The Last Dance: The Sunday Standouts

Another group of standouts from last weekend's Last Dance in Chicago!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Steinke Deserves a Look</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1574219' first='Kyle' last='Steinke'] was a 16u player/high school junior that teams had a lot of trouble dealing with around the basket. Kyle's had face up skill but most of what we had been able to see was what Kyle did as a ball screening frontcourt smart player.   What we've seen this summer has been a great advancement in the game of the 6'6 forward from Mankato West. And with that, we've seen a high level of consistency from Kyle helping his Select team remain a top three 17u teams in state.   Right now Kyle is one of the best face-up forwards in the state. This isn't a here and there situation, Kyle has been a stretch four hitting multiple threes each game with Select, in the MBCA Camp, and with the Scarlets. His 25 point game against the Lightning to open the summer set the tone and last weekend in Chicago, Steinke missed one shot total in the two games I charted for his team and likely shot over 75 percent for the weekend. He was a perfect six of six from the field in the six point Mac Irvin Fire win and his second half scoring attacking the rim kept his team in the game against Meanstreets.   If you are looking for a player to play the four for your college program, and being physically and mentally ready from day one, I would have a look at [player_tooltip player_id='1574219' first='Kyle' last='Steinke'].   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Introducing [player_tooltip player_id='1454840' first='Nicklaus' last='Hein']</h2>   One of my favorite parts of covering an event in spring/summer basketball is finding a random game that may not have a lot of attendees, taking it in, looking for a story, and finding a player doing something awesome!   Enter [player_tooltip player_id='1454840' first='Nicklaus' last='Hein'] from Wayzata High School.   Hein is a 6'3 guard that will be a senior next season. He was a junior varsity player for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075965' first='Trojans' last=''] last year but as we all know, Wayzata's JV is full of quality players that go from JV as juniors, to good players on the varsity as a senior. Hein might be that next guy.   Hein plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] Leo team that has had a very nice summer so far.   Sunday afternoon as I sat down to check out the Heat I noticed a player verbalizing defensive commands and actively working to defensive spots. I looked down, it said Wayzata, and I thought "makes sense".   Then he took a charge. Then Hein hit a three. Time to get a video of the kid on social media! But then Hein hit another three, and another, and another, and another! He was being face guarded but was still moving off the ball and using screens to get space to hit shots. The defense continued as well and Heat had a lead on their Illinois opponent. As Hein sat down after a long half, he spent the next three minutes encouraging his team from the bench.   All good signs. But was this just a one game wonder or was it over time?   Hein finished that game with 23 points helping his team to a one score win, but he also had a 16 point, 10 rebound double double in another game, a 15 point showing in another game, and a 17 point performance in another contest.   That's not a one game wonder, that's a full weekend of great basketball! Look out for Hein with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075965' first='Trojans' last=''] next year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Dynamic Duo</h2>   The NEBC kids from Philly had another successful trip to Chicago. Last May they traveled to Chicago and beat the Wisconsin Crusaders and North Dakota Phenom, an impressive showing. This past weekend they 3-1 in Chicago and the one loss was a forfeit because of travel issues.   6'4 guard Miles White has been on a scoring terror, and he's one of the prospects that I have been most encouraged about. His shooting form and touch are what you look for and his quick attack off the bounce and ability to take contact and complete a play has led to some massive scoring games in 17u. Watching him both live and in person, I feel like White is a player that we will seeing division one basketball at some point so schools may as well jump in sooner than later to get to know him.   White pairs with six foot 2025 guard Shamar Parker. Last weekend he went at Full Package for a 24 point, 12 assist game in another victory. He had his playmaking hand in about 60 percent of the NEBC scores as they won by 19 points. Parker is a lefty that gets to the corner turn consistently and when players try and catch up, his shoulder dip into a score is something they aren't ready for on that left side. And by the time they figure it out.... Parker has another set of plays made and his team is up double figures.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Two to Watch from Select Koch</h2>   A pair of [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] players that I feel like are about to take a step forward and having big number senior years are [player_tooltip player_id='2103401' first='Jake' last='Dedominces'] (Irondale) and Emerson Droubie (Cambridge). The pair combined for 30 points for Select in a Sunday win over Minnesota Rise.   Dedominces is a player that has a great touch and knack for creating separation. Last year he scored 22.5 points a game scoring on 45 percent of his field goals, 85 percent of his foul shots and over a third of his triples despite getting all the defensive attention. And this 17u season he has been a go to backcourt option for Select Koch.   As for Droubie, he is a 6'5 skilled forward that not only scored 15 points but his activity on the glass, moving off the ball screens on defense, and moving with size around the court at the four greatly slowed the opposing option he was defending.   Both players are looking at big Senior seasons.

Another group of standouts from last weekend's Last Dance in Chicago!