5 Best: Waterloo vs Columbia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday night PHI traveled to Waterloo to check out two of the better prospects in southern Illinois.&nbsp; Columbia made a late run, but it wasn't enough as Waterloo got the win 53-49.&nbsp; We examine their play along with other standouts in <strong>5 Best:</strong> <strong>Waterloo vs Columbia</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766463' first='Alex' last='Stell'] (Waterloo – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stell is a 6'10” true five man that has a big body that really knows how to play the game.&nbsp; Excellent at using his body and knowing how to position himself to gain the advantage.&nbsp; Started off getting on the offensive glass for a put back.&nbsp; Then worked his way down from the elbow for a hook shot.&nbsp; Mixed in a mid-range jumper and slip to the hoop on an out of bounds play.&nbsp; Seals extremely well on the block and has an excellent hook shot with touch.&nbsp; Very sound footwork and is light on his feet for his size.&nbsp; Volume rebounder in his area who snatches them at the highest point.&nbsp; Pin point passer was picking the defense apart like Jokic on several occasions hitting cutters for scores when facing the basket beyond the arc.&nbsp; Also throws really good outlet passes that were consistently on the money.&nbsp; Went for 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 dimes.&nbsp; Made another strong case that D1s should be getting involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217948' first='Caleb' last='Yochum'] (Waterloo – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yochum is a scrappy senior point guard that lived in the lane.&nbsp; Sweeping layups, spinning floaters, reverse layups, and pull ups from the mid-range.&nbsp; Finished with 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2318244' first='Rodrigo' last='Lopez']-Tercero (Waterloo – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This big man caught our attention early in the season and was a force once again in this game.&nbsp; The 6'8” strong bodied five man consistently garnered deep post position over and over again where he used touch to finish on hook shots and layups.&nbsp; Got to the line where he shoots it well and is a solid rebounder.&nbsp; He had 18 points.&nbsp; Can see a small college looking at this big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568153' first='Sam' last='Donald'] (Columbia – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other top junior prospect we attended this game for was Donald.&nbsp; At 6'8” he has good size and athleticism.&nbsp; We see him as a face up four at the next level.&nbsp; He played primarily on the perimeter for Columbia as more of a wing.&nbsp; Known as a knock down shooter he hit two threes including a key one late to get his team within a bucket along with a crisp mid-range pull up.&nbsp; Overall though the jumper wasn't falling and he forced quite a few contested shots in this game.&nbsp; Would have liked to see him be more aggressive putting it on the deck and getting to the rim or posting up for some quick hitters.&nbsp; He did show that once in the open floor going coast to coast for a bucket.&nbsp; Skilled prospect with a clean stroke and plus athleticism.&nbsp; He had 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayes van Breusegen (Columbia – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excellent game for this 5'10” point guard.&nbsp; He lived in the mid-range hitting them over and over and over again.&nbsp; Defenders seemed to give him space and he rose up for it knocking in at least five of them.&nbsp; Also mixed in some acrobatic layups in an 18 point outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->