#PHMadnessInTheMidwest: Max’s Day One Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on day one in Appleton at Prep Hoops Madness In The Midwest!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194439"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68039025eff8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2194439' first='McKhale' last='Wesley'] came in off the bench for All Wisconsin and instantly made an impact with his defense and passing. He's such an explosive athlete, and had the quick burst to jump passes for steals, and then facilitate in the open floor. Timed his passes perfectly for a number of transition assists. Wesley also had the play of the day where he took flight in transition for a powerful and-one dunk right over a defender. He just has that extra burst of explosiveness that not many guys have, and it allowed him to consistently blow by defenders off the dribble and get into the lane to make plays as a facilitator or finisher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68039025effe0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben was racking up assists last night in a big win for his [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] squad. The sophomore out of Farmington showcased a quick burst to get into the lane or come off screens tight, and from there kept his eyes scanning the floor looking for an open man. He showed the ability to fit passes through tight gaps, and was putting them right in his teammates' hands allowing them to go right up with a shot. Ben showcased good change of speed, and seemed to know what he was going to do as soon as the ball came to him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2362161"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68039025f0029"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matthew may not have put up any crazy numbers last night, but it's easy to see why he was already getting big varsity minutes for SLP as a sophomore. At 6'4-6'5 he has such a quick first step, and was able to get by opposing wings with ease off the dribble. From there he was consistently forcing a help-side defender to step up, and could then locate an open teammate. Johnson created so many good looks for his teammates over the course of the game with his drive-and-dish passes. Has the combination of length and athleticism to guard a number of spots defensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2433515"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68039025f006d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kolby was all over the place for [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] last night, making plays on both ends to help lead his team to a comfortable win. The 2027 guard was getting right up on his man defensively, and was able to force a number of turnovers just with his ball pressure. Offensively he was fearless getting to the basket, and did a nice job of playing off of two feet to keep his balance and finish against taller defenders through contact. More than comfortable pulling up from three if you sag off on him as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382314"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68039025f00b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After falling behind early, Kenew helped lead his Gym Class Heroes to a comeback win in the opening game on Friday. The 6'4 small forward combines size, strength, and skill, making him a difficult matchup. He was able to power his way to the basket against smaller wings, but was too fluid off the dribble to be defended by forwards. There were multiple occasions where Kenew was able to go coast-to-coast to finish, comfortably weaving through a number of defenders at 6'4. Can stretch the floor from three, and has impressive body control and touch around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2399891"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68039025f00f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I hadn't seen Nick since his 15u season last summer, and he looks like he's gotten much more agile since then. At 6'4 he was flying by defenders in transition, and was able to beat his man with hard cuts in the half-court. That combination of effort and improved athleticism helped him pick up a handful of high percentage shots right at the rim as he helped lead All Wisconsin to a big win on opening night. Already a two year varsity performer for Green Bay Preble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832081"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68039025f0135"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dkesse put together a strong first half for [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'], including a lay-up right off of the opening tip. The 6'2 wing is a pure slasher who just has a nose for the rim. Whether it was in transition, cutting off the ball, or beating his man off the dribble, Dkesse just found ways to get to the basket. He can elevate to finish right at the rim, or score over size with a floater. His play had [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] in it until the very end against Gym Class Heroes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->