National Open Championship: Saturday Night Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second day of the Prep Hoops National Championship saw plenty of high level play in the 15U Division. Following are my observations from full Saturday slate of action (and slightly beyond 15U) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] Conyers Bounces Back in Big Way </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After dropping their opening contest on Friday night. [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] Conyers bounced back by going 2-0 on Saturday. Their opening contest came down to the wire against a resilient Ohio Primetime Basketball Club. Early on it appeared the game would come to a battle of the big men. As the Minnesota clearly had a talented option down there. However, as the game continued the action moved in a different direction.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That direction was the perimeter. That was the domain of [player_tooltip player_id='2880880' first='Isaiah' last='Homrighausen'] (St Peter MN) The sharpshooter got red hot from beyond the arc. Putting up 18 eighteen points with exclusively the three point shot. If math isn't your thing (that's me) he put in an eye opening six three. Only a 2029 and at 6-1, this could be an elite shooter. He wasn't alone on the perimeter though. [player_tooltip player_id='3482070' first='Axel' last='Hogberg'] (Centennial MN) was equally good from beyond the arc, but sprinkled in the two-point shot when defenses ran him off the line. At only 5-10, Hoberg still has development to go. However, he showed a lot potential and a bit of a clutch gene in the nip and tuck victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The squad's highest profile player lived up to his billing in the second contest of the day. [player_tooltip player_id='2454248' first='Elijah' last='Christenson'] (Rogers pictured) looked every part of top 10 player in the 2029 class. Asserted his 6-7 size in a much more forceful manner. Had a strong early dunk that set the tone. Is an excellent ball handler for his size. Moves like wing with above average lateral quickness. As the description outlines, he can already play guard all five positions at the high level. His ceiling will be defined by how much strength he can add to his frame. Played a little passively at times. Especially in the opening contest on Saturday. But the upside is off the charts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michigan Ignition Continues to Roll </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simply put, the Michigan Ignition 2029 program has been one of the more consistent programs on the Prep Hoops Circuit. You know what you are going to get. An aggressive 1-3-1 zone trap and efficient offense. After getting off to a bit of a slow start in their first game against Indiana Elite Shepard. They were keyed by 6-5 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2850774' first='Evan' last='Bekius'] (Salem) Bekius turns defense into offense quickly and took an early steal for an emphatic dunk in transition. He followed it with a smooth and confident three. Showing the full complement of what makes him in intriguing long term prospect. The outline for a small college stretch four is already clearly there. If continues to grow physically (only a 2029) the ceiling positionally and level could be even higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Ignition squad is so good defensively that at times you forget about the offensive end. They made it hard to forget that end by dropping 51 points... in the first half of their semifinal win. You don't drop a half century mark with just turnovers and transition opportunities. This is where [player_tooltip player_id='3594189' first='Brayden' last='Cook'] (St Johns) perimeter skill set comes into play. The fact that the Lansing area 6-5 wing played JV basketball last year makes me wonder how deep the Red Wing program is? Has pretty close to a complete offensive skillset. Can score at all three levels. Does this with well-schooled footwork and advanced ball handling. Gets off the ground quickly and can rise with anyone. Sister is a college volleyball player, so he comes by it naturally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Brief Forray into the 16U Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did not confine myself to the 15U division on Saturday. It's just too long of a day. It also gives to me chance to highlight one of my top players on the Prep Hoops Circuit. 2028 Canadian wing [player_tooltip player_id='3581343' first='Sidiki' last='Kromah'] "flies" a bit under the radar. I used the quotes intentionally and for the purpose of a bad dad joke pun. The 6-4 wing is one the better leapers and you will see anywhere. Not only gets off the ground quickly but does it with violent force. Finishes through contact often. Much more than just an athlete though. Good enough ball handler and passer to play the point. Put up 10 points against Uncheckable Elite, but it felt like more and was loaded with winning intangibles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of Minnesota's Uncheckable Elite. I liked their inside/out duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2416035' first='Ben' last='Banwart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2560481' first='Iye' last='Fuye'] (both from Maple Grove) Banwart has excellent positional size in the backcourt at 6-4. Can play the point with an advanced ball handling skillset. However, has no problem scoring when needed. Fuye is 6-5 but plays much bigger than his listed height. Has an eye opening wingspan and quick elevation that helps him play well... and I mean well above the rim. While he stayed mostly near the basket. Showed to ability to play out on the wing. Long skinny frame. If he can add weight and strength, he could be cooking with gas in the next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->