IA Top 250-Expo: Live Notes (Part 1)
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This past week at the Prep Hoops IA Top 250-Expo I was tasked to help with scouting the event as I coached on one of the courts. While I was watching the athletes compete out there in each contest and…
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Continue ReadingThis past week at the Prep Hoops IA Top 250-Expo I was tasked to help with scouting the event as I coached on one of the courts. While I was watching the athletes compete out there in each contest and later on in the film I watched, I took small “live” notes, explaining somethings about the player and their performance in that moment. Below I will be highlighting players that stood out to me from afar, while stating what their “live notes” were during their games.
*Players listed as: (Jersey #, Name, Class, Size, College Position, Current High School) – For rewatching purposes on BallerTV.
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#406 – Preston Daedlow Preston Daedlow 5'8" | PG Tipton | 2024 State IA – 2024 – 5’8 – PG – Tipton High School
“Hard nosed PG. Someone that understands where he fits with the rest of the players around him, when put on a random team. Determined with the ball in his hands but doesn’t force any action unless his team absolutely NEEDS it. Plays with purpose and intent. Saw several players compete today, not many with those two things while doing it.”
#440 – Calvin Flood Calvin Flood 6'0" | PG Urbandale | 2024 State IA – 2024 – 6’1 – PG/SG – Waukee High School
“Leader and commander out on the basketball court at all times. Someone his teammates can rely on throughout a game when things become tight. Can score from all three levels at decent rate offensively, while being a menace on defense. Overall, a solid game that could produce at the varsity level this season. Very personable individual in general.”
#467 – Mateo Dzolota Mateo Dzolota 6'0" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2025 State IA – 2025 – 6’0 – PG – Waukee NW High School
“One of the best point guards of the day, HANDS DOWN. A player that gets everyone involved off of the catch or dribble and he can score at a good rate as well, if the offensive possession happens to break down. I think that myself and all the other coaching individuals agreed that this was our PG on the day at this Expo. He does everything out there really well. No other way to put it.”
#494 – Marty Blakey – 2024 – 6’4 – CG/SF – Kennedy High School
“Strong and physical CG/SF. Most would say that he is too big to be a CG but I think that he is coordinated enough to step outside the lane and knock down a jumper from mid-range. Uses his aggressive play style to take advantage of his defenders when they are sleeping at a consistent rate. Defensively, he can wall up against bigger players or get his hands on the ball against a fast-paced guard. A lot of positives.”
#421 – Lorenzo Pino Lorenzo Pino 5'11" | SG Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2026 State IA – 2026 – 5’11 – PG – Xavier High School
“His complete game is coming together. Someone that can be trusted in big moments and that is very obvious from watching him compete at one event/expo. Someone that has natural knowledge of the game mixed in with coordination and touch on the basketball. Can score from all three levels but is also an even facilitator to others around him. Better “feel” for the game then most I saw competing on the day with his ability to shoot it over bigger defenders or drive it to the hoop.”
#475 – Cailen Shadrick Cailen Shadrick 6'2" | SF Davenport North | 2025 State IA – 2025 – 6’3 – SG/CG – Bettendorf High School
“Impressive overall skill-set for his size. Uses his body well to create space so that he can get a shot off against any defender. A player that isn’t going to kill you with speed but with craftiness and will-power. Needs to become a more consistent shooter from long range but he does possess fundamental shot form/balance. Checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to being able to compete at the college level.”
#457 – Marcele Whitner Marcele Whitner 6'4" | SF Mason City | 2026 State IA – 2026 – 6’4 – Forward – Mason City High School
“Has a lot of raw talent. Moves well naturally and shows glimpses of being able to do an advanced skill move while attacking his defender. Understands how to beat his guy but after that part, it needs a little bit of work. Gets to all of the spots he wants to as the game progresses on. Understanding his age, natural athleticism, and personality from speaking with him, his future is bright on the court in Mason City.”