Madness in the Midwest: Saturday’s 14U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several players in the 14U division in Appleton yesterday made a strong impression!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2434379"],"_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-69e4dd370666a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ezra Johnson had the most dominant performance I saw on Saturday. He is the true definition of a three-level scorer, getting buckets in transition, off the drive, and from the perimeter. His three-point efficiency makes him a nightmare for defenses, as he can put the ball on the floor if defenders close out too aggressively. His size also makes him difficult to handle, at 6'3”, he can simply shoot over defenders at the 14U level. He is definitely a player to watch heading into high school and is currently listed to attend Southwest Christian in Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3596005,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jacob Hicks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"24:Up","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e4dd3706764"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left","placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left text-gray-700">Jacob Hicks flashed his potential on Saturday, proving to be one of the more exciting players on the floor. Offensively, he runs the floor extremely well, consistently creating easy scoring opportunities in transition. His guards did a great job rewarding his effort, connecting with him for layups and even a few lob finishes. On the defensive end, he uses his height and wingspan effectively to disrupt opposing offenses. He recorded multiple shot blocks, both on jump shots and at the rim, showcasing his timing and length. With his combination of athleticism and upside, Hicks is an intriguing prospect with a bright future as he enters high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3595973,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jamison Jaeggi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2076031' first='Wisconsin' last='Hoops Select']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e4dd3706600"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jamison had an extremely impressive outing against MN Heat Dahl on Saturday morning. Although he is a bit undersized, he consistently fills up the stat sheet. He has a great first step and can penetrate the defense, creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates. The most impressive aspect of Jamison's performance was his ability to finish at the rim despite his size. He is crafty and uses pump fakes, head fakes, and excellent footwork to convert on tough drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3584295"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3595998,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69e4dd37066c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3584314' first='Wade' last='Stratton'] is a dominant post presence for MN Hoop Troop's 14U squad. On Saturday, he showcased his relentlessness on the boards, which was key to generating second-chance opportunities and securing defensive stops. He brings strong physicality, solid footwork, and a soft touch around the rim on layups and floaters. Defensively, he anchors the paint as a reliable last line of defense, making it difficult for opponents to finish inside. With his physical tools already translating well, he projects as a player who can make an immediate impact at the high school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3497608"],"_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-69e4dd370651a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Asher stood out in his team's matchup against MN Heat – Dahl, playing a key offensive role in a tight game. He's a well-rounded scorer who can produce at all three levels, with his driving ability being especially impressive in this matchup. He consistently attacked the basket with both his left and right hand, finishing through contact. Asher combines a quick first step with good agility and enough strength to absorb contact and complete plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->