Midwest Showdown: 17 Sunday Morning Sensational Players

I caught a few very good games on Sunday morning. I saw impressive players from Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. All of the players are from the 2023 division. I saw athletic guards and forwards that showed up and showed out. Read below to see who had a high-quality Sunday morning showing.

17 SUNDAY SENSATIONAL PLAYERS

Collin Madson Collin Madson 6'4" | PG Mukwonago | 2023 State WI (2023) |6’3 G| 24:Up 2023 Elliot

He was one of the very top players that I saw on Sunday AM. Madson showed off some passing skills with a crafty wrap-around dime in the paint. Collin also did a nice job of feeding the post and his handles are smooth. I like how Collin slashed into the lane and made plays off two feet. In the second half, Madson showed an elite drive from the top of the key where he weaved and dodged at least 3 defenders on the way to a score. Madson was also a physical cutter and he posted up smaller defenders. Collin proved that he can stretch the floor with a college range 3-ball. On defense, he picked off a pass like a DB and scored an easy breakaway layup. He put up points off O-boards. Madson made it to the FT-line and he always seemed to be in the correct spot at the correct time. 

Robert Peters Robert Peters 6'8" | PF West Allis Hale | 2023 State WI (2023) |6’7 PF| 24:Up 2023 Elliot

He is a strong and physical post player. Peters is not afraid of banging on the block. I like how hard he posts up. Robert showed off his muscle with an AND1 finish. He looks to be a natural finisher around the rim. On defense, Peters plays stiff & stout post-D. He moves his feet very well and Robert contests everything within his reach. He is definitely a two-way post player. 

Mason Hammer (2023) |6’3 G| West Central Wildcats 2023

He showed that he is a very serious shooting threat. Mason knocked down five 3-pointers and finished with 15 points. I like his shooting motion, confidence, balance, and follow-through. You do not want to leave Mason alone when he is outside the 3-point arc.

Ian Fahje (2023) |6’7 PF| West Central Wildcats 2023

The big “stretch 4” finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds. I liked his footwork when picking-n-popping. Ian has an easy-effort shot. He will also pick-n-roll physically to the rim. Fahje has long arms and he runs the floor well. I like how Ian will jump-stop in the lane and not force a shot. Fahje is patient and he will react to the defense. He also spaces the floor by spotting up with his hands ready to shoot. On defense, Fahje alters shots and protects the rim. 

Clint Determan (2023) |6’1 G| West Central Wildcats 2023

He finished with 2 points and 7 rebounds. I was really impressed with how aggressive Determan was. He does not avoid contact. Clint is a nice athlete that will sky for rebounds. He elevated above opposing players to come down with the ball. He cleaned the glass on both ends of the floor. He is a hard worker and an excellent rebounder, especially for a 6’”1 guard. 

Soren Anderson Soren Anderson 6'4" | SF Perham | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’5 SF| West Central Wildcats 2023

This Yellowjacket finished the game with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Soren is a hardworking rebounder that reacts when the ball is in the air. I thought he was very good at contesting shots with a high hand. He shapes up to the ball well when picking-n-popping. Anderson showed keen awareness when scoring on a lob pass on a BLOB. He was also aggressive in the paint which allowed him to score easy points from the charity stripe. He has handles like a primary guard, Soren showed a sweet crossover and a smooth behind-the-back move. 

Kaden Pieper Kaden Pieper 6'3" | SG Belgrade Brooten Elrosa | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’3 G| West Central Wildcats 2023

The BBE kid is an impressive athlete. Pieper finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds. He looked good rebounding on both ends. I liked how Kaden moved the ball up the court to push the tempo. His mid-range jumper was fluid and smooth. Pieper showed his fast-twitch quickness when slicing to the rim for a finger roll finish. I loved how he catches on the wing, rips, and attacks closeouts. 

Kyle Olebaygi (2023) |6’6 F| Illinois Twolves 2023

He is a long, strong, and powerful athlete. Kyle had a steal that led to a big-time WHAM on the other end with a defender on him. He is explosive to the rim! In the next half, Kyle had another breakaway dunk. He also posted up hard and physical. This athletic big man can slash and score. He is a quick finisher at the cup. On defense, Kyle helped protect the rim and block shots. 

Chet Kloss Chet Kloss 6'6" | PF Eastview | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’6 F| MN Chill Elite 2023

He showed grit when mixing it up on defense. Kloss reached in and forced a jump ball. The opposing player was not impressed with that play. I like how hard Chet plays. He was attacking the basket off the bounce and getting the FT-line. Kloss did a nice job of moving the ball from inside-out to shooters. He also showed a clean jumper with very good form. He can really score the ball but Kloss is also a team player that does the little things. 

Carmello McNeal Carmello McNeal 6'1" | PG Twin Cities Academy | 2022 State MN (2022) |6’3 G| MN Chill Elite 2023

He took 2 charges! I liked how Carmello knifed through the defense and finished with a soft floater. Shortly after, McNeal showed his shooting ability with a left-wing 3-pointer. His speed and quickness are impressive. Carmello showed a nice fake-crossover. He made it to the FT-line by being aggressive off the bounce. McNeal also scored in transition with his breakaway speed. 

Carrington McNeal Carrington McNeal 6'1" | PG Twin Cities Academy | 2022 State MN (2022) |6’3 G| MN Chill Elite 2023

He first impressed me with a runner in traffic. He stuck out with impressive handles. After this PG gets a defensive rebound, he can lead the break as he is very fast up and down the court. Carrington showed a beautiful lefty finish after he blew by two defenders. McNeal was also driving and dishing to open teammates. 

Khalif Bettis Khalif Bettis 6'6" | SF Burnsville | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’5 SF| MN Chill Elite 2023

This intriguing player can score both in & out and Bettis is very athletic. He showed his versatility with a corner 3-ball. Khalif also has a sweet mid-range game. I like how he pushed the tempo, drew contact, and got to the line. He showed a crafty shot fake that made the defender fly by him. Bettis showed off his leaping ability with a 1-handed hammer in transition. 

  Jack Rosendahl Jack Rosendahl 6'2" | CG Thief River Falls | 2023 MN (2023) |6’2 SG| West Central United 2023

He was impressive in the open court with his hustle and speed. Jack had a very nice run-out in transition where he received the deep outlet, and attacked the rim, but was cut off by a defender. Rosendahl immediately spun the opposite way and finished with a defender directly in his grill. It was an impressive sequence. He had another nice transition score where Jack simply out-ran the defense. This kid can fly down the court.  

Colton Hagen Colton Hagen 6'4" | PG Moorhead | 2023 MN (2023) |6’4 SG| West Central United 2023

He had some flashy athletic plays this morning. Hagen had a very athletic drive where he jumped stopped with defenders all around him and finished strongly off 2 feet. A bit later in the game, Colton slashed into the middle of the lane, jump stopped, and pulled up over the defense for a short jumper. He also showed a great curl-cut when coming off a screen, you do not see cuts like that very often anymore. I like this kids potential. 

Gerald Melin Gerald Melin 6'6" | PF Red Lake County | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’6 F| West Central United 2023

I liked the looks of this long athlete. There is no wonder why he is a star in Track and Field. Melin showed great footwork and skills on a post-up. He started with a reverse pivot on a Sikma-move. From there, Melin jabbed stepped, and spun to the basket for a nice score. His long arms allow Gerald to finish high and away from the defense. I was impressed with his feet. On defense, Melin contested and altered many shots. 

Micah Thompson Micah Thompson 6'6" | SF Perham | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’6 G| West Central United 2023

In the first half, Thompson cut through the lane like a missile and scored with a lefty scoop shot. Thompson is also a great slasher. He had a timely baseline drive and score when his team needed a bucket. Micah also drove and dished assists to teammates. He stood out as a physical defender that does not give an inch. He has a long wingspan which makes everything easier for him as an already lanky 6’6″ guard. 

Jack Manning Jack Manning 6'5" | C Thief River Falls | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’6 PF| West Central United 2023

He is a physical defender in the post. Manning “walls up” at the rim without fouling, this makes the defender shoot over him instead of fouling and bailing the opposing player out. Jack is strong in the paint on both ends and he does not back down from bigger players. He showed off his passing skills with a long 3/4 court outlet pass. Jack can also slash with skilled dribble moves. He showed a very nice fake spin-move and a fade-away turnaround jumper. Manning can also stretch the floor and hit 3’s.