Battle At The Lakes: 17U-16U South Dakota Stock-Risers

Prep Hoops Battle At The Lakes was well represented by top South Dakota programs. At the tournament, Prep Hoops Dakotas was able to really dial in on the South Dakota 17U-16U prospects. I was stationed at Wayzata High School where the top 17U-16U programs played throughout the weekend. The South Dakota teams performed well and advanced deep into the tournament. That, in turn, brought on a ton of stock-risers in the 17U-16U divisions. This first exercise is only based on the teams I saw live. We will mention more prospects as we get deeper into the film.   Of note, if a prospect has already been mentioned a couple times from the tournament, they may just get a mention here without much elaboration.   Teams I saw at Wayzata High School:   [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] 17U   [program_tooltip program_id='2250291' first='Hoop' last='City South Dakota'] 17U   [program_tooltip program_id='2250291' first='Hoop' last='City South Dakota'] Elite   [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy SF'] 17U Black   [program_tooltip program_id='2832803' first='Impact' last=''] 17U-1   [program_tooltip program_id='2250291' first='Hoop' last='City South Dakota'] - Martin-16U-1   [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy SF'] 16U Black   [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] 16U Warner   Impact 16U-1    Uhing looked really good at Battle At The Lakes. I saw [program_tooltip program_id='2832803' first='Impact' last='']'s Friday game on BallerTV and I also saw them live once more after that. He showed a dynamic offensive game I've never seen from him. He made defensive plays on the ball and got out in transition and finished at the hoop at a consistent rate. He looked fast and explosive when he got running up the court. His ball-handling looked very good and he can make threes and get hot from there. He's not just a catch-and-shoot shooter, he can create his own three and midranger. He was just moved up the rankings prior to the event, but I think he's made a case to climb even higher.     Unzen made 16U all-tournament team, so he obviously looked good. He was a clutch gamer.     Carter has looked really good at the Prep Hoops tournaments. Has shown a ton of offensive progression. Top 10 2027 prospect.     Colton played kind of all over the place offensively. He was fine on the perimeter as a passer and he's able to cleanly handle the ball. He'll take a three and needs to be guarded from there. I really think he did favors for himself this past weekend. He made 17U all-tournament team.     Weber made 17U all-tournament team. Showed versatility and looked way better in the paint and battled for the ball like I've never seen. Played with toughness.     Hansen didn't blow up at the tournament, but he played a solid game. Handled the ball without turnovers and made his threes when he was given time and space. He looked pretty long too.     Haley made a case for being a top 20 prospect, and the second-ranked point guard in the 2026 class behind Gerdes. He showed he can change his offensive approach from game-to-game depending on matchups and game-flow. He could always dish out the ball to teammates, but he can score the rock if he's set on that.     Evaluation in the 17U all-tournament article. He was a warrior.     Hudson has been continually improving his stock and he was a factor for [program_tooltip program_id='2832803' first='Impact' last=''] 16U-1. Looked really quick and could accelerate with the ball. Can be a playmaking passer and score and shoot the ball. He has surprised me a lot.     Duffy has came a long ways. He can now compete against legitimate competition and be an offensive factor and scorer. Has always been a 3-point threat, but his transition play was impressive. Looked fast with the ball.     Jaxson was aggressive offensively in the two games I saw. Can shoot the ball at a high-level and really didn't make mistakes with the ball.     I haven't seen Kuai ever play this well. He benefited from [player_tooltip player_id='1959440' first='Kuek' last='Kuek'] being sidelined from the tournament with a hand injury. Mayen looked fast and explosive attacking the rim. He was set on being an offensive threat.     In the past I wasn't sure if Kolte was a college prospect. But I think he has proven himself to be so far this offseason. Doesn't have elite size, but he plays really smart and really hard. A great post defender that uses his body well. Passes well and finishes his opportunities at the hoop. He's very valuable to the Impact 17U-1 team.     Marv proved himself versus against legitimate competition. 35 points versus D1 Minnesota 16U 3SSB, a team filled with D1/D2 prospects. He only helped and proved himself this past weekend.     Ellwein also performed well and really turned things on later in the tournament. It's definitely a heated battle for the #1 spot in the 2026 class and both Richard III and Ellwein proved themselves against top competition.     17U all-tournament team selection     He blew up at the tournament and shot the three at a high and consistent level.     Killed it at the tournament. 2027 rankings upcoming.     Good 3-point shooter was confirmed at Battle At The Lakes.

Prep Hoops Battle At The Lakes was well represented by top South Dakota programs. At the tournament, Prep Hoops Dakotas was able to really dial in on the South Dakota 17U-16U prospects. I was stationed at Wayzata High School where the top 17U-16U programs played throughout the weekend.

The South Dakota teams performed well and advanced deep into the tournament. That, in turn, brought on a ton of stock-risers in the 17U-16U divisions. This first exercise is only based on the teams I saw live. We will mention more prospects as we get deeper into the film.