Battle At The Lakes: Max’s Guard Standouts
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Seven of the best guards I saw throughout the weekend at the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes! Cedric Tomes MN #3 PG #2 HEIGHT 6'0" POS PG CLASS 2026 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Cedric Tomes Class…
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Continue ReadingSeven of the best guards I saw throughout the weekend at the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes!
Cedric has lit up the scoreboard with deep threes in other games, but this past weekend it was his facilitating that caught my eye. With some athletic forwards around him, Cedric was racking up assist after assist in pick & rolls. He was able to throw accurate lob passes leading to some explosive dunks, but also had the accuracy to thread the needle with bounce passes through tight gaps. Plays with a change of speed that makes him extremely unpredictable, and with the ability to pull-up from well beyond the arc, he can get his defender jumping with the slightest hesitation.
I’m not sure I’ve seen another guard put up the scoring numbers that Brogan has with the same level of efficiency this spring. He knows his spots on the floor, and defenders just can’t seem to keep him away from them. Against Wisconsin Playmakers he just kept getting downhill with his left hand, and when given the opportunity he rarely misses with it. Defenders know to push him right, but whether it’s a spin move or a quick crossover he just finds ways to get to his left. Knocks down a jumper or too just about every game as well. Defensively he’s one of the scrappiest guards you’ll find who isn’t afraid to get on the floor and fight for a loose ball.
Highlights
Bryce was one of the best shooters I saw all weekend long. The Colorado guard gets great elevation on his shot, and has a consistent release that just shows the amount of reps he gets off in practice. Against Davis Brothers Elite he got into a rhythm where just about every time he touched the ball he was putting three points on the board. With his team trailing Bryce drained four straight 3’s to bring things back level for his team at one point.
Vince Jacob Vince Jacob 6’0″ | SG Totino Grace | 2025 State MN is a nice 3&D type of player for Minnesota Heat Academic. He came in off the bench on Saturday morning and was an immediate spark for his team, picking up a steal and then finding a teammate for an assist. He’s a tough as nails defender who likes to pressure the ball, can pick up full-court on his own, and fights to get over screens in the half-court. On the offensive end he’s a catch-and-shoot threat point threat who isn’t going to take bad shots and keeps the ball moving.
Highlights
This was my first time watching Will play this spring, and he didn’t disappoint. Going up against his old D1 Minnesota team, he was keeping Minnesota Fury in it or the first 16+ minutes with some big makes from beyond the arc. Give him an inch of space and he has a lighting quick release to get off his shot. Can heat up in a hurry with consecutive makes. Showed he can facilitate a bit out of the pick & roll with some nice pocket passes through tight gaps hitting his bigs rolling to the hoop. Helped lead his team to a 3-1 record while playing a tough schedule.
Nathan continued his big spring with Davis Brothers Elite in the game I watched on Saturday. He’s tough as nails attacking the basket, featuring more explosiveness than I initially knew, combined with impressive body control in the air. Ramus was able to hang in the air for some tough finishes in traffic, and showcased a nice pull-up jumper off one or two dribbles. Had a highlight reel chase-down block that showed his hustle on the defensive end. He’s the type of guard who produces on both ends and just doesn’t take plays off.
Highlights
Max is as crafty as they come in Minnesota. Pound for pound he’s arguably the most skilled player in the state, as he does things with the ball that not many other guys can. He excels at weaving in and out of tight spaces, always in full control of the ball. His deep range and quick release allows him to pull-up from three when defenders least expect it, and he can put you on skates when defending him out on an island. So good at creating space off the dribble. He’s just as good off the ball too where he had some clever cuts to open up opportunities to finish at the rim. Helped D1 Minnesota go undefeated in 16u play.