Friday Night Fabulous #PHHardWorkFinals

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Plymouth, MN -</strong> The Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals tipped off tonight across the Minneapolis Metro and it was a fun start to a great weekend of basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Dakotas watched two <strong>17U</strong> games tonight at Wayzata High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:200">See below for the ballers who looked fabulous on opening night at the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD has notes on <strong>16 players</strong> from <strong>Minnesota &amp; North Dakota</strong></span>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2481960,"width":"250px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/image_8d0656.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/image_8d0656.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2481960" style="width:250px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2302277,"width":"250px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2302277" style="width:250px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Friday Night Fabulous</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615834' first='Aiden' last='Westgard'] (2025) |6'2 G| Bismarck Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Three-pointer via a kickout from Gilman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Spots up well for 3-pointers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hustler, he was all over the court going after the rock</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed his strength &amp; muscle with an inside finish</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Frustrating defender, he is not afraid of getting in the opponent's face</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1189438' first='Carson' last='Busek'] (2025) |5'11 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2135832' first='Next' last='Level Basketball Academy']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Catch-n-shoot three-pointer to get NLBA on the board</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Beat the primary defender off the dribble, help stepped up, kickout-pass to Ajeo for 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lefty who is known as a shooter, he will need to be accounted for this winter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574224' first='Colton' last='Kazmierkoski'] (2025) |6'4 F| [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] Bertsch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Several strong slash-n-scores</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Versatile player, does it on both ends</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Creative going downhill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed his athleticism with a transition WHAM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sweet baseline jump shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Beat the D, high-arcing floater, AND1 bucket</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Weaved through traffic, easy score at the cup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Transition finish, inside hand score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Knows when to attack &amp; when to move the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I like his feel/skill/flow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2422065' first='Drew' last='Kolander'] (2025) |6' F| [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] Bertsch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-3-ball to start all of the scoring</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Long 3-level scorer </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Early O-board &amp; putback</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Dominant in the 1st half</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Poke out steal with his long arms</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tough D in the paint</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Physical &amp; strong</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No problem moving smaller players out of his way</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2129360' first='Gilman' last='Sheldon'] (2025) |6'2 SF| [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom']-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Finished with 24 points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He was the MVP of the game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Did a bit of everything</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with his strength</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Several offensive rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Blocked shots, contested &amp; altered others</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-O-board putback, perfect timing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Kickout pass for a 3-pointer, crisp pass, good vision</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Had a wide-open 3, didn't take it, attacked, drew help, easy dime to Xavier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Unselfish &amp; smart</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-3ball left corner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Attacking-score, AND1 finish</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Soft floater bucket, kissed it off the glass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught, ripped, floater score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Played hard &amp; never backed down</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Resilient baller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Stock Riser</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2429700' first='Grant' last='Evans'] (2025) |6'3 G| MN Heat Taylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Finished with 18 points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Long wing/playmaker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A legit threat from deep, drilled multiple triples</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed his body control &amp; concentration with an AND1 finish </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-3-ball left wing, soft shooters touch roll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good handles, I like his double-moves</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Noteworthy fake-crossover </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1477112' first='Isaac' last='Beauchamp'] (2025) |6'1 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2135832' first='Next' last='Level Basketball Academy']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Space-n-shoot triple in transition, spaced to corner &amp; cashed in</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sprinted the floor, looked to like WR on a GO-route, nice catch-n-finish </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good skill, able to create-n-slash against bigger and more athletic defenders</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592856' first='Jackson' last='Driessen'] (2025) |6'2 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] Bertsch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-12/16 from beyond the arc, IDK if I have seen a better shooting display this club season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He was unconscious from beyond the arc!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Deep range, lethal in the catch-n-shoot game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Moved well without the ball, had zero problem getting open</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hit shots from all around the arc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-An aggressive rebounder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-HOT HOT HOT shooter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I had to double-check that the net was not smoking from all the shots he hit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267784' first='Jayger' last='Meschke'] (2025) |5'9 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom']-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Not the biggest player on the court but he goes hard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Slim player but plays with heart &amp; NRG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Multiple offensive boards, reads the ball well off the rim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Took a charge on D</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Blocked a shot vs. a bigger player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Multiple crafty scores</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Creative slash-n-finish </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Slash down broadway, scoop-n-score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a sweet floater/runner game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-PESKY!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1465341' first='Joseph' last='Gomez'] (2025) |5'8 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2135832' first='Next' last='Level Basketball Academy']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lefty who is moving across the Red River to Breckenridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Crafty &amp; battled against bigger &amp; superior athletes </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Slash-n-score, short baseline J, knows when to pull-up short instead of force vs. bigger guys</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed off the ability to stroke the 3-ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Delivered a crisp diagonal pass to a teammate for 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good ball skills, handled the pressure</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Creative slash-n-score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Nice kickout pass in transition that resulted with a triple </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I liked his vision when slashing, eyes are up &amp; he found the shooters</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-3/4 court dime to Beauchamp, perfect touch &amp; timing on that pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Deep drive, pivoted, created space, fall-away lefty J, nice</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2447451' first='Marvale' last='Murphy'] (2026) |6'4 F| [program_tooltip program_id='2135832' first='Next' last='Level Basketball Academy']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Played up an age group with the 25's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Very athletic, got up nicely on the jump ball to win it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-BOUNCY, threw down some impressive dunks in warmups</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The opponents got nothing easy around the hoop when he was protecting the paint, made them earn it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No soft fouls around the hoop, not cheap just played hard &amp; physical </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Steal, transition score, intriguing hang time </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Blocked &amp; contested shots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Spuds have to be excited about his size &amp; mobility</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2422769' first='Mo' last='Jalloh'] (2025) |6'2 F| MN Heat Taylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Finished with 18 points, seemed like more</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Physical &amp; gifted athlete, many scores around the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Killed it on the offensive glass, multiple 2nd chance points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed quick reactions on D when picking off a pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Strong like bull</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Transition score, nice floater in traffic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Knocked down the D with his strength &amp; physicality </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Another strong interior finish</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-D-rebound, coast-to-coast score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Post-up, feel the D, soft baby hook bucket to tie the score at 59</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-O-board putback bucket in OT to take the lead</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1436459' first='Nathan' last='Johnson'] (2025) |6'5 F| [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] Bertsch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Offensive rebound tip-in</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great timing &amp; elevation</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-More O-boards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Blocked shot, quality athleticism </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a sweet spin-move in the paint</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Scored on the block &amp; via the slash</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617797' first='Soren' last='Leafblad'] (2025) |5'9 G| Northstar Titan Bertsch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I saw right away in warmups that he was a shooter, went around the world &amp; hardly missed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Cashed in many triples throughout the game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He got smoking hot in the 2nd half </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Moves well without the ball &amp; knows how to get to his spots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Love how he does the work b4 he gets the ball &amp; is ready to pull the trigger</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Soft &amp; accurate release/shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Very impressed with how he drifted corner when reacting to the D, good feet &amp; recognition </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2429709' first='Teegan' last='Bartok'] (2025) |6'2 G| MN Heat Taylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Slash-n-score early, navigated through traffic nicely </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Multiple easy finishes, elevated to the rim well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a nice hesi-move to shake the D</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-O-board putback bucket</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1167614' first='Xavier' last='Ames'] (2025) |6'8 F| [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom']-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Strong inside score, used his size well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lefty on-the-block bucket, took the hit &amp; finished</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hit a 3-pointer early in the second half</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Easy score on the block, unselfish pass from Sheldon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lefty AND1 score in OT, old school 3-pt play, great find by [player_tooltip player_id='1632649' first='Hayden' last='Seay']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-His last bucket was enough for the Phenom overtime win!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1518701,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/hardworkregionfinals-2-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/hardworkregionfinals-2-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1518701" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->