Burish's Last Dance Saturday Stars

The lights at Romeoville Athletic Center on Saturday shined down brightly on many prospects. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their respective last dance's in front of college scouts and coaches, and our very own Prep Hoops Scouts. I was there in the middle of the hardwood keeping an eye on numerous courts. Check out my stars from Saturday in Burish's Last Dance Saturday Stars!   [player_tooltip player_id='1289115' first='Sam' last='Pfefferle'] 2024 6'1" PG / Xavier (WI) / All Wisconsin Donaldson Platinum   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/sam_pfefferle-crop-2273x1492-1688868865.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/sam_pfefferle-crop-2273x1492-1688868865.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2060113" width="268" height="176" /></a></figure>   A fantastic second game on Saturday morning for Pfefferle against Illinois Valley Warriors 17U. At halftime, Pfefferle totaled 22 points in my book, which was the total amount scored by Illinois Valley Warriors. The all-around lead guard for All Wisconsin scored at all three levels throughout the game. Pfefferle is an agile and quick point guard who blew past defenders with ease, slipped through tight gaps collapsing the defense, and kept the ball moving with crisp and timely assists. He portrayed a strong rip through, drove his way into the heart of the defense, and finished with crafty reverse layups, soft finger rolls at the front of the rim, or connected on floaters. A unique part of his game that impressed me was his ambidexterity, as Pfefferle simply utilized his off-hand (left) to gently toss in floaters when using his dominant hand wasn't a reliable option. His offensive shot making also extended out to the perimeter as Pfefferle sank catch-and-shoot threes and the ability to pull-up from around the top of the arc. At times, Pfefferle also showed he was capable of posting up smaller guards, and he held his pivot foot strongly which assisted with a couple skillful up-and-under moves. When transition opportunities presented themselves Pfefferle beat defenders down court or followed up on missed shots from teammates. He is a true team leader and shows support for his teammates in times of frustration.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Michael Robinson 2024 6'3" / Pearl (MS) / Jackson Blue Devils Elite   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/mic_robinson-crop-3063x2011-1688874242.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/mic_robinson-crop-3063x2011-1688874242.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2060241" width="267" height="175" /></a></figure>   Robinson was an exciting 2024 Mississippi prospect to watch for a high energy Blue Devils Elite squad. The 6'3" combo guard is a slasher within the offense, and understands that constant motion and timely cuts not only create scoring opportunities for himself, but creates space for effective dribble penetration. His mentality for quick cuts towards the middle of the lane, and along the baseline, opened up many easy buckets at the rim where he either finished or saw himself head to the foul line. Opponents couldn't play off of him too much either because Robinson displayed the ability to drain spot up three pointers. With strong ball-handling technique, Robinson also took the ball into his own hands at times which relieved pressure from Blue Devil's main guards. On the defensive end, Robinson's frame and scrappiness was a constant disruption for opposing ball-handlers, and he showed great position within the gaps to deny passes and cause deflections. He competes quietly, yet fiercely, and it doesn't take him long to find a comfortable rhythm.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='1937956' first='Alex' last='Danehl'] 2024 6'2" SG / Metea Valley / [program_tooltip program_id='2075622' first='M14' last='Hoops'] Nat'l 2   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/alex_danehl-1-crop-2657x1745-1688869375.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/alex_danehl-1-crop-2657x1745-1688869375.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2060121" width="269" height="177" /></a></figure>   We've all heard the mantra "hand down, man down" before, and Danehl is a true example of why you can't leave a shooter any room. The 6'2" shooting guard was exceptional from beyond the arc in a game I caught against Illinois Outwork 17U, where [program_tooltip program_id='2075622' first='M14' last='Hoops'] Nat'l 2 only suited up five players. In my book I had Danehl connecting on seven threes from a variety of spots. Spot up threes from each wing, catch-and-shoot buckets from the corner, and even received a handoff where he swiftly rose high and swished from the peak of downtown. Danehl is confident in his shot, has a quick trigger, and isn't afraid to keep shooting in order to fall into a rhythm. But being as accurate and deadly of a shooter that Danehl is, he showcased the ability to attack the rim and finish with a few sweeping layups, or smartly kick out passes when the defense filled the paint. In addition, he provided vital leadership and teamwork for a team that was short on players. Danehl definitely boosted his stock this weekend, and I have a feeling the deep range deadeye is going to be a huge problem for opponents when the regular season kicks off.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='1431465' first='Zayn' last='Young'] 2025 6'2" PG / Pius XI Catholic (WI) / [program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] Black   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/zayn_young-crop-2936x1928-1688872570.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/zayn_young-crop-2936x1928-1688872570.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2060207" width="272" height="178" /></a></figure>   The 6'2" rising junior out of the greater Milwaukee area provided timely and efficient shot making for [program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] 2025. Young excelled at breaking down his defenders before smoothly knifing his way into the key. In addition, along the perimeter, Young lulled defenders to sleep to the point where he took them off the dribble and flew to the rim. Achieving solid position inside the paint allowed him to make shots over defenders, or initiate contact where he finished through contact or drew himself to the charity stripe. Young has a lean, strong, and muscular build in which he used that advantage during post ups, where he showcased the ability to create separation and sink post fade-aways. All of the skills listed above helped Young total 14 points and a splendid all-around game in a tough, first outing, 3-point loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black. His competitive drive pushes him to pursue greatness and I am positive he'll be a major factor for Pius XI Catholic this upcoming season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Kamarian Mayfield 2024 6'2" PG / Quitman (MS) / Jackson Blue Devils Elite   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/kamarian_mayfield-crop-2274x1493-1688874677.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/kamarian_mayfield-crop-2274x1493-1688874677.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2060255" width="274" height="180" /></a></figure>   An explosive and bouncy 6'2" point guard for Jackson Blue Devils, Mayfield is another Mississippi prospect that garnered much attention. His first step off the dribble is uber quick, and in the blink of an eye Mayfield can either whiz past defenders or instantly provide backdoor cut opportunities. Even though he isn't the tallest on the court, don't let that fool you, because Mayfield can elevate. I caught a game against The Academy Chicago where he followed up a missed transition layup with a put back dunk. Then on the following possession he caused a steal and dashed all the way into a rim grazing dunk. His verticality is also displayed when snatching defensive rebounds. Mayfield soars high to secure rebounds and has the arm extension to grab balls that seem out of reach. Plus, driving guards must be aware of his position on the court, because he came out of no where to provide the audience with an astonishing backboard block. Besides his leaping ability and agility, Mayfield has the range to drain perimeter shots, via spot up or creating his own shot off the dribble. Overall, Mayfield is an astounding athletic lead-guard who provides scoring at all three levels, has springs in his legs, and flies around on the defensive end.

The lights at Romeoville Athletic Center on Saturday shined down brightly on many prospects. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their respective last dance's in front of college scouts and coaches, and our very own Prep Hoops Scouts. I was there in the middle of the hardwood keeping an eye on numerous courts. Check out my stars from Saturday in Burish's Last Dance Saturday Stars!