16’s Watchlist: Battle At The Lakes

Battle At The Lakes tips off this weekend in Minnesota, and it's shaping up to be one of the premier stops on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Year after year, this event brings together high-level talent, strong programs, and competitive matchups from across the region.   In this piece, we're zeroing in on the 16U division, where some of the top prospects from North Dakota and South Dakota will be on display. With a deep group of talent and plenty of players looking to make a name for themselves, this age group should be one to watch all weekend long.   Take a look below as we highlight some of the names to know heading into Battle At The Lakes.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image_1dd9be.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image_1dd9be.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3628641" style="width:381px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image_579ea0.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image_579ea0.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3628642" /></a></figure>    Bridger is a player to watch because of the energy and toughness he brings every time he steps on the floor. Though undersized, Bloms makes up for it with relentless effort and a feisty defensive mentality. He's the type of guard who will pick up full-court, pressure ball handlers, and create problems with his activity level. Bloms does a great job forcing turnovers both on and off the ball, whether it's disrupting dribblers or jumping passing lanes for steals. Offensively, he attacks with confidence, creates opportunities for teammates, and can knock down perimeter shots when defenses give him space. His defensive intensity, playmaking ability, and knack for making clutch plays make him the kind of player who can swing momentum and impact winning.     Dekker is a player to watch this weekend thanks to his intriguing blend of length, skill, and upside. The Brandon Valley standout plays with patience and a good feel for the game, allowing him to make smart decisions and keep the offense flowing. Dekker does a nice job sharing the basketball, creating for teammates, and contributing on the glass. His versatility and developing skill set make him an interesting prospect to track, especially as he continues to grow into his game. His length, passing ability, and overall upside give him the tools to impact the game in multiple ways.     Mr. Burch is a player to watch after an impressive showing at Twin Cities Takedown. A noteworthy athlete with strength, speed, and explosiveness, Burch immediately stands out with the way he attacks the game. While his ability to slash and get downhill catches attention, he also showed more perimeter shooting ability than expected, proving he can knock down the three-ball consistently. Burch impacts the game as both a scorer and playmaker, doing a solid job setting the table for teammates while continuing to show upside on the defensive end. His blend of athleticism, shot-making, and playmaking ability gives him the tools to impact the game in multiple ways and makes him a strong candidate for another big weekend in the Cities.     Kieper is a player to watch this weekend after putting together a strong spring so far. He plays with the poise and vision of a smart lead guard, consistently reading the floor well and making the right decisions with the basketball. Krefting is an effective scorer from all levels, capable of knocking down outside shots while also attacking and finishing at the rim. His perimeter shot continues to become more consistent, adding another layer to his offensive game. On the defensive end, he competes hard, creates stops, and turns defense into offense with quick outlets and strong transition instincts. He also rebounds well for his size, showing toughness and effort in the little areas of the game. Krefting's feel for the game, improving scoring ability, and two-way impact make him a steady all-around guard who can influence winning in multiple ways.     Mr. McInerney is a player to watch because of his ability to flat-out shoot the basketball. The left-hander from Brandon Valley is a true sniper with deep range and the confidence to let it fly from anywhere on the floor. McInerney is more than just a spot-up shooter, too. He can knock down shots off the catch or create his own look off the dribble, making him a dangerous scoring threat at all times. His length, athleticism, and natural instincts add even more intrigue to his game and point toward exciting long-term potential. McInerney's elite shooting ability and playmaking upside make him a game-changer. There is a good chance the kid from BV will light it up this weekend.     This Bulldog is a player to watch this weekend because of the combination of size, skill, and versatility he brings to the floor. At 6'5”, he immediately creates matchup problems with his length and ability to impact the game from multiple spots on the court. Holscher is a true three-level scorer who can knock down shots from deep, attack the basket, and finish effectively with either hand. His smooth jump shot and deep shooting range make him a constant offensive threat, while his overall feel and versatility allow him to contribute in a variety of ways. Coming off a strong high school season that earned him All-Conference honors, he continues to trend upward as a well-rounded prospect. Holscher's blend of size, scoring ability, and all-around skill makes him a difficult matchup and a player with a very bright future at Milbank.     He played well in Sioux Falls last weekend. Smith is a quality athlete with good length and versatility, making an impact in multiple ways. He showed the ability to attack the rim, finish in traffic, and knock down shots from beyond the arc. It'll be exciting to see if he can carry that momentum into this weekend in Minnesota.-     I haven't seen him live since last summer, so I'm excited to see how his game has evolved. [player_tooltip player_id='2442388' first='Myles' last='Ellwein'] brings impressive length, strong shooting ability, and he comes from a great basketball background. He also gained valuable experience this winter as a role player on a State Championship team. With his combination of size, shooting, and added experience, Ellwein has the tools to take a step forward and make an impact this weekend.     Schneider is a player to watch after a strong showing in Phenom's first event of the season. He's an extremely efficient scorer who consistently finds high-percentage looks and converts at a high rate. Simply put, he doesn't take bad shots—and it shows in his production. Schneider does a great job getting to the right spots on the floor, finishing around the rim, and playing within himself. His length adds another layer of intrigue, enabling him to score efficiently while also impacting the game in other areas. His efficiency, shot selection, and length make him a unique offensive piece and seeing how that translates in person makes him a must-watch this weekend.     Mr. Soper is a player to watch this weekend thanks to his athleticism and versatility. A lanky 6'2" wing/guard, he brings bounce, speed, and explosiveness that show up all over the floor, especially in transition, where he's at his best, flying end to end. Soper is a true three-level scorer who can impact the game in multiple ways, and he's coming off a strong high school season that earned him All-Region honors. He plays with confidence and continues to show upside as his game develops. His combination of athletic tools, scoring ability, and versatility makes him a dynamic threat and a player who can make a big impact throughout the weekend.     Steph is a player to watch this weekend thanks to his combination of length, athleticism, and production. He immediately passes the eye test, using his size and explosiveness to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Booth has put together a strong spring and is trending toward being a consistent Double-Double threat. He rebounds at a high level, plays with a relentless motor, and finishes with power while still showing body control and touch around the rim. His toughness and resilience stand out, as he competes hard every possession and doesn't shy away from contact. Booth's ability to control the glass, score efficiently, and bring energy makes him a high-impact player and one that college coaches will want to get a close look at.     Sully is a must-watch talent this weekend after putting together a monster sophomore season. A First Team All-State selection, Felberg helped lead his team to the State Tournament and showed he can produce at a high level against top competition. Felberg is the definition of a do-it-all player. With his length, skill, and basketball IQ, he creates matchup problems all over the floor. He can score, facilitate, rebound, and defend, making an impact in every phase of the game while consistently making winning plays. Felberg's combination of production, versatility, and feel makes him one of the more complete players in the Dakotas and a guy capable of taking over games in multiple ways.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image_02cb28.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image_02cb28.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3628643" /></a></figure>

Battle At The Lakes tips off this weekend in Minnesota, and it's shaping up to be one of the premier stops on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Year after year, this event brings together high-level talent, strong programs, and competitive matchups from across the region.