Player Evals: Prairie's Bench Shines in Win over Senior

CEDAR RAPIDS -- A 15-1 run in the second quarter decided the game on Tuesday night, as Prairie used that big run to take a 10-point halftime lead and then cruise in the second half en route to a 67-54 win over Dubuque Senior. A back-and-forth game throughout the first quarter, Senior was able to grab a 21-17 lead about midway through the second quarter before the Hawks flurry to close out the first 16 minutes. The Rams were able to trim the deficit down to 6 points midway through the third quarter, but Prairie quickly responded and pushed it back to double digits, where it stayed for the rest of the evening. Prairie (14-6) was led by [player_tooltip player_id="1240079" first="Makelle" last="Taylor"], who had a game-high 20 points off the bench. [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"] had 16, Gabe Burkel 12, and [player_tooltip player_id="1240063" first="Jack" last="Wagemester"] finished with 11 points in the win. Senior (10-10) was led by [player_tooltip player_id="962639" first="Walker" last="Tart"], who was the only Ram to finish in double-figures with 11 points. [player_tooltip player_id="1381411" first="Jalen" last="Johnson"], Jonathan Wille, and [player_tooltip player_id="1381404" first="Josh" last="Brauer"] each chipped in 8 points. The Rams were just 8-23 from the free-throw line in the loss.   <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 63px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Team</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">1Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">3Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">4Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">F</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Senior</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">11</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">11</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">17</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">15</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">54</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">Prairie</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">13</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">19</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">17</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">18</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">67</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   Senior: [player_tooltip player_id="962639" first="Walker" last="Tart"] 11, [player_tooltip player_id="1381411" first="Jalen" last="Johnson"] 8, Jonathan Wille 8, [player_tooltip player_id="1381404" first="Josh" last="Brauer"] 8, [player_tooltip player_id="962632" first="Sam" last="Akins"] 5, [player_tooltip player_id="1367411" first="Devonta" last="Jackson"] 5, Tommy Williams 4, Wesley Schmitt 3, [player_tooltip player_id="1376678" first="Jacob" last="Williams"] 2 Prairie: [player_tooltip player_id="1240079" first="Makelle" last="Taylor"] 20, [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"] 16, [player_tooltip player_id="682264" first="Gabe" last="Burkle"] 12, [player_tooltip player_id="1240063" first="Jack" last="Wagemester"] 11, [player_tooltip player_id="1376680" first="Reid" last="Burkle"] 6, Everett Koch 2   2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240079" first="Makelle" last="Taylor"] (Prairie) The 6-0 lefty provided a major spark off the bench, scoring a game-high 20 points on 5-6 shooting (1-1 2P, 4-5 3P, 6-7 FT), by far his most productive scoring game of the year. He's a stout, physical and quick guard who can finish through contact around the rim, and he showed a quick release on his shot off the catch. He knocked down a pair of 3-pointers within his first few minutes off the bench and that seemed to really get him going on both ends of the floor. He's a standout running back on the football field, and it's easy to see why, as he's quick and physical, with an explosive first step that he uses to blow by defenders. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"] (Prairie) Walter is an athletic 5-11 guard with a good feel for the game and the ability to score from all three levels. He went 2-5 from behind the arc and used his ability to stretch the floor to open up the rest of his game, getting to the rim for finishes routinely in the second half en route to 16 points on 7-10 shooting. He also had 5 assists and 2 steals. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682264" first="Gabe" last="Burkle"] (Prairie) It's easy to see why Burkle is headed to Iowa State as a tight end when you watch him play basketball. He has excellent hands and is a nimble but powerful big man who can finish around the rim effectively and rebound at a high level. He showed that he can step out and knock down a 15-footer, but he's at his best when he's dominating the painted area. He had 12 points and 6 rebounds. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1376680" first="Reid" last="Burkle"] (Prairie) The younger Burkle joined Taylor in coming off the bench to make a major impact, finishing with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and a block in the Hawks' win. He's a 6-4/6-5 combo forward who pounds the glass and is a long, athletic, physical, and switchable defender. He finishes well around the rim with either hand, absorbing contact and powering through it for finishes. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/43-Jack-Wagemester.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290430" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/43-Jack-Wagemester-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240063" first="Jack" last="Wagemester"] (Prairie) The son of former Kirkwood coach Doug Wagemester, Jack is a high IQ lead guard who can score from all three levels, facilitate, and he positions himself well on the defensive end. He has good length and moves his feet well when defending on the ball, and he knows where to be when he's defending off the ball, sliding in to help when needed. He had an off shooting night, going just 2-9 from the floor, but made up for it by knocking down all 6 of his free throws and finishing with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="1381411" first="Jalen" last="Johnson"] (Senior) A hyper-athletic 6-2 wing, Johnson is oozing with potential with his incredible blend of size, length, big frame, and eye-popping athleticism. He moves his feet really well on the defensive end, and is a quick-twitch athlete who can blow by defenders and get to the rim for finishes. He'll need to add range to his game as he progresses, but his athletic ability is no joke, and he likes to play downhill and get to the rim, where he's a good finisher. He also has a good feel for the game and sees the court well, dropping a pair of pretty assists to cutting teammates while showing impressive court vision and instincts. He had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists in the loss. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="1381404" first="Josh" last="Brauer"] (Senior) Brauer is an intriguing young prospect with length at 6-3 who moves well laterally and can impact the game with his length on the defensive end of the floor. A majority of his damage on the offensive end is done by getting to the rim, either with his own dribble or with strong off-ball movements. He's a solid finisher around the rim and he does a good job crashing the offensive glass. He had 8 points on 3-4 shooting with a pair of offensive rebounds off the bench. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1367411" first="Devonta" last="Jackson"] (Senior) A 6-4 forward with springs in his legs, Jackson is a fantastic athlete with a ridiculously fast second jump that he uses to outrebound opponents, skying over them and snatching rebounds seemingly out of nowhere. His game is still a work in progress, but he showed the ability to step out and knock down a 3-pointer with pretty smooth form, and if he can continue to iron out his skill set, he'll be a really intriguing prospect for lower-level schools in the state. He's a remarkable athlete with length who can switch defensively. He had 5 points and 5 rebounds. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="962639" first="Walker" last="Tart"] (Senior) Tart had a solid game for the Rams, finishing with 11 points on 4-5 shooting. He has excellent body control around the rim and can finish with either hand effectively. He's a bigger, physical guard who can absorb contact and finish through it, and he's a pretty good athlete who moves his feet well on the defensive end of the floor.