Outstate MN Player Watchlist: Midwest Showdown

<p>We have a big event coming up in Appleton, WI this weekend. The games will be played May 13th-15th. We have 60 teams in the 17U, 62 teams in the 16U, and 47 teams in the 15U divisions. There will be a ton of high-quality teams participating in Wisconsin. We will also have a large of amount of individual talent at this event. Read below to see who you should watch from the greater Minnesota/Outstate MN area. We are looking at players from West Central United and West Central Wildcats. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Midwest-Showdown.png"><img class="alignnone wp-image-1017991" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Midwest-Showdown-300x186.png" alt="" width="182" height="113" /></a></p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Outstate MN Player Watchlist</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962264" first="Kaden" last="Pieper"] |6’3 G| West Central Wildcats 2023</strong></p> <p>He helped lead the Jaguars to the State Championship and BBE won 28 games along the way. Kaden is a big and athletic guard. He works hard and will do whatever it takes to win. Pieper can score from all 3-levels. From deep, Pieper can knock them down off the dribble or the catch. Peiper has extended 3-point range, especially when catching-n-shooting in rhythm. Kaden is athletic off the bounce and he can finish through contact or with finesse.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1339995" first="Soren" last="Anderson"] |6’4 G/F| West Central Wildcats 2023</strong></p> <p>He helped the Yellowjackets get to the prestigious MN State Tournament and win 18 games along the way. Soren averaged 18 ppg and 5.3 rpg in school ball. Anderson is a versatile player that can do damage inside the arc and from beyond. He is a tough matchup with his size, strength, and mobility. Anderson is gifted on the offensive side of the ball and he is also a beast on the boards. On the defensive side of the ball, Anderson is a disciplined and tough player. </p> <p><strong>Dylan Bainbridge |5’10 G| West Central Wildcats 2023</strong></p> <p>He helped the Warriors go 17-9 last season and Dylan averaged 16 ppg, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Those are some impressive numbers! Wheaton-Herman-Norcross will bring everyone back next season, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Bainbridge is a true pass-first point guard that excels at setting up his teammates for easy looks.  Dylan slashes into the paint on the regular and he is very good at playing off 2 feet. </p> <p><strong>Ian Fahje |6’7 PF| West Central Wildcats 2023</strong></p> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-1wbh5a2"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-k200y r-1sw30gj r-pm2fo r-1ets6dv r-1867qdf r-deolkf r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l r-ymttw5 r-1f1sjgu r-o7ynqc r-6416eg" role="presentation"> <p class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-rjixqe r-bcqeeo r-1udh08x r-bnwqim r-fdjqy7 r-1rozpwm r-qvutc0" dir="auto" data-testid="tweetText"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">He had an outstanding season for Pelican Rapids who finished the season with a 22-6 record. Fahje is "Stretch-4" who shot 35% from beyond the arc. It is not very often a 6’7 player is the top 3-point shooter on a high school team. Ian averaged 12.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 1.6 bpg in school ball. He shoots it at an impressive rate from beyond the arc and Ian finishes around the rim with a soft touch. Fahje has a very high ceiling. He does not turn 17 until the end of July and he is just scratching the surface of his potential.  </span></p> <p dir="auto" data-testid="tweetText"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962280" first="Jack" last="Manning"] |6’6 F| West Central United</strong></p> <p dir="auto" data-testid="tweetText">He helped lead the Prowlers to the Section 8AA Semifinals and they finished the year with a quality 20-7 record. This big man is a physical player that gives full effort. He is not afraid of contact and he is a grinder. On offense, Manning is an efficient scorer around the basket, he can also stretch the floor and hit the 3-ball. Jack helps space the floor by pulling the opposing big man out of the paint. Manning is also tough on the glass, it is no big deal for Jack to rack up a double-double. </p> <p dir="auto" data-testid="tweetText"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1288685" first="Micah" last="Thompson"] |6’6 PG| West Central United 2023</strong></p> <p dir="auto" data-testid="tweetText">This stud PG helped the Yellowjackets get to the prestigious MN State Tournament and win 18 games along the way. Thompson is a very difficult matchup because of his length and size. It is rare to find a primary ballhandler with Thompson’s length. On offense, Thompson is skilled off the bounce, is a versatile finisher, and creates for others. He is also a vocal leader. Thompson is an intriguing player with his measurables, skill, and hoops IQ. </p> <p dir="auto" data-testid="tweetText"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962268" first="Sawyer" last="Kaczmarek"] |6’0 G| West Central United 2023</strong></p> </div> </div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-obd0qt r-18u37iz"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1d2f490 r-u8s1d"> <p>This star guard helped the Panthers win 20 games and make an appearance in the highly coveted MN State Tournament. Kaczmarek is a hard-nosed and tough player. This guard thrives at getting downhill and making plays for his team. Sawyer is a great finisher from various angles and he can finish with both hands at the cup. Kaczmarek has a sweet-shooting stroke and he is a high-level defender. He always seems to be in "attack mode" on both ends of the floor.  </p> <p class="css-1dbjc4n r-1adg3ll r-bztko3"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1342566" first="Gerald" last="Melin"] |6’6 F| West Central United 2023</strong></p> </div> <p>He is an intriguing player with high upside. Melin is long and very athletic. He can really get up and elevate. Gerald is a State qualifying high jumper in Track and Field. Gerald has a very easy shooting stroke with a near-unlimited shooting range. With his length and elevation, Melin does not have much trouble getting his shot off. He also finishes very well at the iron. </p> <p><strong>Ryan Kangas |6’4 F| West Central United 2024</strong></p> <p>This Patriot is an elite athlete with a wildly impressive 40" vertical. Kangas is a physical player that gets to the rim on a regular basis. Ryan shoots it with a soft touch from 15 feet and in. Kangas is a standout defender and a special rim protector. Keep track of this extra-special athlete from Win-E-Mac.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1284164" first="Justin" last="Courneya"] |5’11 G| West Central United 2024</strong></p> <p>He is a versatile offensive threat that can score from 3-levels. Courneya can really put up points in a hurry and he shoots it with a very quick trigger. Justin sees the floor very well and he has a nice feel for the game. Courneya has a knack for finding the open man and delivering timely passes. He is a creative passer with good ball skills. </p> <p><strong>Noah Brumfield |6’4 G/F| West Central United 2024</strong></p> <p>This Comet is a Swiss Army knife that can do it all. Brumfield is an all-around utility player for West Central United. Brumfield is incredibly athletic and long. He defends well, gets after it on the boards, and Noah makes winning plays. Brumfield can create his own shot and he is a sound decision-maker. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1284094" first="Caiden" last="Swenby"] |6’1 G| West Central United 2024</strong></p> <p>He helped the Falcons to a 25-5 record in high school basketball. Swenby is an impressive offensive threat that you will want to see play. Caiden shoots a high percentage from beyond the three-point arc. He can also rise up and finish above the rim. He plays longer than 6’1". Swenby is a defender that can turn defense into instant offense. </p> <p><strong>Samson Hagstrom |5’11 G| West Central United 2025</strong></p> <p>He plays the game with a very high basketball IQ. Hagstrom is a lockdown defender. Samson handles the rock extremely well, he boards up, and he blocks shots at an incredible rate for a guard. Hagstrom has a nose for the ball and he is always making plays in the middle of the action. Samson has a bright future in hoops. </p> <p><strong>Austin McCraven |5’10 G| West Central United 2025</strong></p> <p>He gives great effort and McCraven is a hard-nosed point guard. He is bigger &amp; stronger than most of the opposing guards that he goes against. Austin uses his strength and change of pace to keep defenders off balance which enables him to get into the paint. He leads West Central United in assists and McCraven rebounds at a high rate for a 5’10" guard. </p> <p><strong>Cadyn Dahl |6’1 G| West Central United 2025</strong></p> <p>He is an elite shooter for only being a freshman. So far this spring, Dahl is shooting over 50% from beyond the arc. Wow, that’s impressive! Cadyn is also a rock-solid defender and an all-around playmaker. </p> <p><strong>Henry Bethel |5’8 G| West Central United 2025</strong></p> <p>He started as a freshman this season for Fergus Falls. Opposing coaches are not looking forward to seeing Bethel for 3 more years. He is a dynamic playmaking point guard that is lightning quick. Henry is great in transition and uptempo situations. He looks to have a beautiful pull-up jumper. I was very impressed with Henry last weekend at Battle At The Lakes. Expect big things from Bethel in Wisconsin. </p> </div>