Prep Hoops Expo: Team 5 Evaluations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evaluating every player from Team 5 at Iowa's Prep Hoops Expo on October 4 in Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/the-iowa-expo-eliots-first-team-all-expo/">The Iowa Expo: Eliot's First Team All-Expo</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2822731"],"_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-68e3e3d24b92f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small guard out of Waukee Northwest, [player_tooltip player_id='2822731' first='Liam' last='Berger'] is still developing with one of the better programs in the state. He may not have seen time on varsity last season for the Wolves, but he showed some encouraging things on Saturday. An engaged defender who will intelligently swipe at a ball-handler and help poke the ball away, Berger was able to get transition started for his team with a steal and a good outlet pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2892697"],"_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-68e3e3d24b9cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more vocal players for his team in Des Moines, [player_tooltip player_id='2892697' first='Braylon' last='Kling'] is a quick guard that showed effort in communicating with his teammates and emphasizing the press when his team was clawing back into one of their early games. As the starting point guard for Team 5, Kling wasn't turnover prone and kept the ball moving for his squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2408383"],"_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-68e3e3d24ba4c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the better performing guards at Saturday's event, it was a bit of a surprise to see [player_tooltip player_id='2408383' first='Gavin' last='Chappell'] wasn't on varsity for Clear Lake last winter as a freshman. A confident point guard with good handle and that can make open shots on the perimeter, Chappell was one of the better passers in Des Moines. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A combo guard that consistently plays with high effort and doesn't make mistakes, Chappell is a solid point guard that will do the right things as the quarterback of the offense and give you effort defensively. The Lions will be smart to elevate him and get him on the court this season for their varsity squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2414176"],"_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-68e3e3d24bac9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A standout as a defender on Saturday, [player_tooltip player_id='2414176' first='Shaun' last='Heidt'] of Waverly-Shell Rock made it clear that he's a switchable defender that can handle guards and be physical with bigs. Not intimidated by the size of some of the forwards in attendance this weekend, Heidt was willing to switch in the pick-and-roll, and he used his length effectively as a defender. Heidt also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. After losing eight seniors to graduation, Heidt should be a fixture in the rotation for the Go-Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2617475"],"_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-68e3e3d24bb40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming up just shy of my First-Team All-Expo, [player_tooltip player_id='2617475' first='Blake' last='Ritze'] was one of the best bigs in attendance in Des Moines. A forward that has grown two inches within the last year, Ritze has maintained a solid skill set that allows him to use his footwork and size near the paint, but he can also step out and shoot it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A modern big, Ritze can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, but he is also a spot-up shooter on the perimeter that forces defenses to spread out and account for him on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a defender, he uses his length and court awareness to help when a teammate gets beat to the rim, and he can swat away shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2979803"],"_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-68e3e3d24bbb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mr. Iso-Ball from the weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='2979803' first='Isaiah' last='Slaughter'] is a hooper that can get a bucket at any time, and that's exactly why he earned a spot on my First-Team All-Expo. Though Team 5 as a whole often struggled to keep up with the squads they faced in the five-on-five, Slaughter did just about everything he could to keep his team in it. Able to score in a variety of ways, the 6'1" combo guard created for himself on the perimeter, could finish with either hand at the rim and launched a few threes from the corner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just when it appeared like Slaughter's hot streak would end, he continued to make tough shots. He could get almost anything he wanted at any time for Team 5 offensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2523890"],"_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-68e3e3d24bc23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small-school, 6-foot-4 power forward, [player_tooltip player_id='2523890' first='Carson' last='Schaecher'] looked more comfortable on the perimeter than he did on the inside. A shooter with a quick, unique release, Schaecher made quite a few threes on the afternoon. So, as the old adage goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Of course, given his size, Schaecher could benefit from adding some weight and working on his post moves, but, for now, he'll be best off continuing to shoot from the outside, as that's the best part of his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additionally, Schaecher is solid in transition, willing to get out and run, and he can finish with either hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2978680"],"_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-68e3e3d24bc9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6-foot-5 post, [player_tooltip player_id='2978680' first='Kemontae' last='Friedl']'s best attribute is his length and bounciness. With active hands defensively and avoiding racking up fouls, he could be an impact big for Eagle Grove this fall. In the western part of the state, he'll be one of the bigger players on the floor, and as long as he plays under control, he'll have the ability to grab board after board and disrupt layup attempts around the rim with his length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->