Notes: Team 1 vs. Team 2 #PHExpoSD

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"11px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:11px"><strong><em>USE CODE “herrick30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100","fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px;font-style:normal;font-weight:100">The Prep Hoops Expo was held on 10/13/24 at the beautiful Impact Sports Center in Sioux Falls, SD. It was an entertaining day of basketball!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Expo started with 3v3 games and then moved into 5v5 games. The next few articles we write will focus on the 5v5 games from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">See below for Player Notes on&nbsp;<strong>13 ballers</strong>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<strong>Team 1</strong>&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;<strong>Team 2</strong>&nbsp;matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2622037,"width":"325px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_5dbceb.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_5dbceb.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2622037" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2622039,"width":"325px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_f7cbf3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_f7cbf3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2622039" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#436 [player_tooltip player_id='2431369' first='Abel' last='Alemayehu'] (2025) 6'8 Sioux Falls Roosevelt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Highly impressed with this BIG, if he was playing in Class B he would be one of the best in SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Crushed on the O-boards &amp; scored many second-chance points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Easy rebounds over smaller players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed his shooting ability by cashing in a 3ball from the right wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Ran the floor well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Athletic Slam Dunk</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The large lefty drew fouls &amp; got to the charity stripe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Low post scores, used size to his advantage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with his ability to finish with both hands</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#405 [player_tooltip player_id='1407010' first='Aidan' last='Hamm'] (2025) 5'10 Beresford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Another kid that played hard &amp; hustled</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-O-board tip-in</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Crisp &amp; accurate pass to find the roller on the way to the rim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sank a three-pointer with a soft shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Another triple, hand in face, no problem for Hamm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Unselfish passer, good/sharp awareness</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Attacked the hoop, jump stop, head fake, D jumped, drew foul</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I like that he played off 2 feet in the paint </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#407 [player_tooltip player_id='2080607' first='Ashton' last='Paulsen'] (2026) 6'0 St. Thomas More </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hustler who plays hard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Spaced the floor &amp; hit 3-pointers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Crafty player with skill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed his playmaking with a nifty reverse layup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He &amp; Glyten will make for a tough one-two punch for the Cavaliers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#419 [player_tooltip player_id='2475727' first='Aksel' last='Ehlers'] (2025) 6'4 Lyman </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Played very well in 3v3 games</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tough matchup with his length, mobility, and scoring talent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Slash-n-score, lay-in bucket with a defender on his hip</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Several offensive rebounds to give his team 2nd chance opportunities</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Straight line slash-n-score from the right wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sweet assist/pass in the uptempo game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sick pull-up jumper from 16-feet, tough shot for the talented player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I have a feeling that Ehlers will be great in Class B this winter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#393 [player_tooltip player_id='1842419' first='Braylon' last='Little'] (2026) 6'1 Mahpiya Luta</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Played fast &amp; moved the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Crafty/skilled/clever with the rock</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Excellent find in transition to a streaking Graff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Acrobatic finish at the hoop </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#430 Dirk Brink (2026) 6'4 Sheldon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked like an aware &amp; unselfish passer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Drilled a kick-out triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Threw an amazing bounce pass from halfcourt, led his teammate perfectly, w/ exact amount of touch needed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sees the floor well, IDK how he even saw the man open on that bounce pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#383 [player_tooltip player_id='2620787' first='George' last='Gayetaye'] (2025) 5'8 Sioux Falls Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Had one of the best performances at the event</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Quick &amp; speedy fast baller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Did not shoot it much from deep but he did hit a 3 from extended range</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Pesky on D, created multiple turnovers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with his quick first step</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Defenders could not keep in front, got to the line for freebies</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Not all flash, had some nice post entries &amp; found shooters</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Baseline slash, scored at the rim with a BIG in his face, he must have great concentration</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Razor-sharp handles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Awesome hockey assist, came off PNR, swung it to the wing, teammate hit the roller for a score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Deep paint penetration, jump stop, pivot to manipulate the D, step-through, lefty kiss off the window for 2pts</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Blow by drive with a lightning-quick 1st step, lefty finish with the D in his grill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#437 [player_tooltip player_id='1535886' first='Nick' last='Hanson'] (2025) 6'8 Viborg-Hurley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-BIG Nick took over at one point in this game, DOMINATED</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Multiple AND1 buckets</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Dropped some nice assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Catch 1-dribble, used his length to score at the cup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-PNR, roll, catch, finish at the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Aggressive cut-n-score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Transition bucket, the BIG man can run</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Powerful 2-handed WHAM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Post up, 1 dribble, fall-away J for 2pts</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Highly productive on the glass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Paint protector </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#398 [player_tooltip player_id='1441395' first='Nyun' last='Dut'] (2025) 6'4 O'Gorman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the top athletes at the event for sure</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Cashed is a long-range triple in the game I watched</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Covers a large amount of ground when slashing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Also has a nice mid-range pull-up game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#391 [player_tooltip player_id='1641210' first='Parker' last='Graff'] (2026) 6'0 Wessington Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looks longer, leaner, more athletic &amp; faster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lefty shooter but also a playmaker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Flew up and down the court in transition</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Fancy footwork when finishing in traffic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Baseline gash, got to the rim, finger-roll finish</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Another athletic score in transition</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#416 [player_tooltip player_id='1959422' first='Sam' last='Uhing'] (2026) 6'2 Sioux Falls Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Noteworthy court vision &amp; passing ability</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Made smart inside-out passes instead of forcing shots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed off the stroke with a left-wing triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Drove down the middle of the lane, used body to protect the rock, drew foul &amp; got to the line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Clever player that did not try to do too much but easy to see that he is talented</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#406 Sami Mekuria (2026) 6'0 Sioux Falls Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Big/thick/strong player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hit multiple triples in this game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Left corner 3ball, shooters touch bounce to get it to drop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Another 3, left coffin corner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Catch-n-shoot 3-pointer from the right wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#411 [player_tooltip player_id='2247647' first='Tate' last='Sorensen'] (2026) 6'2 Freeman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shot it well in 3v3, showed more of his well-rounded game in 5v5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Strong post up, right shoulder spin, soft lefty shot/score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Physical score at the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Offensive rebounds that led to second chance points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2622092,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_64104b.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_64104b.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2622092" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->