D1 Summer Classic – The Friday Night Standouts

<p>Friday night D1 Summer Classic action included some of the better 16u teams in Minnesota.  Here are five players that had strong Friday nights.  </p> [caption id="attachment_1018204" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/EdK_mkxWoAEQ9xq.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1018204 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/EdK_mkxWoAEQ9xq-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="850738" first="Antonio" last="Bluiett"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850738" first="Antonio" last="Bluiett"]</strong> of Minnesota Comets (Buffalo).  Last night wasn’t Antonio’s "coming out party" or his "breakout moment".  He’s a talented 2022 guard that has already had those big moments the last two seasons with Buffalo.  That said last night was my first chance to see Antonio be the full range scorer that he can be.  Antonio produced ten different field goals in about 16 attempts and the variety of those scores is what really caught my attention.  The biggest one was the three attacks against a good defender beating that player with a sudden step and then being able to stop and pop versus the positioned help or attack the rim and score over the length.  Antonio also hit a three, he scored in transition out-racing the retreat, and was overall a go-to-guy.  </p> <p><strong>Domanik Paulson</strong> of Minnesota Rise (WEM). [player_tooltip player_id="955648" first="Grant" last="McBroom"] was fantastic this year, I don’t want to take anything away from him.  That said, there was some overshadowing of a very good year that sophomore Domanik Paulson had scoring 15 a game.  Paulson really caught my eye with his direct assault on the guy defending him.  It really grabbed my focus on how Paulson would catch a reversal and use his first step and strength to get to the elbow forcing multiple defenders to get there. If they didn’t he scored his 13 versus the Heat. If the defenders did get there, Paulson accomplished task one opening the wing or the post. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850725" first="Sam" last="Rensch"]</strong> of Fury Wilde (Hutchinson).  The Fury overwhelmed BSB Renta 67-35 and a lot of Fury players competed in a way that allowed their capabilities as a team.  Sam was likely the guy that stepped forward the most because of the way he attacked his opponents on all fronts.  Sam attacked the rim as a playmaker for results and made multiple shots at the arc.  He then took all of that energy, all of that basketball ability and ability and applied it on the other end. Sam’s active hands and impact defending the ball was important and he really rebounded well from the wing. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958669" first="Kenji" last="Scales"]</strong> of Fury Narum (Eastview).  I would say I watched about 4-5 games this year (through the spring) and in each game [player_tooltip player_id="958669" first="Kenji" last="Scales"] played a key part in each contest.  In fact there were a couple games where he was one of the guards on the floor with four seniors.  I expected Kenji to be a part of Eastview next season but I think last night his 24 point leading man role had an even bigger impact on my future thoughts because, Kenji can straight go.  And last night’s 24 against Comets Elite wasn’t a one time thing, this is how Scales played last weekend down in Sioux Falls as well.  His perimeter shooting touch looks beautiful and the quickness into the release is the thing that really grabbed my attention.  And that behind the back change of direction into the spin move And1 finish was the play of the night. Keep an eye here, Scales looks like one of the top stock risers of July. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796950" first="Jason" last="Spaeth"]</strong> of D1 Minnesota Prospects (Mound-Westonka).  You can’t fashion "first in the gym last one to leave" into a nickname but if you figure it out, apply it to Jason.  I think Coach Andre Phillips has said it so much that’s the first thing I think of when I see Jason play.  And last night my thoughts about his game were on a variety of levels.  I noticed how active his feet were on defense sprinting to his closeout angle, stepping hard laterally to beat guys to angles, and busting tail to get a loose ball or a board to fly the other way.  Jason did a really nice job ball handling last night pushing the pace and making nice reads. And I thought the biggest thing he did was use his strong physical frame to get to his skill areas scoring the 18 he did pushing his team to a win. </p>