2027’s Watchlist #PHBATL
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This weekend Prep Hoops is putting on one of the biggest events of the grassroots season. What? BATTLE AT THE LAKES! The event tips off on Friday and PHD will be watching all weekend. In this article, PHD has thirteen 2027 Players on…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend Prep Hoops is putting on one of the biggest events of the grassroots season. What? BATTLE AT THE LAKES!
The event tips off on Friday and PHD will be watching all weekend.
In this article, PHD has thirteen 2027 Players on the Watchlist. We will give you a couple of reasons to watch them and ask one question about each baller.
In this Watchlist Article, we are looking at 9th graders from North Dakota & South Dakota.
2027’s
Aiden Green Aiden Green 6'0" | PG Horace | 2027 State ND |6’0 G| JSizzle Adidas Gold 2027
WHY?
He had a very good school season and it will be interesting to see what his role is on JSizzle. Green is a fast & mobile athlete with a top-notch crossover. I like his pull-up game and his finishing package. It will be fun to see if he can stand out at this loaded event.
How interested is he on the defensive end, can he keep his man out of the paint?
Ben Jensen Ben Jensen 5'4" | CG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2027 SD |5’4 G| Sanford Sports Academy 2027 Grey
WHY?
Jensen is a sharpshooter who can fill it up. Look for him to impact the game with his jump shot. Ben has quick feet and he can defend the full length of the court. He is a pesky defender. Look for Ben to be a difference-maker on both ends of the hardwood.
As a smaller guard, how does he hold up on defense?
Colt Champion Colt Champion 6'6" | C Alexander | 2027 State ND |6’6 PF| ECI 2027 Jordan
WHY?
He has imposing size & length! Colt looks to have the build of a future college football player. This kid is physical and he does not shy from contact. Expect him to block and alter multiple shots this weekend. Champion rebounds with an aggressive and greedy nature. I am intrigued by his potential.
Will his teammates feed him the rock, this BIG needs touches!
Deondre Painter Deondre Painter 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2027 State SD |6’2 SF| Sanford Sports Academy 2027 UA Rise
WHY?
Offensively he can get downhill to the rim at will and that puts opposing teams in hot water. Painter is knocking down 3-pointers at a smoking hot 40+% clip. This has really increased his effectiveness on the offensive end. Defensively, Deondre is playing at a high level. He is physically strong with good feet and he defends the other team’s best perimeter player. Painter is a 2-way baller.
He is playing in pool A & will see fierce competition, will he stand out as 1 of the top players?
Emerson Marum Emerson Marum 6'0" | SG Bottineau | 2027 State ND |6’0 G| Northern Elites
WHY?
He attacks the rim aggressively and can knock down perimeter shots all day. Emerson has played well so far this spring and is making positive plays, especially on defense. I watched Marum at the Spring Exposure event and this kid is legit.
Elites does not have a ton of size, how does he hold up on D when he has to defend BIGs?
Gibson Kinnebrew Gibson Kinnebrew 6'3" | SG Bismarck Century | 2027 State ND |6’3 G| D1 MN 2027 3SSB
WHY?
He and D1 are playing up an age group in Pool A. It will be fun to see Gibby go against elite competition and see how he holds up. He was a dawg at TC Takedown. Gibby is too big/athletic for most guards to handle and BIGs can not stay with him. Kinnebrew is a matchup nightmare and a human highlight reel. Get the camera ready when he is in the halfcourt!
Does he continue to shoot it well from beyond the arc?
Hayden Enger Hayden Enger 6'3" | SG Lisbon | 2027 State ND |6’3 G| ND Attack 2027
WHY?
He can get hot in a hurry and change the game with his outside shot. Enger has a nice basketball build for his age with lean muscle and strong shoulders. His length should allow him to get his shot off against smaller defenders. It will be fun to see if he can shoot Attack to multiple wins at BATL.
Does he look to score anywhere inside the 3-point arc?
Hudson Rietschel Hudson Rietschel 6'0" | SG Northern Cass | 2027 State ND |6’0 G| ECI 2027 Mattern
WHY?
He is a talented shooter from beyond the 3-point arc. I have watched Rietschel light it up in the past, he is an impactful shooter. This spring, the young Jag is more active on the glass and is attacking the paint more and not settling for the three-ball.
When slashing does he kick it out to open shooters and does he play off 2 feet in the paint?
Nelson Decoteau Nelson Decoteau 6'7" | PF Dunseith | 2027 State ND |6’7 PF| North Dakota Phenom 2027
Phenom is in Pool A and they will be playing a loaded schedule! They open the event up against MN Fury 2027 Zurn, which will be a must-watch game. Nelson is a big boy with length and skill. He was very productive in the high school season and put up quality numbers. Nelson is used to playing against older competition, it will be fun to see if he can dominate against the tough competition.
How is his mobility and does he get physical around the hoop?
Noah Djibonon Noah Djibonon 6'5" | PF May-Port-C-G | 2027 State ND |6’5 PF| ECI 2027 Gregory
WHY?
He will catch your attention with powerful dunks. Noah will certainly pass the eye test with his size and athleticism. Noah slashes hard with his left and is a physical finisher. He can also space and hit the triple. He should make a difference on D with his paint & rim protection.
Will he flip the switch and dominate at BATL & does he slash/finish with his right hand?
Seth Heidenreich Seth Heidenreich 5'8" | SG Fargo Davies | 2027 State ND |5’8 G| ECI 2027 Froslie
WHY?
He is a southpaw who can make an impact from three-point land. Look for him to get in the paint and make positive plays for ECI . Seth is a hard worker and an unselfish player who knows the game well.
Will he be more aggressive offensively this weekend?
Sullivan Kieffer Sullivan Kieffer 5'11" | CG Rapid City Christian | 2027 State SD |5’10 G| Sanford Sports Academy 2027 White
WHY?
A talented & skilled point guard. Sully is a hard-nosed defender who can shut down the opposing lead guard. Kieffer gives SSA the best chance to win games because he is an all-around baller and a floor general. Kieffer excels as a scorer, passer, rebounder, and defender. He is a servant leader.
How is he scoring the rock this weekend, will he lead SSA White to multiple victories?
Tanner Kratcha Tanner Kratcha 6'5" | PF Sheyenne | 2027 State ND |6’5 F| ECI 2027 Prospects
WHY?
He helped the Prospects go 3-1 last weekend at the Scheels League. Tanner was solid all weekend with scoring, defense, and rebounding. He is a matchup problem for many players his age. Kratcha takes slower BIGs off the bounce, he hits timely 3-pointers, and he will punish smaller guards inside in the paint.
Can he finish through contact and does he settle for fadeaways?