Comets Shootout: 16U Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More names that caught our eye at the 2023 Comets Shootout. Here is another handful of names!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1575328' first='Ezekial' last='Austin'] of Minnesota Comets (6'2 PG of Albany). You can throw out a lot of different descriptive words for Austin that work but I think the reason he is so productive is because he's tougher and more confident than the next guy. In an event where just about everything had balance, and few players truly took a step forward Austin joined [player_tooltip player_id='1575345' first='Tray' last='Lenzen'] as players who really stood out amongst the rest as difference makers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1385264' first='Isaiah' last='Mahal'] of Minnesota Fury (6'3 guard of Northfield). Mahal is a player that surely caught my eye. He won his wing match-up in both games I watched and I felt that he was a key option every time he was on the court. Scored 9.4 a game this past year as a sophomore and I think he could make a big jump after seeing how confidently he beat guys with his first move and how well he finished. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1437303' first='Brogan' last='Madson'] of Minnesota Select (5'11 PG of Mankato East). Pound for pound [player_tooltip player_id='1437303' first='Brogan' last='Madson'] is better than just about anybody in high school basketball. That's how he became a player that earned all state, all league while leading his team to a conference title and a state tournament bid. He beats quicker players with a smarter move, he beats bigger players with patience, and Madson gets his team wins by efficiently scoring while also running an offense that teammates enjoy being apart of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1574218' first='Duke' last='Richardson'] of Minnesota Select (6'2 guard of MInnetonka). Duke is so so close to being a high level player. With more experience, a bit more tightening up of when to attack and when to shoot versus be patient, and a few more months with his coaches in high school and spring/summer, I think he has the chance to get there. He's your combo guard that can run a team but also score. He's got separation as well as catch and shoot ability. And he's one of the tougher players to guard in individual spots. As he gains that knowledge of when, I think he can be very similar to an [player_tooltip player_id='1189958' first='Isaiah' last='Hagen'] type player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucas Wherley of Minnesota Fury (6'5 forward of Shakopee). When it comes to guys that hit key shots, made big momentum plays, Wherley was the name that popped out to me the most this weekend. I like Wherley's potential because he is skilled, has size, and moves well. He was a tough match-up for the other forwards especially at key times in the game. He's a player I think could make a big jump. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->