Players I Need To See Again #PHHardWorkFinals
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The Hard Work Finals are always an amazing event and this year was no different. PHD watched 15U, 16U, and 17U and we mainly focused on players from the Dakotas. It was my first time watching some players live and…
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Continue ReadingThe Hard Work Finals are always an amazing event and this year was no different. PHD watched 15U, 16U, and 17U and we mainly focused on players from the Dakotas. It was my first time watching some players live and other guys I have seen play dozens of times. That got me thinking…when will I get to see most of these ballers hoop again? Many of them I will see play in person while others reside on the opposite side of the state, so I may have to watch film online. With that being said, all of these players are intriguing and I hope to watch them play basketball again for a variety of reasons.
See below for brief comments on the players at the Finals and the reasons why I want to watch them again in the near future.
We have 14 players to discuss, 7 from ND & 7 from SD….
Players I Need To See Again
He really impressed me on Friday night w/ 20 points, 4 trips & a comeback win. Better shooter & passer than I realized
WHY? He will be new at Lennox and they will easily be one of the top teams in SD class A. It will be interesting to see how Katzer fits in with the Orioles and what role he plays. Boston has some familiarity with the program as he has played AAU for coach Buckmiller in the past. Katzer will likely be the QB for the football team this fall and he should carry that success/momentum into the hoops season. PHD will watch plenty of Lennox basketball this winter and we are excited to see Mr. Katzer in the black and orange. I am also hoping to see Boston back on the Circuit next AAU season for multiple events.
He and the Prospects had a great showing on their Final 4 run. I like his size, skill, demeanor, and instincts on the court
WHY? He did not get the attention and recognition that he deserved this AAU season. Part of that is because of the other talent on the team and part of that comes from him being from Bismarck and me not knowing a ton about Braylon heading into the spring. Class A kids in the 2026 class saw very little varsity action last season. It will be interesting to see what level Aldinger plays this winter while at Century. He is a versatile player that can succeed in multiple roles. PHD will be keeping close track of Braylon this winter and we hope to see him back live and in person on the Circuit this next spring.
Highlights
His team was a bit sloppy on Friday when I watched but Brooks was the bright spot, he made enough plays to win in OT
WHY? He saw varsity action this past season as an 8th grader and an argument could be been made that Bakko was good enough to be the starting PG. Bakko had quite the spring/summer with highlight plays, he had many jaw-dropping 2-handed WHAMs. His dunking ability is good enough to make a college player blush. Bakko’s pull-up jumper and skills are also advanced. When playing with Phenom, Bakko was competing up an age group and he was often one of the top players on the court. PHD will watch many Kindred games this coming year and Bakko will likely be the man leading the Vikings from the PG spot. Basketball fans should have Brooks very high on their watchlist for the 2023-24 season.
Helped Phenom get to the Champion game! Englund was a dawg on D, Caden consistently made smart plays/decisions
WHY? He is a timely playmaker and a talented combo guard. Englund makes hustle plays, he dives on the floor for loose balls, and he thrives at penetrating past the defense to make things happen for his teammates. Caden will be a top guard for the Skyhawks this coming school season and they will be competing in the “new” A division. It will be fun to see how Shiloh does against the bigger schools. I know one thing, Englund will be one the the top backcourt players in A ball. PHD will see plenty of Shiloh games this winter. We re excited to see Phenom and Englund on the Circuit next spring in the 17U division. After a great AAU campaign, ND Phenom should be a mainstay in pool A at the 2024 PH Circuit events.
Highlights
I saw him on Friday, he stuck out as a hard worker on both ends, showed razor-sharp skills, sweet floater, a 3-level scorer
WHY? He stood out to me last winter with his 3-point shooting. Drake can hit from deep and his pull-up game is buttery smooth. Stanley will be in class A Region 3 and on paper it looks like they should be one of the top teams. The Blue Jays will have a talented backcourt and they have a new player coming to town by the name of Bennett Larson Bennett Larson 6’7″ | C Stanley | 2026 State ND , you may have heard that name before! Schlosser will be one of the more underrated players in the new class A and PHD is expecting this talented player to make some noise.
Highlights
He made the Dakotas All-Tournament Team, Hayden played consistent & productive basketball in his final Circuit event
WHY? He first stuck out to me last fall at the Dakotas Top 250 Expo and Hayden has continued to improve since then. I expect him to be the lead guard for Roosevelt this season and the Riders will have their sights sets on getting back to the top in AA. Hayden has had a quality AAU season and it will come to an end this coming weekend. Goff has proven that he is a two-way player. He has locked people up on the defensive end and has been a playmaker on offense. Get ready for an epic senior season from Goff, PHD will certainly be watching.
Grabs your attention w/ height, wingspan, and mobility. He showed some nice moves on the block & he shared the ball.
WHY? He has come a long ways in the past year and it will be fun to see how his game evolves in the next 6 months. There are certainty college coaches interested and it will be fun to see how that all shakes out in terms of recruitment. Another reason to watch Mr. Kuhl is the fact that he will be at a new school this year. Jake will be at West Central and they will have one of the biggest starting lineups in state of South Dakota. The Trojans will have a tough team and PHD believes that they will have a legit chance at a trip to State. If West Central makes a deep playoff run, Jake will have a huge hand in that. I can officially say that Mr. Kuhl and the Trojans will be right near the top of my watchlist when the season gets tipped off.
He keeps improving/advancing his game, after watching him at the Finals, I can confirm that Nelson is bigger & stronger
WHY? Devils Lake would be one of the best teams in AA and they will be competing in A. The Firebirds are loaded with talent/skill/size/athletes and Nelson will be one of the dudes. When I talk to the Bears Tail & DL coaches, they always say that Nelson is a hard worker and his game is improving. Do not forget, Joel is Grant Nelson’s younger brother, so he certainly has the potential to develop into a special player. Devils Lake and Joel will have a great year and PHD will be watching with a close eye this winter. We expect the Firebirds to be at State in March and shortly after I hope to see Nelson live on the Circuit once again.
He made impressive plays this past weekend. John knocked down many three-pointers & he showed off his athleticism
WHY? He has the height, wingspan, mobility, and shooting to attract college coaches. I know scouts have been watching and they certainly will have eyes on Angau again this winter. I could see John as a breakout player for the Mustangs this winter. Sheyenne has a monster down low with Tommy Ahneman Tommy Ahneman 6’10” | PF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2025 State #315 Nation ND and another athletic wing with Caleb Duerr Caleb Duerr 6’4″ | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024 ND . Angau should have plenty of chances to prove himself and I will not be surprised if he is a difference maker 3-points at a time.
Highlights
He had a good showing at the Finals and his polished skills were on full display. An impact player with extreme length
WHY? I will not actually get a chance to watch JT again until he plays college ball for the Cyclones. Rock played his last Prep Hoops Circuit event and his final AAU tournament will be this weekend in Sioux Falls. JT recently reclassified and he will now head to Ames this fall and forego his senior season at Lincoln.
From everyone at Prep Hoops Dakotas….Best of Luck at Iowa State!
I watched him on Friday night, Julius is bigger and stronger than I realized. He is tough inside the arc, impressive J-shot
WHY? I had watched him online a couple times this last season and I saw Frog at Bears Tail practice. The Finals was my first time seeing him play a live game and I really liked what I saw. Rapid City Christian is going to be the real deal this coming season and Frog will be a dominant forward. Benson Kieffer Benson Kieffer 5’10” | PG Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD and Julius Frog Julius Frog 6’5″ | PF Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD will be a dynamic duo for the Comets. When it comes to basketball in West River, RCC will be one of the elite teams. PHD predicts the Comets to be top team in class A and for them to make a serious run at the State Tournament.
He was named to the Dakotas All-Tournament 1st Team, Luke shot it hot, he even erupted for 39 points in a single game
WHY? His basketball family tree is a good enough reason to want to watch this kid. Luke has definitely been living up to the Bruns last name this spring and summer. He did not get a ton of opportunities to shine this past season because of the loaded senior class at Dakota Valley. This coming year will be a different story. Luke will be a green-light shooter that will put up massive numbers. DV lost a ton of talent but they will still be tough and pick up many wins. Bruns is a stock riser and he is moving up fast. PHD will see Bruns a bunch this winter and we look forward to seeing him ball with SD Identity once again next spring/summer.
I really like/appreciate Engebretson’s demeanor on the court. His shooting stroke looked really good this past weekend
WHY? He is a versatile basketball player that can make plays all over the court. Max was new to Sioux Valley last year and this season he will have a new/expanded role. Engebretson and Alec Squires Alec Squires 6’10” | C Sioux Valley | 2024 State #280 Nation SD will be a tough 1-2 punch and PHD believes that the Cossacks will one of the top teams in A. Max is legit but I think he is a still a bit of underrated talent because he played with Vincent and Squires last season. The Cossacks and Engebretson will be the real deal once agai!
He was one of the top players for the Prospects who made it to the Final 4. Sam made plays on O & D, I liked what I saw
WHY? His 3-point shot seems to have improved, I like his strength/physicality, he plays intense, and Glandt has the ability to be an impact player. Sam certainly plays with a passion, a competitive edge, and he strives to improve. I think the Packers will be a fascinating team this coming season. I am beyond-interested to see what the starting lineup and the rotation looks like for West Fargo. Glandt has the drive, skill, and physical ability to be a serious player for the Packers varsity squad. PHD will be keeping a close eye on West Fargo and the EDC. Sam will be a 16U player next AAU season and PHD will be elated when he gets back on the Prep Hoops Circuit.