National Open Championship: Friday Night Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final event of the Prep Hoops Circuit tipped off just outside of Indianapolis on Friday night. I've been assigned to the 15U Division at the Pacers Athletic Center for the weekend. Following is a Friday notebook from a brief session of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bearstail 15U Rolls in Opener</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the heading says, Bearstail 15U wasn't really tested in their opener. An impressive all around unit. That being said, perhaps I've been watching a bit more soccer than normal. I couldn't help but wonder what Erling Haaland would look like on a basketball court. As the featured image above shows, that is what saw when I watched West Fargo's (North Dakota) [player_tooltip player_id='2400639' first='Logan' last='Wavrin'] play (pictured at top) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-7 prospect with heavy Nordic features was simply bigger, stronger, more skilled that anyone on the court, sound familiar. Had the vertical size and physicality to simply bully defenders in the post. Could do much more though. Showed the ball handling ability to drive from the top of key to the cup and finish. Not many 6-7 upperclassmen prospects can do that, let alone a 2029. Completed the basically finished package with a smooth and fluid release from beyond the arc. Also had quick elevation to the rim. Put up 26 points in the opening victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bearstail was much more than just a one man show though. Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2842170' first='Elliott' last='Thompson'] (Minnetonka MN) showed good positional size for the one or two positions. Was an excellent shooter from beyond the arc who knew how to get open. Hit seven... that's right seven threes to finish with 25 points. [player_tooltip player_id='2863718' first='Tygen' last='Michalenko'] (Kenmare-Bowbells ND) and [player_tooltip player_id='2840998' first='AJ' last='McDonagh'] (West Fargo Sheyenne) were athletic 6-4 prospects who did a little bit of everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Minnesota Crossfire is Balanced in a Win</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like Bearstail 15U (see above) [program_tooltip program_id='2075693' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] Frederickson was impressive and balanced in their opening victory. They were led by [player_tooltip player_id='2782368' first='Wesley' last='Guanzini'] (Centennial MN) with 17 points. I was also struck by the playmaking shown out of the high post by [player_tooltip player_id='2414660' first='Alex' last='Cotton'] (St Francis). The 6-3 prospect was a good passer who found open teammates. Hada lanky frame that he still needs to grow into but has a lot of upside and finished with eight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The backcourt was manned by [player_tooltip player_id='2382198' first='Charlie' last='Rachel'] (Rogers) and [player_tooltip player_id='2788415' first='Micah' last='Momon'] (Wayzata). Two guards with who could develop if they continue to grow vertically. Both kept defenses honest with deep range from the perimeter. Momon finished with 16 while Rachel put up 15 points. A truly balanced team effort. Eager to get another look at this group as they advance on in bracket play Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] Shows Potential in Defeat </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though they lost a close one to a good squad out of Southern Indiana. I was impressed with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] Ohnsted unit. It started with the dynamic two point guard look of [player_tooltip player_id='2919848' first='Lamar' last='Clay-jones'] (Roseville Area) and <strong>McKegn Giles</strong> (Belle Plain). Clay-Jones has a very slender build but drives to basket without fear. Giles was jet quick on the perimeter and very aggressive on the defensive end. His aggressiveness got him in a bit of foul trouble, but he managed to play through it. Like Clay-Jones attacked the basket on penetration. without fear. Used a floater to score over bigger players. Clay-Jones also showed potential as a distributor. Good live dribble passer who played well in pick and roll situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The post was manned by 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='2917657' first='Ethan' last='Payne'] (Cottage Grove). Payne has eye opening size. An athletic and far from skinny 6-6 frame. Thick broad shoulders and wide lower base did not keep him from running the court well and playing above the rim. Out of state scout here. But I would say there is a less than zero chance he is related to another Payne post prospect I saw with this program a few years ago. He was joined by [player_tooltip player_id='2415801' first='Gabriel' last='Taylor'] (Glencoe Silver Lake) and [player_tooltip player_id='2869294' first='Colin' last='Burns'] (Cretin-Derham Hall). At 6-3 Taylor was better with the ball in his hands and was able to get to the rim on penetration. He might need to improve his elevation as he struggled to finish at the rim at times. But there is a lot of potential here. Burns is more of traditional big man with Payne's vertical size minus the girth. He scored at the rim and moved well for his size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->