Battle at the Lakes: Saturday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLYMOUTH, Minn. -- </strong>News and notes from day two's action at the 2023 Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NESYB FEATURES SOME SLEEPERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small school programs can potentially find some quality pickups from this NESYB team out of Madison. Senior forward Periyon Mayes (Madison East) and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1384712' first='Camron' last='Henderson'] (Madison East) were both impressive during a hard-fought loss to Minnesota Comets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayes had some big scoring spurts Saturday morning. A 6-foot-5 combo forward with a nice face-up game, Mayes was able to size his man up and rise and fire over the top. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the Comets went on a run to close within three points, Henderson stopped the bleeding with a mid-range jumper. After the Comets took a 56-53 lead with under a minute remaining, Henderson then answered with a tough step-back 3-pointer. Put the ball in his hands and good things will happen. Henderson is a high-energy, electric, and creative combo guard. He beat people off the dribble at will all morning. The lefty is a smooth, confident shooter from all areas of the floor and sees the court very well, even though he's more scoring-minded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1384712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6460decbe712e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CRUSADERS 16U SQUEAKS OUT SATURDAY MORNING WIN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wisconsin Crusaders got a big win over the Minnesota Comets Saturday morning, holding on for a 70-68 victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1289073' first='Keegan' last='Van Kauwenberg'] led the way with 21 points. The Kaukauna product got hot in the second half and ripped off a couple of 3-pointers to get his team in the driver's seat. A plus-length, 6-foot-3 wing, Van Kauwenberg was nearly automatic when that ball got tossed around the horn and ended up in his shooting pocket. Also a gifted passer from the high post and in transition, Van Kauwenberg set his teammates up on a handful of occasions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1418511' first='Drew' last='Daoust'] (Southern Door) added 19 points in the win. The sophomore guard got off to a great start with 10 early points before the Comets started to smother him defensively. The Crusaders rely on a lot of slip screens and back cuts, but when their go-to offense isn't there, it's Daoust who can go get something positive on his own. Able to hit shots with defenders draped all over him, Daoust has a unique ability to shoot off-balance and fade away from the rim for a 6-foot-1 lead guard. Daoust also had a 23-point effort later in the day in a loss to Minnesota Lightning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1289073"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6460e1622550b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CARR TURNS HEADS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sleeper to watch is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1955547' first='Nate' last='Carr'] for Wisconsin United. Tucked away at West Salem, who had a very deep and experienced group the last two seasons, Carr averaged seven points per game last season, helping the Panthers reach the Division 3 State Championship Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not currently on our radar coming in, Carr was going to work against North Dakota Attack Saturday morning. A skilled, break-you-down guard with some lethal outside shooting ability, Carr came out firing and hitting right off the bat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LOADED PLAYMAKERS 16U SQUAD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wisconsin Playmakers UA Rise 16U squad is easily one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the state. A talented and very connected group, the ball just moves effortlessly around the rim and everyone is a threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for forward [player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores'] (Cumberland) to make a big jump now that we've seen him live. There's a lot to like about this 6-foot-9 sophomore, who has a very athletic build, can shoot the 3, and finishes very strong inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Have always liked point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1244808' first='Brooks' last='Hinson'] (Marshfield). He's an intelligent competitor that just has that "it" factor. Hinson went off for 32 points in a loss to Minnesota Select Saturday morning, hitting seven 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has more than a handful of prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'] (Eau Claire Memorial), [player_tooltip player_id='1540033' first='Carter' last='Wollan'] (Amery), and Julius Clark (Eau Claire Memorial) that we'll touch on later in the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1244808"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6460e16225590"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HIGH MAJORS...IT'S TIME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not even saying it has to be a power five, but where is Conference USA, the Mountain West, or certain West Coast Conference high majors on [player_tooltip player_id='1193234' first='Will' last='Hornseth']? This guy is right in your wheelhouse. Heck, if I'm an Ivy League program, I'm drooling at the thought of potentially getting a high academic kid with this amount of skill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a lot of guys going to the power-five level that can't do what Hornseth can. Plain and simple. If he were 6-9/6-10, Hornseth would be an easy offer for a Big Ten program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You might not take much away from his performance against Real Phenom -- a team made up of guards -- if you didn't watch. Hornseth dominated early thanks to his size. Phenom then opted to double him in the post the rest of the game. Hornseth's response? 'Okay, I'll take my game to the perimeter and start crossing over guards and getting out in transition.'</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hornseth finished with 30 points on 15-of-20 shooting. In two previous games against D1 Minnesota's 17's and 16's, he was the best post prospect in both games. A skilled, mobile forward with outstanding touch and a complete back-to-the-basket game, Hornseth has it all on the block -- Soft hands, footwork, ability to score over either shoulder, feel for the double teams, and is more athletic than you think.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're a high major coach in need of a power forward, don't miss this one in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1193234"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6460e162255e0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ADAMS SAVES CHAPMAN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's not one of the headliners on this Chapman Basketball Academy 17U squad, but [player_tooltip player_id='1203206' first='T.J.' last='Adams'] had his Lonnie Walker moment on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In danger of blowing a 27-point lead, for the second time this weekend, CBA fell victim to a monster run by the opposition. Nothing was going right in the second half against ECI Prospects, who also couldn't miss and seemed to get every 50-50 ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then Adams decided history wasn't going to repeat itself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marquette guard scored all 10 of his points after ECI took the lead, including two step-back 3-pointers. That was enough to lift CBA to the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1142122' first='Michael' last='McNabb'] (Grafton) also had a solid all-around effort, scoring 22 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1142121' first='Tim' last='Franks'] (Homestead) got off to a phenomenal start to build the lead. In the first minute and a half, Franks had seven points and two rebounds. He finished with 18 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1203206"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6460e16225626"} /-->