ECI 16U Prospects: Hoops Review

PHD has another Season Review article for you to check out. We are looking at Kyle Cummings' squad, [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] 16U Prospects. They competed on the Prep Hoops Circuit and they represented North Dakota in a first-class manner. They faced tough competition throughout the grassroots season and they finished the campaign with a 17-15 record. This squad has intriguing talent on the roster. Some of these ballers are already accomplished high school players and others are ready for a breakout season. Get to know these players, they will have a splashy junior season!   See below for player comments and a Q&A session with coach Cummings.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" /></a></figure>   Player Comments from Coach Cummings   [player_tooltip player_id='1169135' first='Pearce' last='Parks'] |6'3 G/F| Red River   "High-level athlete, a matchup nightmare, scores from all three levels, uses his length really well to guard 1-5. He improved his playmaking and involvement of others. We knew that if we were in a scoring drought we could get Parks the ball and he could go get us a bucket."   [player_tooltip player_id='1189404' first='Brady' last='Westphal'] |6'1 G| Horace   "Sharpshooter! He can get hot in a hurry. We could count on him to get hot and go on a 12-0 run on his own at times. Improved immensely on defense this AAU season. He was a leader on our team and his energy was contagious!"   Carsten Hoff |6'2 G| Moorhead   "Another Sharpshooter for our squad. When his shot is falling the ball doesn't even touch the rim. Improved his foot speed and half-court defense as the season went on. Did a good job attacking closeouts and creating for others."   [player_tooltip player_id='1871750' first='Jacob' last='Schaefer'] |6'2 G| Des Lacs-Burlington   "Missed some games due to summer baseball but his strength made him one of our toughest defenders and he rebounded extremely well from the guard spot. He improved his scoring later in the summer by getting out and running in transition and improved his touch from the outside making him a lethal shooter."   [player_tooltip player_id='1167610' first='Matthew' last='Sem'] |6'1 G| Fargo North   "Dynamic ball-in-hand guard, great in the ball screen, knocks down tough shots with ease, and has some flashy passes. His improvements were that he learned to make the “simple” play later in the year. Instead of going for the “homerun” play, he learned there is nothing wrong with hitting a single."   [player_tooltip player_id='1167613' first='Eric' last='DeBoer'] |6'5 G/F| Fargo North   "He was able to shred opposing team defenses with his passing and play-making ability. He is another player that has a nice-looking outside shot. He improved on the defensive end by using his length and active hands. Late in the year, he was constantly getting tips, steals, and getting us started in transition."   [player_tooltip player_id='1177134' first='Aric' last='Winczewski'] |6'1 G| Minot   "Natural leader, true point guard, and as smart as they come. Definition of a floor general. Rebounded well from the guard spot, and often guarded the opposing team's best guard. Improvements came later in the year when he “chose his moments”. Aric knew when to get his teammates involved and knew when it was his time to score or look for his shot."   [player_tooltip player_id='1871749' first='Landon' last='Bedell'] |6'7 C| Minot   "Old fashion, true 5. Developed a nice back-to-the-basket game this year. I was really impressed by his ability to catch everything and his footwork in the post. His improvements came in the ball screen game. Instead of only being a roll guy in the pick and roll, he learned how to read the defense and become a threat by knocking down a pick and pop three or a pick and roll 15-footer."   [player_tooltip player_id='1177138' first='Grayson' last='Schaeffer'] |6'5 F| Minot   "Sneaky athletic, had a number of dunks this year in transition and in the half-court off of lobs from a set or a nice slip to the rim. Can also score from all three levels, has really good timing on blocking shots, and rebounded at a high level for us. His improvement consisted of his shot selection and ball movement. He did a nice job late in the summer by driving, drawing a second defender, and making the right play."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/[program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last='']16TWO.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/[program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last='']16TWO.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2117017" /></a></figure>   Q&A with Kyle Cummings   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?    "A successful one! We had a winning record, and each player improved. I was proud that we competed in every game. We had a lot of close games this AAU season."   PHD: What are some of the highlights from the season?    "We had a lot of highlights by our guys with flashy passes, dunks, and making some WOW plays this year. One that stands out is [player_tooltip player_id='1167610' first='Matthew' last='Sem'] connecting with [player_tooltip player_id='1177138' first='Grayson' last='Schaeffer'] on a lob in the half-court."   PHD: How did you and your team overcome adversity?   "Going 2-2 in Chicago with 7 guys. We played in a tough bracket and competed in all four games while missing a couple of our players."   PHD: Who were a couple of your top shooters?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1189404' first='Brady' last='Westphal'] and Carsten Hoff are two guys that can hit shots in bunches and get hot!"   PHD: Who was your most improved player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1871750' first='Jacob' last='Schaefer'] – He missed some tournaments due to baseball but he had a heck of a last tournament! Guarded, rebounded, and hit timely buckets!"   PHD: Who were some of your hardest workers?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1871749' first='Landon' last='Bedell'] did a lot of dirty work for us. He always found a body while boxing out on D, and always worked hard to get us extra possessions on offense."   PHD: Who was your best defensive player and why?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1177134' first='Aric' last='Winczewski'] – Always WANTED to guard the opposing team's best player. He would pick up full court on his own and make it hell for the opposing team."   PHD: Which tourney was the most fun?   "Hard Work Region Finals – We had four quality games, every game was close, and we were able to have most of our guys there for the last tourney of the year!"   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PHCircuitLaunch-crop-475x312-1681138030.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PHCircuitLaunch-crop-475x312-1681138030.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1902939" /></a></figure>

PHD has another Season Review article for you to check out. We are looking at Kyle Cummings' squad, ECI 16U Prospects. They competed on the Prep Hoops Circuit and they represented North Dakota in a first-class manner. They faced tough competition throughout the grassroots season and they finished the campaign with a 17-15 record. This squad has intriguing talent on the roster. Some of these ballers are already accomplished high school players and others are ready for a breakout season. Get to know these players, they will have a splashy junior season!