my eye during game play. He started the day off with a smooth catch-and-shoot 3 off of some nice off-ball movement, then quickly followed it up by getting to the rim for creative finishes both in transition and in the halfcourt. He has good length, competes on the glass, and has good form on his jumper, keeping his elbow nice and tight and getting good elevation on his shot. The Maroons lost a ton of production from last year’s team, and Ode looks like a quality player ready to step into major minutes.   Other top performers written about in other articles: SG [player_tooltip player_id="1167739" first="Da’Shon" last="Fisher"] (First Team All-Expo)