Battle at the Lakes: Iowa Stock Risers
Parker Badding, 6-2 G, Tryon Gym 17U (Kuemper Catholic/2018)
Tryon’s win over the Wisconsin Starz was as good as Badding has ever looked when we’ve seen him. He was doing a bit of everything, while showing that he’s not just the shooter that we’ve seen. He played the point guard role perfectly, running his team through their sets and finding the open man in the halfcourt, and pushing the tempo when the situation called for it in transition. Additionally, he was knocking down open 3s like we’ve come accustomed to seeing. A long, lanky guard who will likely have to move over to more of a point guard role at the next level, this was a great showing for him on both ends of the floor.
Sam Auen, 6-0 SG, Tryon Gym 17U (Kuemper Catholic/2018)
Auen was a 43.4% shooter from the arc during the high school season, and he showed that that number most definitely is not a fluke, torching the Wisconsin Starz from deep all game long. He’s got a quick, smooth and consistent release, moves well without the ball and is squared and ready to shoot off the catch. He knocked down open 3 after open 3 in the blowout win, while also contributing on the glass on both ends of the floor and keeping the ball moving on offense. He’s a knockdown shooter, which is something that will translate to the next level.
Cade Moritz, 6-8 C, Iowa Cornsharks Select 17U (Des Moines Roosevelt/2018)
Moritz normally runs the the Iowa Barnstormers, but with the ‘Stormers having the weekend off, he played with the Cornsharks in Minneapolis. While he’s a solid role player with the ‘Stormers, he had a chance to shine here, showcasing his all-around skill set. He runs the floor well, scores on the block with either hand and is a good rebounder on both ends of the floor. With his size, he can make an impact on the defensive end, blocking and altering shots, and he can move his feet fairly well laterally. Likely a Division II prospect who can make an impact on both ends, and may just be scratching the surface of his abilities, particularly on the offensive side.
Marco Balderas, 5-9 PG, Iowa Cornsharks Select 17U (South Hamilton/2018)
Like Moritz, Balderas was playing with different teammates this weekend, as he’s normally a part of the Iowa Dynasty program. However, the different teammates didn’t seem to impact him at all, as he was his usual sensational self in our viewings. The size will probably end up scaring some programs off, but he has done a great job crafting his game around that “issue”, developing a great floater game to score over bigger defenders in the paint. He’s also not afraid of contact, and will routinely get to the rim for either finishes or to get to the free throw line. He’s a high-level passer and ball handler who sees the floor extremely well and does a great job setting up his teammates. On the defensive, he has good instincts and quick hands, showing the ability to poke the ball away as a shooter rises into their shot often. He’s a quality all-around floor general on both ends of the floor who just makes whatever team he is on better.
Kris Murray, 6-3 SG, Team Iowa Red 16U (Cedar Rapids Prairie/2019)
It was twin brother Keegan who had more success during the high school season, but Kris was the standout over the weekend in Minneapolis, routinely leading his Team Iowa group in scoring. He’s been known as a sharpshooter, and for good reason, as the lefty was torching the nets in every game. But the evolution he’s making in his game as an all-around scorer is remarkable. He had multiple tough finishes at the rim, finishing through contact after showing an improved handle to help him get into the paint. He’s becoming a high-level all-around scoring threat, and he’s able to get to the rim more and more now as teams have to respect his ability to shoot from the arc. He has good length and moves fairly well laterally on the defensive end.
Hayden Passmore, 6-5 SF, Team Iowa Red 16U (Linn-Mar/2019)
Passmore is a long, athletic playmaking wing who is just as good with the ball in his hands as he is off of it. He’s able to get to the rim and finish, can stretch out to the arc and knock down shots, and he’s a good passer who sees the floor well. He rebounds at a high level on both ends of the floor and has the length and athleticism to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. He’s set to become a high-impact player alongside Trey Hutcheson at Linn-Mar.
Sam Kilburg, 6-1 SG, Iowa Barnstormers 15U (North Scott/2020)
The North Scott wing was named to the 15U all-tournament team, and provided intangibles all weekend for the champion Barnstormers. While we didn’t personally get a chance to see him over the weekend, he caught the eye of a few other Prep Hoops writers, and was written about by them with his standout play on the defensive end of the floor.