Battle At The Lakes: SD 17U Stock-Risers & Evaluations

Prep Hoops Dakotas got busy in the film room the past few days to watch the teams that we were not able to see live at Prep Hoops Battle At The Lakes. This article is the result of watching the film from the 17U group that were not in the top pools. We have stock-risers and evaluations for prospects from Impact 17U and [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy SF'] 17U White.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stock-Risers</h2>    Schoenfeld may be the biggest surprise to me so far this offseason. I saw him on film in the past, but he didn't play like he's playing now. His upcoming ranking on Monday May 19th will shock people. His ceiling is incredibly high. More analysis coming on Monday.     The entire Impact 17U top team is improving their stocks, and that includes Jibben. They are a new team that hadn't played together before the offseason began, but they are clicking at a ridiculous level. They might be my favorite team to watch, when it comes to camaraderie, sharing the ball, moving the ball, and making team-first plays. It's honestly quite a joy to see and a very rare occurrence in AAU ball. Well, for Jibben, he's clicking individually as well, showing solid skill with the ball and 3-point shot-making.     Cuperus has been much better this offseason for [program_tooltip program_id='2832803' first='Impact' last=''] than I thought he would be. Given his overall size and stronger-looking and thick frame, he runs extremely well up and down the court. Finishes well at the hoop. Gets the ball up on the glass for a finish before defensive hands can get there to block or contest. Boxes out and rebounds the ball.     I'm not sure if James has been mentioned on the site. He's a solid 2-guard for [program_tooltip program_id='2832803' first='Impact' last='']'s second 17U team. His stock is up from his current #111 ranking. He doesn't excel or set himself apart in any area, but he doesn't have any poor or underdeveloped skills and traits, either. Solid and strong frame — moves well on the court with some quickness — can score off the drive — can make an open three — defends with quick feet and technique — runs the floor consistently and doesn't take plays off — overall a steady and winning 2-guard that normally will only help the team.     Casey brings a lot of energy and effort for Sanford 17U White. You can tell that he cares and that he's set on making any type of play for his team to win. Plays fast and great overall quickness on the court. He's always looking for open teammates to get them looks and scoring opportunities. Though a guard, he will get his nose in the paint and compete for the ball. A good rebounder for a guard and gets up off the ground for the ball. He doesn't let it fall in his lap, he attacks it. He's an aggressive on-ball and help/team defender. He'll pressure a ball-handler as soon as the ball is entered.   Offensively, he will take and make a three, but he has an unorthodox release where he doesn't finish the extension of the follow through. He definitely needs to be guarded from three, because his chances of making go way up when he can get his shot set and lined up.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prospect Evaluations</h2>    Wesley isn't the major scoring weapon against some of these solid AAU teams like he is in class B basketball in South Dakota. But I still like what he's able to do and he did some really nice things on the court. His passing stood out and surprised me some. His playmaking passing was impressive and good to see. He made some ridiculous and long passes up the court that were on the money, hitting teammates in stride. He handled the ball well in the half court and on the move in transition. Wittler's defensive playmaking was a bright-spot as well. He made plays on the ball and made plays on passes in the air. I don't think Wittler rises up the rankings, but he still impressed and showed he can be more than a scorer against good competition.     Ashton served as a leader and was counted on to score the ball by [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy SF'] 17U White. He flashed offensive capabilities and individual shot-making that I hadn't seen from him before. His role for St. Thomas More was not quite like his role was at Battle At The Lakes. He still scored for St. Thomas More, but it just seems like he had to go out there and have a scoring and shooting mindset this past weekend. He would be higher up the rankings board if he had a little more overall control and pace as a ball-handler. He seems a little too sped-up at times and it seems like defensive pressure gets him off of his spot and desired spot. That can be corrected, and if he's able to fix that to combine with his shot-making, he could become a nice overall point guard prospect.     Runestad was uber-aggressive in attacking from the point guard spot off the dribble. When he possessed the ball and brought it up the court, he was looking to attach the paint and rim consistently and relentlessly without hesitation.

Prep Hoops Dakotas got busy in the film room the past few days to watch the teams that we were not able to see live at Prep Hoops Battle At The Lakes. This article is the result of watching the film from the 17U group that were not in the top pools. We have stock-risers and evaluations for prospects from Impact 17U and Sanford Sports Academy SF 17U White.