GameChangers: #The Stage

At the conclusion of each tournament, a new recurring article will be the ’GameChangers’ series – sponsored by GameChanger. 

GameChanger brings you the best scorekeeping, live video streaming, and team management services of any mobile app on the market. This is a product every grassroots team in the country can use to better serve their players and their families.

How do you get into the GameChanger article? By being a difference-maker for your team, being unselfish, diving on the floor, playing hard all game, boarding up, getting D-stops, being a glue guy, scoring timely buckets, and many others. 

17U GameChangers – The Stage

Adam Tauer Adam Tauer 6'3" | SG Andover Central | 2023 State MN |6-3 G| Minnesota Heat MacDonald

He was a catalyst on defense by causing turnovers, getting his hands in passing lanes, diving on the floor for loose balls, and grabbing rebounds that he was way out of position for. Tauer is a tireless worker and a hustler. He was also great on help-side defense, every team needs more of this! On offense, Adam scored off-ball by making great reads and playing off of his teammates. He had some clutch buckets when his team needed them. Tauer is the son of a college coach, so the game comes naturally to him and he is a smart player. 

Jackson Ressler Jackson Ressler 6'4" | PG Lakeville South | 2023 State MN |6-4 G| Northstar Titans Stone

This lead guard is the ultimate teammate. Ressler will do everything that his coaches ask and he does all the little things that are needed to make a team successful. He plays extremely hard, and Jackson never lets up. Ressler will sacrifice his body by diving onto the floor. He is a tough kid as well. I saw him get hammered on a foul on Saturday morning, Jackson fought through it and kept pushing. He also drove through the night on Friday, so he could get to the early morning game and help his teammates. Talk about a love for the game!

Wes Johnson Wes Johnson 6'0" | SG St. Francis | 2023 MN |6-0 G| Northstar Titans Terhaar

He is a hardworking and special player. Johnson is the type of athlete that could earn a football scholarship after a quality senior season. He is a downhill guard that is aggressive. Wes is 100% selfless and he never forces a thing. He scores about a basket a game, but he sets up his teammates for 5-6 great ones every game. Johnson plays tremendous and disciplined defense. Wes is always willing to put his body on the line for his teammates. 

Elias Batala Elias Batala 6'1" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN |6-0 G| Minnesota Chill Elite

He had a very nice showing at The Stage. Batala was a spark of energy off the bench for MN Chill. He brought instant offense and toughness all weekend. Elias hit timely three-point shots in transition when Chill really needed them. He also made big plays by getting in passing lanes and creating TO’s. Batala was diving on the floor for loose balls and he gave maximum effort. He did many of the little things that do not show up on the stat sheet. 

Jaxon Kellogg Jaxon Kellogg 6'3" | PG Bismarck | 2023 State ND |6-3 PG| North Dakota Phenom

On Saturday, I witnessed Kellogg diving on the floor and hustling all over the court for 50/50 balls. It’s great to see him diving on the floor, but what stood out is that Jaxon is always the first on the floor, he has very quick reactions. Jaxon was a primary ball-handler for Phenom. He is an unselfish player that knows how to get the rock into the hot hand. He is also a formidable rebounder for a PG.

William Ware William Ware 6'7" | SF Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND |6-7 F| North Dakota Phenom

He was a very active defender that is constantly moving. Ware does not take plays off. He is long and athletic, this enables him to matchup with gurds, wings, and interior players. He was a Swiss Army knife last weekend for Phenom. Ware stood out by contesting shots at a very high rate. I thought his lateral mobility on the perimeter was impressive. He looked good defending the pick-n-roll. His versatilty and unselfishness were huge assets for Phenom. 

Garrison Phelps Garrison Phelps 6'6" | SG Saint Marys Catholic | 2022 State AZ |6-6 F| Arizona Select US

He stood out to me on Friday night as a long playmaking athlete. Garrison was always around the basketball on defense, for 50/50 balls, and rebounds. Phelps also stood out as a rim protector and a shot blocker. I liked his NRG and enthusiasm. He also looked good at attacking the basket and finishing through contact. 

Javion Bostic Javion Bostic 6'2" | SG Winton Woods | 2023 State OH |6-0 G| Cincy Fire Elite

This full-tilt athlete stood out on late Friday night. Bostin played with passion and determination. He made many timely hustle plays. Javion looks to be a smooth ballhandler. He was constantly probing the defense and looking to set up teammates. Bostic had multiple athletic and off-balance finishes at the cup. I also really liked how hard he ran the floor. 

Bryce Tillery |5-9 G| Iowa Barnstormers Gold

He is a flat-out defensive specialist that shined this weekend. There is only one basketball and only so many shots to go around, every team needs a selfless player like Tillery. Bryce guarded the opposing team’s point guards full court and he put non-stop pressure on them. He created a high amount of steals. Tillery is also a great assist man.

Lucas Weiner Lucas Weiner 6'8" | PF Clinton | 2023 State IA |6-8 F| Iowa Barnstormers Black 

This long and lanky player was all over the court on the defensive side of the ball. He was a difference-maker on the D-side of the ball. It was impressive how hard he sprinted the floor on both ends. He is a tireless worker that gave maximum effort at The Stage. 

16U GameChangers – The Stage

Nathan Deprez Nathan Deprez 6'3" | SG Kaukauna | 2024 State WI |6-1 G| Wisconsin Blaze National Moede

This backcourt player did a bit of everything for his team this past weekend in Indy. Deprez will do whatever it takes to help his team. He is a hard-nosed competitor that wants to win, no matter the cost. Nathan is an all-out out defender, it does not matter what position he is tasked with guarding. Deprez is an elite communicator and a leader on the court. Every team needs more players like this kid. 

Devin Smith Devin Smith 5'10" | CG Arlington Christian | 2024 GA (2024) |5-10 G| Excel Basketball 2024

He is a strong guard and very athletic. Smith did a nice job of taking care of the ball and stirring the drink on the offensive end of the floor. Devin is aggressive off the bounce. He scored plenty of points but he also set the table for his teammates. Smith was dropping dimes on Sunday. He also stood out with a fantastic spin-move. 

Kavon Phillips Kavon Phillips 6'7" | SF North Scott | 2024 State IA (2024) |6-4 F| Iowa Barnstormers Gold

He did a little bit of everything for the Barnstormers. Phillips is a skilled kid that plays hard. He is a great communicator on defense. Being a great communicator is a highly underrated quality to have. Phillips is also a winner, his Barnstormer Gold team went 4-0 in Indy.

J’Quari Willis |6-4 F| Iowa Barnstormers Black

He is a long-player with good size. Willis is a high-energy player that will do whatever it takes to make an impact on the game. He will do whatever it takes to make a play for his team. J’Quari was also all over the glass grabbing rebounds. 

15U GameChangers – The Stage

Josh Brauer Josh Brauer 6'4" | SF Dubuque Senior | 2025 State IA |6-3 F| Iowa Barnstormers Gold

He was a productive player in Indy. Josh put in a ton of positive work on both sides of the ball for the Barnstormers. Brauer is a great teammate who is generous with the basketball. He will create for others and cut to create openings. He is a two-way player that cares about making the correct play for the Barnstormers. 

Ben Johnson |6-5 C| Iowa Barnstormers Black

Like many of the Barnstormer players, John gave the utmost effort on the court. He is a high-level effort player. When you play that hard all the time, good things happen for you. He was also in the right place at the right time very often. Johnson has a good head on his shoulders that allows him to make the correct play at the opportune time.