Hard Work Region Finals: Jack’s Day One Stars
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Here are the seven prospects who stood out to me most on the opening day of the Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals! Ryan Johnson MN #18 SG #1 HEIGHT 6'4" POS SG CLASS 2024 View Profile Ryan Johnson Instagram…
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Continue ReadingHere are the seven prospects who stood out to me most on the opening day of the Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals!
Ryan was the go-to guy down the stretch for Minnesota Select in a tight, back and forth game with RIT Elite. He finished the win with a team-high 18 points, with 13 of those coming in the second half. He connected with a pair of catch-and-shoot threes, threw down an alley-oop dunk, and got to the rim for an and-one finish in very clutch moments. Johnson has seen his recruitment increase in the past couple weeks, earning a handful of D2 offers.
Highlights
Jamal was putting on a show with the ball in his hands on Friday, seeing just about everything fall. The unsigned senior scored 27 points in a tight loss, almost pulling off the upset over Real Phenom. In the first half, Woods saw all of his success come at the rim, using the combination of his speed and strength to will himself to the basket. He started to get hot from the perimeter in the second half, but it was ultimately not enough to pull out the win.
I was very impressed with Darius’ game back in April and it was much of the same on Friday night. The 6’2” guard has all the physical tools to play at the next level, showing off his strength and jumping abilities throughout the game. He is a threat to score from all three levels, but did most of his damage around the basket, occasionally connecting with some ridiculously tough looks off the dribble as well. Chestnut has been one of my favorite players to watch this season.
Alec used his size and strength to absolutely dominate on Friday night. He was almost impossible to stop in the paint, grabbing contested rebounds on both ends of the floor with ease. There was no answer for him when he got the ball inside, converting some finishes through loads of traffic. Squires also impressed me with some of the passes he was able to make out of the post, setting up his teammates for open looks. The 6’10” big man is committed to South Dakota State.
De’Von Irvin
De’Von Irvin
I love how De’Von is always bringing the energy and effort on the defensive end. He was picking up full court the majority of the game I saw and was constantly forcing turnovers with his ball pressure. He can move laterally so quick and was like a brick wall for opposing ball handlers to get around. Irvin also scored a decent amount, cashing in transition opportunities and even knocked down some shots from the outside. Irvin is a player I would love to have on my team.
Marcus has seen his stock continue to rise this summer and it is easy to see why. He can bring the ball up the floor and create looks for himself off the dribble, or play off the ball and let things come to him offensively. He is a three level scorer and was blowing by defenders with one quick move. He can finish well with either hand and was not bothered by larger defender’s contests. Burks’ versatility is a huge reason why he has recently picked up offers from UMary and Northern State.
Kacy was giving it his all on Friday night, but he and RIT Elite just came up short in their attempted upset over Minnesota Select . The unsigned senior racked up 24 points in the tight loss, bringing it on offense and defense. He really impressed me with his ability to attack the basket and finish through contact, being able to contort his body to avoid being blocked. The 6’1” guard also proved himself as a reliable ball handler, making smart plays to maximize possessions. Tesch is another guy who impressed me back in April as well.