Wabaunsee Invitational: Top Performers

<p>The first ever Wabaunsee Invitational allowed us to get out and see four programs in the region play a round robin style of event. We got eyes on some new prospects, stock risers, and saw continued success of some of our Prep Hoops ranked players.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Final Coverage from the Event Will Look at the Top Performers on the Day:</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1146270" first="Keller" last="Hurla"], <strong>5’11 G, St Mary’s, 2023:</strong> The elite scoring guard for the 2023 class was at it again on Saturday lighting up the nets against Perry and Jeff West including erupting for 16 points in an 8 minute span. The shot off the catch, the unlimited range, the fearlessness when he sees an opening was there but the guard also hit a couple of tough layups and contested finishes off drives over some size.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brady Hurla, 5’10 PG, St Mary’s, 2025:</strong> Showcased that he has the tools and continued progress from the spring to be the primary ball handler for the Bears this year. Read ball screens pretty well on the day and with slightly more aggression off them has the shot making ability from the perimeter to be a lethal play making point guard. High IQ point guard that looks for getting his guys shots. Hit some tough three ball off the dribble and has a solid floater game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1454195" first="Gunnar" last="Ball"],<strong> 6’3 W, Perry Lecompton, 2023 (Pictured):</strong> The big physical wing player showed off his motor and hard nosed mentality performing and logging a bunch of minutes after coming off of a big football camp on the weekend. Once Ball settled in, he made a living scoring in the paint off of offensive rebounds, rip drives to the rim, post ups over smaller guards, and getting favorable matchups in transition. Ball is poised to put up big scoring numbers on efficient scoring and is a rebounding machine from the wing. Physical, athletic, and his winning mentality make him a player to watch this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1146300" first="Eli" last="Oliver"], <strong>6’3 Guard, Wabaunsee, 2023:</strong> The Charger is a stock rising candidate this year for sure in the 2023 class with a large amount of the Charger production graduating. Oliver showcased his smooth scoring ability all day Saturday and was the primary shot creator and maker for the Chargers on the day. Got going with some transition layups, knocked down some catch and shoot threes and does not a large window to get them off, and was the best mid range shooter on the day. Really gets to his spots in the midrange off cuts and the bounce and has the length to knock them down over contests.</p>