Week 2 - Standouts - Prep Hoops

Now that some guys have some games under their belt after a hectic first two weeks of play, let's see who made noise and stepped up big time this week.    Melcher has been a huge reason why that the Thunderbirds have started the season 4-1.   Melcher leads the state of Nebraska so far this year with 17 made threes and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. The 6'2" Sophomore is averaging 17 points in his last three games and 15 points overall. He is shooting with a ton of confidence and efficiency, and he also plays the game incredibly smart. He doesn't make mistakes often and moves nicely without the ball. Melcher has all the tools to be one of the best scoring guards in the state, and I expect his stock to continue to rise as the season goes on.     Mauro, the second Thunderbird to appear on this list, is an absolute maestro at the point guard spot for this squad.   Mauro, who had a great Summer this year, is always a threat for his team when the ball is in his hands. Whether he's shooting, driving, or looking to facilitate, Maruo is very good with the ball in his hands. He plays with great pace and lets the game come to him; he doesn't get sped up very easily and is a very smart player. Averaging 10 points and 4 assists so far this year, Mauro also has a great impact on the defensive end. He does a great job in navigating the pick and roll and does an exceptional job of staying in front of his man.     Sanders is an incredible athlete and leader for this Southwest team. He is a huge reason why his team has started the year 4-0.   Sanders is currently averaging just over 15 points a game on 50% from the field. My favorite aspect of his game is his fearlessness with the ball. Sanders does a great job of driving, staying under control, and either finishing through contact or drawing a foul. Another way he impacts the game is his defense. Sanders is a very intense on-ball defender, and you can tell he takes pride on that end of the floor. He also does a great job of rebounding for his size.     One of the most consistent big-time scorers in the state, Gedik is a prospect who has a lot of people intrigued.   The Augustana commit is starting off the season averaging 19 points and 6 rebounds. The first thing that I notice with Gedik is his versatility and athleticism. Gedik, at 6'7", can handle the ball with ease as well as play from the block. He is a freight train with the ball in transition. If he has a lane, be careful because he can throw it down with force. He also stretches the floor very well, with a great three-point shot. He does a great job of playing physical on the defensive end without fouling, and he is an exceptional rebounder. Overall, one of the more complete prospects in this class.     Brown is a player I previously talked about before the season started, and for good reason.   Brown is starting off the season averaging 20 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds. There's a reason he's looked at as one of the premier talents in Class B. An incredibly versatile and dynamic playmaker, Brown is a very smart and savvy player. He gets to his spots on the offensive end with ease and can knock down shots from almost anywhere on the floor. He is great at finishing through contact and has a great second jump, allowing him to get his own rebound if he misses. Brown is a great scorer, and I'm very excited to see how the rest of the year plays out for him.

Now that some guys have some games under their belt after a hectic first two weeks of play, let's see who made noise and stepped up big time this week.