PrepHoops Midwest Showdown: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook
The PrepHoops Midwest Showdown kicked off action on Friday afternoon in Appleton, Wisconsin. Take a look at what we saw in PrepHoops Midwest Showdown: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook! Tayshawn Bridges & Wisconsin Playground 14U Live Up to Hype We…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepHoops Midwest Showdown kicked off action on Friday afternoon in Appleton, Wisconsin. Take a look at what we saw in PrepHoops Midwest Showdown: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook!
Tayshawn Bridges & Wisconsin Playground 14U Live Up to Hype
We started off our Friday coverage with Wisconsin Playground UAA Rise 14U vs Iowa Mavs Villagrana 14U. The marquee attraction in this game was 2024 guard Tayshawn Bridges. He has created quite a bit of buzz already nationally before entering high school already holding high-major offers from Florida State, Iowa, Auburn, and Maryland. This was my first look at him. The guard has long arms and tremendous speed. You could tell from the opening tip that he has the “it” factor. Great burst with the ball in his hands with crisp handles. He got where he wanted the entire game. Speed in the open floor along with his passing were very impressive. Flair distributing the rock. Gets to the foul line with his explosiveness on straight line takes. He threw down several incredibly impressive dunks gliding with ease above the hoop and finishing with power. Didn’t show much in the way of a jump shot in this contest missing the only ones we saw him take. I can definitely see what the hype is all about. Another prospect that stood out to us was Kai Rogers. The young center is a bit raw, but has the tools to develop. Great size, strength, and broad shoulders. Rebounds well in his area. Finishes in tight spaces. Runs the floor hard. One to watch moving forward. This group is loaded and going to be a fun one to continue to track! WPC won 109-42 in opener.
Chapman Basketball Academy 15 Opens with Win
Our next game up was Chapman Basketball Academy McCabe vs JH1 Elite Taylor 15U. Chapman is a team with several quality wings and guards that impressed. Jacob Dunham Jacob Dunham 6'4" | SG South Milwaukee | 2023 State WI put it on the deck several times for scores off the bounce. Also hit a mid-range jumper and proved to be a quality defender. Jack Riley is a capable shooter on the perimeter with size. Matthew Thistle is a gritty guard that is active rebounding, throws crisp passes, and got after it on defense. Mekhi Thadison is a high energy kid that defends and always seems to be around the ball. They good home the win 65-44.
For JH1 Elite Taylor 15U Kyle Kober proved to be an effective shooter from mid-range and can stretch to three on occasion. Also had a nice drive. Owen Martinson got out in transition for a bucket along with a sweet shot fake for a 15 footer.
Trio for JH1 Ubert 15U Impresses in First Game
Good showing especially in the first half for a trio from JH1 Ubert 15U against the Minnesota Grizzlies. Brogan McIntyre is a 6’5” face up four man that can stretch the floor out to beyond the three point arc knocking down several. Also took it strong on the baseline for a score and ran the floor hard. Dajohn Graff is a high motor wing that crashes the glass, can hit an open shot, and uses his quickness inside. Henry Kelley rebounds well for his size, blocked shots, and finished well inside. JH1 picked up the win 70-41.
JH1 Kelm 15U Balanced Effort Leads to Win
We caught another JH1 team and this was another quality team. Bennett McCormick is a 6’3” wing that scores off the bounce and made excellent passes on the move. Also liked what Braden Mcglothin brought to the table at the point. Crisp passer, quality leader, and can hit an open shot. Danny Kniep Danny Kniep 6'5" | PF Burlington | 2023 WI inside was a force. The 6’6” big man is a strong bodied five man that does his work in the paint. Good rebounder, finishes well on dump off passes, and goes through contact for scores. They picked up an 84-44 win over the Iowa Mavs.
South Dakota Attack Holds on Despite Gus Yalden Show
Tremendous effort by South Dakota Attack 15U squad as they knocked off Wisconsin Playground 49-45. It was a balanced effort for the South Dakota squad with sound passing especially against the full court press and they just drilled shots every time they needed one. Wisconsin Playground 2023 star big man Gus Yalden continued his strong summer. He was excellent using his craftiness, body positioning, and feel scoring in the paint. So efficient and is a plus passing big man. Also had some flash too including blocking a shot defensively and then pushing the break on his own. Play of the day was a steal where he ripped it on the perimeter, took it coast to coast, went behind his back, and finished with his off hand. The high-major offers have been coming in bunches for Gus Bus!