The Stage: Gilbert’s Indiana Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Stage, a marquee event of the Prep Hoops Circuit took place this past weekend in the greater Indianapolis area. I split the weekend between two gyms but spent most of my weekend at Farmer's Bank Fieldhouse. Following are the Hoosier State standouts that I viewed broken down by class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2414955' first='Luke' last='Vandegriff'] <strong>6-10 Westfield</strong> Although he was playing with an Ohio AAU squad. Might have had the shortest drive to the gym of anyone in the field. Took him a bit to get going in the one game I watched. However, as the contest against [program_tooltip program_id='2076451' first='D1' last='Indiana'] advanced, he began to exploit their slender frontline. Seems to know he is, and I mean that as a compliment. Uses his big frame to punish defenders on the block. Finishes with a soft touch around the basket. Light on his feet for his size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2560400' first='Mark' last='Shostak'] <strong>6-11 Carmel</strong> From one big man with a short to the gym to another. I was impresseed with how Shostak forced the issue early against a good squad out of Michigan. Didn't hesitate in the post. Not mechanical and seemed to have decisive plan on deep catches. This played a role in forcing his opponent into early foul trouble. In addition to height, has a lengthy frame that he used to protect rim. As an out of state scout, I don't have extensive viewings of this prospect. That being said, he appears to only be scratching the surface of his potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539932' first='Barrett' last='Rucker'] 6-5 Noblesville </strong>One of my favorite players from the weekend. Multifaceted prospect who could play and more importantly guard multiple positions. Looks like a traditional post with a strong and athletic frame. Has plenty of wing skills in the package as well. Excellent lateral quickness and long arms. Accordingly, the defense was just as good as the offense. Competed hard and did not shrink from the moment in a Sunday nip and tuck victory. Put up 18 points in this contest. Most of it was in the clutch as he only had five points at the half. Well-schooled shot with a high release point. Excelled in the mid-range but was pure from beyond the arc. Excellent elevation on his jump shot and was a major factor at the rim. Accumulated blocks, deflections, and winning plays that do not show up on a standard score sheet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2540008' first='Chayse' last='Hunter'] <strong>6-0 Lawrence North (pictured) </strong>While Rucker (see above) provided the intangibles for [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last='']. It was Hunter who lit up the score sheet. The powerful lead guard put up 23 points. Beyond the volume of points, it was also the manner. In this range obsessed era, did it on all on two-point baskets. Almost exclusively off of powerful penetration drives as well. When defense begins to sag and you still can get to the basket. You are dealing with some next level acceleration. Attacked without and was a strong finisher at the rim. Formed a devastating backcourt duo with regular season teammate [player_tooltip player_id='3583449' first='Kori'aun' last='Nelson'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reece Walker 6-8 Indianapolis/Homeschool </strong>I try not write about a player twice in weekend. Life is about exceptions though. After impressing on Friday night. Walker was still producing highlights in the waning moments of Sunday action. Against an Indy jazz squad that featured a beefy frontline. Walker continued to own the area around the rim. Gets off the ground quickly and can adjust in the air. Seen on an especially acrobatic tip where he contorted his body and finished... sideways... that is the best way I can describe a finish you don't see often. I continued to be impressed with how he ordered and moved his feet on the defensive end. Contested aggressively on the perimeter. But chopped his feet on closeouts and was ready for the pump fake and drive. There was a lot to like offensively as well. Fluid shooter from the perimeter. Didn't fall in love with it though. Still sought to score near the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2029</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2906223' first='Ashton' last='Northern'] 5-10 South Bend Adams</strong> Northern's Team Soil unit was the hard luck squad of the weekend. Went 1-3 but had two very close losses. Northern impressed all weekend. Kicked things off with a 14-point outing on Friday night. Wrapped things up with 15 points on Sunday. Straight from the source, he says he 5-10. I think he is taller. This is most likely due to his long and slender build. Long strider who covered a lot of ground with his steps. Advanced ball handler who got to the rim and his spots on the perimeter with ease. Avoided contact with excellent body control. Consequently, I'm not sure about his ability to finish through contact. We need to get stronger to take the next step in development. However, this is young prospect hailing from the "cradle of point guards"... South Bend. Should get pushed and be able to learn from [player_tooltip player_id='2129321' first='Drew' last='Dixon'] in practice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2030 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3593738' first='Yulander' last='Wells'] <strong>6-3 (School NA) </strong>We'll close with one for the future. Wells is a mature physically advanced wing from South Bend. Nothing about his game said freshmen. As stated above, nearly all of his Team Soil contests were close. Wells wanted the ball in his hands late. Was left-handed but it was not readily apparent. Drove both ways equally and finished with both hands. Had a footwork and pivot package reminiscent of a much older player. Saved his best for last. Putting up 24 points in a closing loss Sunday. I should add he wasn't doing this in 14U action. Was playing up an age group and was already stronger than most of his opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->