Prep Hoops BatL: Saturday Morning 16U Standouts at Maple Grove
PF Joe Briesemeister Joe Briesemeister 6'6" | PF Mount Vernon | 2025 State IA | Iowa Prep Black | Mount Vernon, IA A strong, physical 6-4 forward who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, Briesemeister had an…
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Continue ReadingPF Joe Briesemeister Joe Briesemeister 6'6" | PF Mount Vernon | 2025 State IA | Iowa Prep Black | Mount Vernon, IA
A strong, physical 6-4 forward who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, Briesemeister had an excellent game against Minnesota Heat, finishing with 18 points. He showed the ability to step out and stretch the floor with a smooth stroke off the catch. He does a great job staying vertical on defense and contesting shots without fouling, taking advantage of his size. He showed a little bit of ball-handling, bringing the ball up the floor on occasion and finding open shooters. He’s a good rebounder and a mobile big who can do a little bit of everything.
SG Trey Petersen | Minnesota Heat Remus | Eden Prairie, MN
Petersen got off to an excellent start for the Heat, scoring 15 first-half points in their loss to Iowa Prep. A bouncy 6-3 wing, he shoots it well off the catch and moves well without the ball in his hands. He’s a long, active defender who gets into passing lanes and turns defense into quick, easy offense, and he has really good body control around the rim.
PG Brandon Mathern | Iowa Prep Black | Gladbrook-Reinbeck, IA
Mathern caught fire in the second half of Prep’s game against the Heat, scoring 11 second-half points. In all, he finished with 14, including four 3s. He’s a confident shooter with a pure stroke off the catch, but what really impressed me was his demeanor and calmness as a ball-handler against pressure. Whenever the Heat guards tried to get up into Mathern, he didn’t panic, just calmly used his frame to get into the defender and his off-ball arm to help shield the ball. He’s a confident ball-handler and shotmaker.
PG Zach Orr | Wisconsin Playmakers Eau Claire | Rice Lake, WI
In a high-level game against a good Minnesota Comets team, Orr (pictured) was the best player on the floor. A skilled 5-11 point guard with excellent handles, he’s able to get to the rim seemingly at will with his handles, change of pace, change of direction, and strength. When he gets his defender on his hip, he’s nearly impossible to slow down, as he’s able to hold them off and get all the way to the bucket, where he’s a strong finisher with either hand as well as a talented passer who sees the floor extremely well. He’s a pure shooter both off the dribble and the catch with unlimited range, knocking down a number of shots from 3-4 feet beyond the high school line. He uses ball screens well, turning the corner tight and finding the role man or getting all the way to the bucket. He’s a really good post-entry passer, a lost art in today’s game.
SF Tyler Lessard Tyler Lessard 6'4" | SF Hudson | 2025 State WI | Wisconsin Playmakers Eau Claire | Hudson, WI
Lessard had a dominant first half against the Comets, showing his ability to score from all three levels at a high clip. A 6-4 wing with a good frame to continue adding strength to, he’s a pure shooter off the catch who moves well without the ball in his hands. After the defense started to close out hard on his shooting, he utilized a quick ball fake to get the defender off balance and blow by him to get to the rim.
SG Syclair Byus | Wisconsin Playmakers Eau Claire | Luther, WI
An athletic, 6-3 wing who can defend multiple positions, Byus impressed on the defensive end with his bounce, length, and IQ. He rotates well and is a good all-around team defender who gets himself into the right spots, contests shots, and gets into passing lanes. He has good body control around the rim and is a strong finisher.