Battle at the Lakes Day 1: 16U Top Performers at Hopkins

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Battle at the Lakes tournament showcased some of the top AAU programs across the Midwest. I set up at Hopkins for the weekend and had the chance to watch some high-level talent across both the 16U and 15U. Here are some of the top 16U performers that stood out from the rest on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2437660,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2393392' first='Cole' last=''] Tousignant","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Belle Plaine","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2075709' first='MN' last='Swish']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='2393392' first='Cole' last=''] Tousignant created his own shot off the dribble, catching fire from 3 to spark some runs for his [program_tooltip program_id='2075709' first='MN' last='Swish'] 16U squad. The strong jump shot forced the defense to play out on him, opening up the paint. Tousignant did a good job making decisions getting near the basket, choosing the right time to go up with it himself or kick it out to an open shooter. The multi-level scoring really spaced out the floor for his [program_tooltip program_id='2075709' first='MN' last='Swish'] squad. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1560869"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":2437663,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBanyaan Omot plays light on his feet, and his long arms allow him to guard 1-5 if a screen forces a switch. Omot's length allowed for him to have multiple coast-to-coast takes all the way to the basket where he rose above a defender for an easy layup. Omot had a great game Saturday, and he has all the tools to be a great 3 and D player. He can also be a huge momentum shifter if he has an open break for a powerful dunk.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2391547"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":2437670,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2391547' first='Nicholas' last='Keenan'] played a very solid game Saturday up until there was about three and a half minutes left. He played at a different level those last few minutes. His 16U Crossfire team struggled to get anything to fall for a majority of the game. However, after mounting a strong comeback from once being down 15, Keenan's game elevated. He hit multiple 3's, including a buzzer beating game winner, and moved his feet well on defense to prevent any easy looks.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2423280"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBrecken Heiling played high-level defense every time down the floor. He showcased impressive lateral quickness that allowed him to stay in front of whoever he was guarding. Heiling picked up at half-court and did not shy away from contact. On the offensive end he was constantly moving and cutting to the basket, resulting in a few easy layups.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2381765"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJaxson Binnicker was all over the floor for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075702' first='MN' last='Lightning'] on Saturday. He had play after play, contributing one way or another. Binnicker scored from inside the paint and behind the arc, but he was more impressive on defense. He always had a view of the ball and his man, not letting anyone get an easy bucket. It seemed like on almost every Rise drive to the basket, he was there contesting the shot.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66403ce79e363"} /-->