Week Two Review: Top 2025s Tony Saw

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Zay Robinson sidelined and a pair of losses to transfer, the Tigers need Deng to be great on the offensive end, and he was against Waukee Northwest in a battle between the top two ranked teams in 4A on Tuesday night. Deng scored 22 points on 7-12 shooting (8-8 FT) and was in constant attack mode, both in transition and in the halfcourt. His length and athleticism allow him to create some chaos on the defensive end, and also allow him to cover a ton of ground when he's attacking off the bounce. He looks more confident in his jumper from 3-point range as well, which would be a very nice addition to his offensive arsenal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Northern Iowa big man has had a really good start to the season on both ends of the floor, and his two-way impact was on full display against Northwest, scoring 13 points with 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 4 blocks. He provides so much versatility on both ends of the floor with his guard-like skill set offensively and his ability to switch and hold his own defensively. He has great timing as a shot blocker and he does a great job of staying vertical and contesting without fouling. Going up against another formidable shot blocker he didn't have his best shooting night, going 5-13, but that didn't deter him from making a massive impact on the game in a big road win for Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodman was a big-time scorer at Southeast Polk and has taken his penchant for putting the ball in the bucket over to Northwest, where he picked up right where he left off. He has great timing and instincts on the defensive end, jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense in a hurry. He can play with or without the ball in his hands, and showed the ability to change speeds and play with different tempos, keeping his defender off balance and allowing him to get to the rim. A versatile three-level scorer who is capable of getting scorching hot and carrying his team for stretches, Goodman had 21 points on 9-16 shooting (2-4 3P) with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrantes was up to his usual tricks against Pella, scoring 20 points on 10-16 shooting to go with 17 rebounds and 2 blocks. He has a great motor, soft hands, and overwhelming size against most teams, with the Dutch included. The future Illinois-Chicago Flame big man used his size to his advantage, scoring routinely around the rim. He does a great job keeping the ball high after pulling down rebounds, and while he didn't make a 3-pointer, his confidence from his play with [program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United'] throughout the summer has carried into the high school season and he looks smooth with his shot from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='1622174' first='Luke' last='Hellige'] (Holy Trinity Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first time seeing Hellige play live, and he did not disappoint. A 6-5 wing with legit size and shotmaking ability, he dropped 37 points on 12-24 shooting (5-12 3P, 8-9 FT) with 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in the Crusaders loss to West Burlington. He plays with pace, doesn't get sped up, and is able to get his shot off pretty much whenever he wants with his combination of size, footwork, and high release. In addition to his scoring, he sees the floor well and is a talented playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='2397192' first='Adam' last='Sobczak'] (Holy Trinity Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sobczak dished out 10 assists against just two turnovers against a West Burlington team that forces a lot of turnovers with their speed and constant pressure. He does a nice job keeping his dribble going and keeping his eyes up to find open teammates, and he's a creative passer with good instincts. He's not a big scorer, but he gets into the teeth of the defense and gets the defense to collapse, then finds open teammates as well as just about anyone in Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='2397997' first='Quincy' last='Collins'] (West Burlington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins was fantastic in the Falcons' win over Holy Trinity, using his explosive athleticism and toughness to routinely get to the rim for finishes. He's a tough wing who loves to attack the rim off the dribble, using his quick first step and improved handles to get to the bucket, where he absorbs contact and finishes through it. He has an explosive second leap that he uses to control the glass on both ends of the floor as well. He finished with 23 points on 10-11 shooting (3-3 FT) with 6 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1381425' first='Mason' last='Watkins'] (West Burlington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins had a quiet first half in the Falcons win over Holy Trinity but was really good in the second half, finishing with 19 points on 5-12 shooting (2-5 3P, 7-8 FT), 3 rebounds, and 6 assists. The future North Florida guard plays with pace, is a skilled playmaker who sees the floor well and doesn't get sped up. He's a pure shooter with picturesque form and he gets into his shot in the blink of an eye off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->