The Dakotas 250 Expo is in the books. There was a ton of talent at the Avera Sports Center on Saturday. In this article, we are checking out the All-Expo Team! 1st Team All-Expo Damon Opdahl 16 State 7 Pos…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inThe Dakotas 250 Expo is in the books. There was a ton of talent at the Avera Sports Center on Saturday. In this article, we are checking out the All-Expo Team!
1st Team All-Expo
Wow, I knew he was good but Opdahl was amazing on Saturday. He was the best guard in the gym! Damon was a DUDE on defense with impressive lateral quickness, pesky hands, and ubiquitous NRG. Damon stroked it from deep, he drilled many triples. His pull-up was very effective from extended depths and from mid-range. He elevates well and he can stop on a dime. Damon is SUPER-skilled, he has great vision, and he made good decisions. His intensity level was at a different level, and you could tell that is a very competitive. Opdahl was a master tactician that directed traffic and he was a coach on the floor. He controlled the tempo. It was easy to see that Damon is a leader. He is going to have a MONSTER senior year. Class A, look out!
He was a man amongst boys! Wow, he was dominant around the basket. “Tish” was a beast on the glass, especially for O-boards. He read the ball of the rim and anticipates the ball perfectly. Tish played physically and his strength was on full display. Defenders around the rim did little to nothing when trying to stop the DV BIG. Wingert players hard/intense and it is easy to see that he has a passion for the game. I really liked the looks of his spin move and his footwork was fantastic around the rim with many quality moves. He killed it around the rim but Wingert also showed a soft shooting touch with his jumper. Tish is going to have a massive season!
The youngster from Century was sensational! Kempel had a great AAU season and he played at the same level at the EXPO. Drew is only a sophomore, but you certainly could not tell that just by looks. He is very strong, well-built together, physical, and powerful. It is rare to talk like that about a 10th-grader! Drew was slicing, slashing, and blowing by the defense all morning. His strength was really on display when driving past as defender, a bump never got him off track, he powered through it. Kempel did his fair share of scoring and he also created for others. Kempel is going to be an X-factor this season for Century. Once he gets his chance on varsity, it will be hard to take him off the floor.
This was my first time watching him live and he was beyond impressive. All of the coaches I talked to also raved about Goff! The jr. guard is a magician with the basketball. He was excellent in transition and up-tempo. Goff scored many points when going fast but he also dished assists, dropped dimes in traffic, and delivered no-look passes. Goff is a crafty finisher, he displayed fancy footwork. I liked the looks of his inside-hand finishes. He was also knocking down mid-range J’s and cashing in 3-balls. Roosevelt lost heavy loads of talent to graduation, Goff should step right in and have the reins to the offense. Expect Hayden to have a breakout season!
He was an All-State player last season and Hamilton certainly looked like it on Saturday. James not only impressed me but the coaching staff was also high on him. Hamilton scored many buckets throughout the morning. I really like how he catches ready to attack and he always seems to get by his initial defender. James is not just good at beating the close-out D, he has many moves that he uses to beat the help defense as well. Hamilton is explosive to the rim from every angle. His mid to short-range jumper is also very good. I like his soft shot and confidence. Hamilton is a magnet to the ball when rebounding. James is looking like he will be a top player in ND once again this year.
2nd Team All-Expo
-Shot it very hot from 3pt land, attacked/scored at the cup, mid-range J was consistent/accurate, stood out as a defender.
-The best that I have seen him score the rock, every time I looked he was smoking a 3-ball, also scored well inside the arc.
-His size, length & athleticism were beyond impressive, flexibility/versatility on both ends is scary, highlight playmaker.
-So so long and his arms never end! Very bouncy to the rim & scores w/ no effort. Glides past D, many dunks & flushes.
-Team-first player, he even passed up good shots to dish to others, thief on D, a silky smooth PG, plays calm & smart.
3rd Team All-Expo
-Scored boatloads of points in the paint, was a top rebounder, showed a nice J, didn’t force but still had a big impact.
-Made plays as a rim-protector, shot blocker & stout defender, showed strength w/ AND1 finishes, athletic & long.
-Was great attacking off the catch, covers a ton of ground with the bounce, physical finisher, has a legit outside jumper.
-SHOOTER!! The young Bruns was cashing them in from behind the arc, showed great stroke, confidence, timing & touch.
-Absolute bucket! Put up points in/out. More athletic than I thought. Tough matchup w/ length, shooting & slashing.
Honorable Mention All-Expo Team
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