Week One Review: Top 2024s Tony Saw
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Jack Hanson IA #207 SG #53 HEIGHT 6'2" POS SG CLASS 2024 View Profile Jack Hanson Instagram Twitter State: Iowa School: Charles City Following the loss of leading scorer Kam Mestas Kam Mestas 6’5″ | PF Charles City | 2024…
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Continue ReadingFollowing the loss of leading scorer Kam Mestas Kam Mestas 6’5″ | PF Charles City | 2024 State IA (moved to Minnesota), the Comets need someone to step up and become a reliable perimeter scoring threat, and Hanson looks like he may be the guy. He had 13 points on 5-12 shooting (2-7 3P) in the Comets’ season-opening loss to Xavier, showing the ability to score off the dribble or with good off-ball movement. A lefty with a smooth stroke from the arc, he showed some capability as a playmaker as well, dishing out a team-high three assists.
Following a lot of losses to graduation and transfer, Xavier needs a go-to player to step up, and that could be Netolicky this season. Despite facing a Charles City zone that was constantly collapsing down onto him, Netolicky finished with 11 points on 5-7 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. He showed impressive vision and passing instincts and touch when playing a high-low game as well as improved footwork on his post touches. He does a great job keeping the ball high after pulling down rebounds and while making his moves, taking advantage of his size. He’s a good, mobile defender who communicates and protects the paint.
Huston is a fantastic athlete who is going to give the Dragons some explosiveness and versatility on both ends of the floor following his transfer from Marshalltown. At 6-3, he has good length and is able to use his athleticism to defend against bigger players, and he has the quickness to defend on the perimeter as well. He’s strong on the glass on both ends of the floor and is a terror when he’s playing downhill and attacking the rim. He only attempted one 3-pointer in the Dragons’ win over Prairie, but his stroke looked smooth and he shot it with confidence off the catch. He finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.
The Hawks lost a lot of production to graduation, and will need Burkle to be a go-to scorer for them this season. He looked really comfortable getting to his spots in the mid-range, showing good footwork and soft touch from 15 feet and in. He has improved as a ball-handler and is able to create tiny bits of space to get his shot off, and he was especially great in the first quarter of their loss to Johnston, scoring 10 of his team-high 15 points in the opening frame by using his size, athleticism, and physicality to get where he wanted.
Kampman had a major impact on the game in Liberty’s season-opening win over CCA, scoring 9 points with 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. He’s a long, rangy defender who covers a ton of ground on that end of the floor and is a really good help defender who recovers quickly and protects the paint. He was a force on the glass, especially on the defensive end, and displayed improved court vision and passing, finding open teammates on his post touches for layups.
Hughes is one of the best pure shooters in the area, but he wasn’t at his best in that regard in the Lightning’s win over CCA, going 2-6 from the arc and 5-14 from the floor. That said, he found other ways to impact the game, pulling down 6 rebounds to go with a pair of assists and a pair of steals. He has improved tremendously over the last two years in terms of his all-around game, turning himself from a catch-and-shoot wing into a valuable all-around weapon on both ends of the floor.
Hardy had a rough night finishing around the rim against Liberty, shooting just 5-17 from the floor, but he impressed with his all-around floor game for the Clippers, chipping in 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. He’s a good ball-handler who does a nice job changing speeds and use his change of direction and handles to get by defenders and get to the rim. He flashed good court vision and passing instincts, finding open cutting teammates on his drives for easy looks, and he’s an active defender who has a knack for jumping passing lanes.
Joe Broderick Joe Broderick 6'4" | PF Dowling Catholic | 2024 State IA
Joe Broderick Joe Broderick 6'4" | PF Dowling Catholic | 2024 State IA
Broderick missed last season for the Maroons recovering from an ACL injury, but he made a huge splash in his first varsity game, dropping 31 points and 17 rebounds on the defending 4A champions. A skilled 6-4 combo forward who showcased a smooth stroke and quick release off the catch from deep, he shot 11-22 from the floor (2-4 3P) and was a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line while pulling down 7 offensive rebounds. He has a bit of a throwback, YMCA-style game, a crafty scorer around the bucket and a relentless presence on the glass. He showed good court vision (4 assists) and a good feel for the game as well, and with his size at 6-4, he can get his shot off whenever he wants. Having him on the floor will be a major boost for Dowling, a team that surprised many with their play in the opening week.
Coppola is one of the most fun guards in the state to watch, a confident shooter who isn’t fazed by the moment, and a creative and skilled playmaker. He had 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists (against ZERO turnovers) in the Maroons’ loss to Valley. He’s a good shooter both off the dribble and the catch, showing the ability to play with or without the ball in his hands. He’s a good on-ball defender who moves his feet and keeps ball-handlers in front of him.