Davies Tournament – 2027 Impressive Players
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Fargo, ND – Davies High School was hosting a youth basketball tournament today. I was able to swing by and catch some of the 8th-grade action. That puts these players in the Class of 2027. There were only 4 teams…
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Continue ReadingFargo, ND – Davies High School was hosting a youth basketball tournament today. I was able to swing by and catch some of the 8th-grade action. That puts these players in the Class of 2027. There were only 4 teams in the 8th-grade division for this tournament. Moorhead Spuds, Casselton Chaos, Horace Flight, and the WF Bulls. Eight players stuck out to me when I was watching. See below for eight impressive eighth graders from Saturday morning at Davies.
**Horace Flight went 3-0 and won the Davies Tournament.
Impressive 2027’s
Easton Holland Easton Holland 6'3" | SF Central Cass | 2027 State ND |6’0 SF| Casselton Chaos
This lefty looks to be the real deal! I like his length and energy. Holland plays FEARLESS! No matter the score, Easton was always in “attack mode”. I like how he drove into the paint, jump-stopped, and finished amongst the Flight defenders. In the second half, Easton was slicing through the Horace zone like a hot knife through butter. He is relentless when going downhill. Holland had a very nice baseline drive where he finished with his right hand on a reverse layup. Easton can also shoot it. He looked like a young Cole Holzer when picking-n-popping. Easton also hit a stepback triple. He got to the line as well. All this led to a highly productive game for the young lefty for CC!
Brody Kegley Brody Kegley 5'9" | PG Central Cass | 2027 State ND |5’8 CG| Casselton Chaos
Coach Norman has to be excited about this young combo guard! Brody is a gifted passer that carved up the D at times. The youthful Squirrel delivered passes into tight windows. He looked like a smart young guard and I liked his demeanor. Brody looked good in the screen-n-roll game when manipulating the D and finding an open shooter after the screen. Kegley showed excellent body control with a circus finish in traffic. He proved to be a shooter as well when hitting a triple. I like his shot. Brody also showed hustle when blocking a 3-pointer and when sprinting in transition. He has good overall skill, is a coach’s kid, plays under control, and seems to do the little things. Kegley looks to be an up-and-comer that you should keep your eyes on!
Lucas Christiansen Lucas Christiansen 6'2" | PF Central Cass | 2027 State ND |6’1 PF| Casselton Chaos
He is a long-armed, aggressive, and very active player. Christiansen was constantly putting pressure on the defense via the bounce. Lucas is a physical kid that is not afraid of contact. That kind of attitude got him to the line for easy shots. Lucas gathered multiple offensive rebounds and he scored on a putback. I loved how he high-pointed the ball for rebounds. He looked good pushing the ball in transition. CC has to be excited about Christiansen’s game!
Tanner Kratcha |6’2 C| WF Bulls
He stuck out right away because of his height and long wingspan. I thought the youngster moved fairly well for his height. Kratcha was generous about passing out of the post. He would catch the pass and if he didn’t have a shot right away, Tanner kicked it to a teammate for an inside-out 3-pointer. His teammates also cut off the post and Kratcha found them for good looks. Everyone loves a young post that shares the ball! He showed quick hands when picking the pocket of a dribbler in the open court. Tanner looked good when finishing through contact. He can also stretch the floor and cash in the triples. Kratcha has a great feel for the game. Can you say, high ceiling?
Blake Erik Engstrom Blake Erik Engstrom 6'1" | SF Horace | 2027 State ND |5’11 SF| Horace Flight
He played really well in the second half and helped Flight pick up the win over CC. Engstrom hit a fluid 3-pointer and he looked like a quick leaper when scoring around the rim. I liked his finishing ability and he seems like a legit all-around athlete.
Brett Livingston Brett Livingston 6'5" | PF Horace | 2027 State ND |6’0 PF| Horace Flight
He started the game off on a high note when he won the tip-off. Livingston looked good contesting shots with his long arms. Brett impressed me with his floater game. I loved how he attacked the basket and scored with a soft floater before he got to the D in front of the rim. He also showed a smooth floater from the baseline. I like his talent level and potential.
Ryder Majkrzak Ryder Majkrzak 5'11" | PG Horace | 2027 State ND |5’6 PG| Horace Flight
He is a shooter, no question about it! He may have gotten some of that from his father. Ryder has shooters feet, he is always ready to shoot and he gets them set in a timely manner. His form and mechanics were also noteworthy. Majkrzak also showed a sweet follow-through release. I wrote down that he is a “Money Shooter”, that is what came to my mind when I watched Majkrzak. He also scored with a crafty floater and from the FT-line. Ryder can handle the rock and deliver dimes. He threaded the needle many times. I liked his court awareness when his defender didn’t jump to the pass, Ryder quickly executed a basket cut for a good look. Lastly, this kid is a thief and a pickpocket on D. Keep your eyes on this youngster, he got game!
Owen Terras Owen Terras 6'2" | SF Horace | 2027 State ND |5’11 SF| Horace Flight
He showed impressive timing and anticipation by blocking multiple shots and picking off passes. He showed off those same attributes when rebounding, this kid seems to have a nose for the ball. Terras was like a vacuum cleaning up rocks in the lane. He showed off his skill with buckets from every level. In the second half, I liked how Owen sealed his defender and then scored with a shifty move and good body control. He also cashed in from beyond the arc, this young Hawk is a tough matchup with his length and ability to do-it-all. What really impressed me was his eyes and court vision. Terras had many nice dimes. He looks a bit like a lanky forward but he passes like a fluid PG. I liked his unselfishness. Many times, Owen could have taken a shot in the paint, instead, he found a teammate for an even better look. Terras was efficient and he shot a high percentage. Good things to come from this Horace hoopster!