Dakotas Freshman Showcase: Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Frosh Showcase is only days away and we have 13 ballers on our Watchlist!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"13px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:13px"><strong>Date:</strong> 8/30/25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"13px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:13px"><strong>Day:</strong> Saturday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"13px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:13px"><strong>What:</strong> Prep Hoops Dakotas Freshman Showcase</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"13px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:13px"><strong>Where:</strong> Sioux Falls, SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"13px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:13px"><strong>Venue:</strong> Impact Sport Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"13px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:13px"><strong>Time:</strong> 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"13px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:13px"><strong>Who: </strong>Ballers from MN, ND, SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a fun event with intriguing talent. It is always intriguing to see the up-and-coming ballers from across the region. In this piece, we are putting together a watchlist for the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">See below for baller comments and reason to watch...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2954069,"width":"314px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_382319.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_382319.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2954069" style="width:314px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2954070,"width":"314px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_5b667d.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/image_5b667d.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2954070" style="width:314px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2437986' first='Aaron' last='Bruns'] (2029) |5'9 G| Dakota Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a Bruns, that is enough reason to watch right there! Aaron played up in 15U this spring/summer and he played well. I watched him shoot it hot a few times. He has to be one of the best 3-shooters in the 2029 Class. Bruns has sharps handles and he can set up others for good looks. He will show out in Sioux Falls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2411138' first='Beckett' last='Johnson'] (2029) |5'9 G| Oak Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckett has a great future ahead of him.&nbsp;He is a skilled player and a leader. He does not back down from anyone on the hardwood. Johnson applies tenacious ball pressure. On O, he is a PG who sees the floor well. He does good work getting to the basket and is a knockdown shooter when open. He held his own this summer when running with the varsity. Beckett is the ultimate gym rat. Let's see if he can turn heads in Sioux Falls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2434722' first='Brady' last='Kerzmann'] (2029) |6'0 G| Bismarck St. Mary's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He played up an age group for most of club ball. Kerzmann and the BearsTail squad won a ton of games and saw a large amount of success. Brady is a lefty slasher but can also shoot it from deep. He improved his finishing this summer. Let's see what he can do against players his own age. Expecting a quality showing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2489407' first='Cole' last='Martin'] (2029) |5'11 G| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The young Mustang had a very nice spring/summer. The Sheyenne staff is super excited about his potential. Martin is a lethal perimeter shooter. He will no doubt put up points on Saturday. EDC fans need to know Mr. Martin's name.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2636429' first='Cooper' last='Hayes'] (2029) |5'10 G| Ray</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New at Ray, Hayes was a starter at Tioga last season as an 8th grader. As a JH kid playing varsity, Cooper roughly averaged 15.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 5 apg while shooting 32 3FG% and 92 FT%. He is a skilled baller and a cool cat on the court. It will be interesting to see what his role will be with the talented Jays. He should be one of the better guards at this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2915373' first='Cooper' last='Libis'] (2030) |5'9 G| Dell Rapids St. Mary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Younger brother to All-Stater Connor Libis, so the Cards have high hopes. Cooper can really shoot it when he gets going. Libis has a ton of potential and upside. It will be fun to see how he competes against the older players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2721972' first='Dax' last='Wick'] (2029) |5'10 G| Jamestown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Handles, passes, and dribbles well. Wick can get hot from the outside and put up points. Dax is a good defender, let's see if he can lock people up at the event! He plays a large amount of basketball and works on his craft, so his game should keep improving. I am interested to see how he measures up against the top talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2863432' first='Konnor' last='Lorenz'] (2029) | 5'5 G| Central Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid is a walking bucket. Konnor is one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the Dakotas from the 2029 Class. He can shoot the wings of a fly. Lorenz is also dynamically skilled and has a mature feel for the game. We are expecting him to put on a show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2631384' first='Philip' last='Weidner'] (2029) |6'4 F| Beulah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He played varsity last year, so he is an experienced 2029 baller. Weidner played up in club ball with [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom'] and looked tough. Philip will be one of the top BIGs at the event. I will not be surprised if he is the most productive rebounder in the gym; he has a nose for the ball! Weidner is also an efficient finisher. I want to see how he shoots it from 15' and out. Expect the Miner to be a Top Performer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389905' first='Quinn' last='Wells'] (2029) |6'4 G/F| West Fargo Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First things first, you have to like his length. I am interested in seeing his foot speed and lateral quickness. I have been told that Quinn is skilled with the ball on the wing. I have also heard positive reports on him as a shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2400957' first='Tate' last='Sunde'] (2029) |6'0 G| Horace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Cummings is excited about this fledgling Hawk! He is a long wing who can shoot it along with versatility on defense. Expect Sunde to get buckets from all three levels on Saturday. Look for Tate to be aggressive, creative, and productive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2935555' first='Tjay' last='Atar'] (2029) |6'0 F| Moorhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He competes hard on the court. This Spud has a very nice spin move that leads to finishing at the cup. He is good about creating space. Atar is also a solid shooter from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2884049' first='Zander' last='Swenson'] (2029) |5'11 G| Moorhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His game keeps improving. Swenson has gotten much better in the last 24 months. Zander has become a solid all-around ball player. He does not have a big weakness and can do a bit of everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1272514,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->