Prep Hoops Expo: Team 6 Evaluations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evaluating every player from Team 6 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/prep-hoops-expo-team-5-evaluations/">Prep Hoops Expo: Team 5 Evaluations</a></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":["2416409"],"_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-68e3e74c74451"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another one of the top guards at Saturday's event, [player_tooltip player_id='2416409' first='Keaton' last='Emerson'] was as solid as they come, making plays that were there for him, creating for others and not turning the ball over. A good handle that allowed his team to possess the rock and be undeterred by solid defense, is what lead guards are made of at places like West Delaware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He could also shoot the rock. With a high release on his jumper and the ability to get it off above the out-reached hand of opposing defenders, Emerson has a chance to be one of the more consistent players for the Hawks this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2377642"],"_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-68e3e74c74528"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another underclassmen guard on the rise for Clear Lake in addition to [player_tooltip player_id='2408383' first='Gavin' last='Chappell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2377642' first='Carson' last='Riser'] showed some flashes of being a solid role player for the Lions this upcoming season. With a smooth stroke and a confident release from beyond the three-point line, Riser has potential to be a knockdown shooter from outside this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With quick feet, he'll also bean asset as a defender, taking on other opposing guards that want to attack the basket and get shots off on the outside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2420800"],"_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-68e3e74c745d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of, if not the best shooters at Saturday's event, [player_tooltip player_id='2420800' first='Zion' last='Cook-Berns'] lit it up from deep almost any change he got. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Listed as a point guard, Cook-Berns may need to lobby to get that changed to shooting guard, as he looked <em>automatic</em> from three in Des Moines. With a quick release and looking to launch basically any time he got a touch, Cook-Berns shot just under 32% from three last season for Waterloo West, but he's clearly been working on his jumper this offseason. Look for him to be among the leading scorers again for the WaHawks this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1978137"],"_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-68e3e74c7467a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A long guard that's good in transition and likes to get out and run, [player_tooltip player_id='1978137' first='Greg' last='Ford'] has potential to be one of the better rim-attackers for Iowa City West this fall. With a quick first step and attack-first mentality, Ford likes to get to the rim and finish as much as he can. A fast guard with long arms, Ford's effort is never in question.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can also serve as a shooter off-ball, if he's not the primary ball-handler for his team. He shouldn't be called a "corner three merchant" or anything like that, but if he's left open in the corner he'll knock down shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2523886"],"_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-68e3e74c74720"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Probably the biggest name at Saturday's event, [player_tooltip player_id='2523886' first='Ben' last='Wade'] of Iowa City Regina played like it. With offers from Drake and Northern Iowa, Wade is a play-making forward on the rise, and he showed why in Des Moines. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As stated when naming <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/the-iowa-expo-eliots-first-team-all-expo/">my First-Team All-Expo</a>, "Once the five-on-five portion began, it was like a switch flipped for the sophomore forward. With the ball in his hands, Wade immediately became much more aggressive in the half court, putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket. A much better ball-handler than I anticipated, Wade used it to his advantage. Additionally, he's got a smooth stroke from three, and if he continues to hone his handles and become a creator, he could receive many more offers than just the in-state mid-majors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big that isn't hampered in transition, Wade got out in front of the break with regularity and threw down some super athletic dunks, including a 360 slam early on in the day. As a help defender, he's good at keeping an eye on the ball-handler, stepping off his assignment and swatting away shots near the cup."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2116967"],"_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-68e3e74c747c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing like the Energizer Bunndy, [player_tooltip player_id='2116967' first='Tramaine' last='Horton']'s battery seemingly never ran out of energy. Looking to get out and into transition, Horton showed flashes of being a coast-to-coast threat on a rebound or when given an outlet pass. He looked up to try to find an open teammate, but he possesses the speed to take the rock from one end of the court to the other as quick as anyone that attended The Expo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a defender, Horton used that same quickness to go along with length, being forced to matchup with forwards from time-to-time and not backing down despite an apparent size disadvantage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2694536"],"_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-68e3e74c7486a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tall with a long frame, [player_tooltip player_id='2694536' first='Rashaad' last='Fox'] joined his Iowa City West teammate, Gordon on Team 6 on Saturday. A rim-attacker like his high school teammate, Fox used his length to finish at the bucket, creating separation between he and his defender to finish with touch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Understanding positioning near the bucket and leverage against defenders, Fox used strength and his length to score near the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2481793"],"_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-68e3e74c74910"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Narrowly missing off the All-Expo First-Team, [player_tooltip player_id='2481793' first='Rhett' last='Driskell'] made it difficult to choose someone other than him as one of the top five players in Des Moines. A confident scoring guard with a quick release, Driskell is a score-first guard that also happens to be able to make his teammates better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Driskell's jab step often sets him up to score on the perimeter or get by his defender, but he's best as a jump-shooter. Able to hit open shots when they're presented to him, Driskell can step into a shot from anywhere on the perimeter and hit threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always in control with the ball in his hands, Driskell doesn't get sped up, can finish with either hand, is a focused defender and should step into a starring role for Creston this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2773360"],"_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-68e3e74c749b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the two bigs I picked on my First-Team All-Expo, [player_tooltip player_id='2773360' first='Zaccai' last='Walters-Poage'] impressed most with this length, athleticism and bounce for Team 6. An excellent front court compliment to Wade, Walters-Poage brought his own skillset to the table. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lob threat that played above the rim for a large portion of the day, Walters-Poage's speed only added another layer to his game. With long strides and bounce, he's a constant threat to get a layup or a dunk if he finds a crease in the defense. He's masterful in transition, filling lanes and throwing down slams with ease. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->