Prep Hoops Hardwork Season Kickoff Top Performances: 2026
Top competition brings out top performances. The Community First Champion Center in Appleton WI saw plenty of both this weekend. Saturday the 2026 division seen prospects show up and show out. Some that I had seen before and plenty of…
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Continue ReadingTop competition brings out top performances. The Community First Champion Center in Appleton WI saw plenty of both this weekend. Saturday the 2026 division seen prospects show up and show out. Some that I had seen before and plenty of new faces ready to jump into the new Prep Hoops Season
Danny Houlihan Danny Houlihan 6’4″ | SF New Trier | 2026 State IL 6’4″ G/W New Tier HS 2026 – Full PackagernThis prospect showed out in the game I viewed like few young players do. If I had a word for his game, it would be ‘moxy’. In the game I loved his approach to making an impact for his club. He could hit the three and wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger. The form was solid so improvement and consistency will come easier as he goes through school. Was a willing passer, who displayed an IQ to make the right pass to open players. Thought he worked the boards solid and then created action off of his work. He then showed IQ again by making smart cuts and/or screens.
Highlights
Vincent Depalo
Vincent Depalo
Vincent Depalo 6’7″ W 2026 New Tier HS – Full PackagernHigh IQ player who did a lot of small things to make a very solid impact on his game. The most notable thing that jumped out at me was that he is a pass first big. He was very deliberate in this aspect and was talented. After controlling a rebound, he made an excellence head up down the court Laker pass to a streaking teammate. A few more examples came from an offensive set his team ran, where he would receive a pass at the high post, pivot and make solid decisions on where to deliver the ball and to the correct teammate. As he moves through high school and makes gains in the strength department his athleticism should make the same gains as well.
Andy Saur
Andy Saur
Andy Saur 6’3″ W 2026 Wisconsin EliternThis kid was around the ball and action a lot. Thought that, other than his activity, there was three things that jump out at me. First, was footwork on a particular drive. This allowed him to create the move to get around the defender and get to the hoop for a finish. Second, a simple strong drop step in a post move. These are easier said than done, especially when a body is draped on your back. Third, was a defensive play in the post where he stopped his man from scoring and thereby creating transition the other way. These were not the only things about this player’s game, he was one of the main cogs of his team, I just thought that these foundational items could help tell us what his future could be: bright.
Eddie Vinson
Eddie Vinson
Eddie Vinson 5’10” PG 2026 Wisconsin EliternHe put together one of the best performances out of a lead guard position on the day. While his game wasn’t perfect it was pretty darn sweet. Leadership was on point and needs to be pointed out. On a play where his teammate misses a open 3-pointer, instead of getting on him you saw the prospect try to encourage his pal by coaching shot mechanics. At one point, he made an ill-advised drive into a crowd, under the hoop, but he knew how to draw the foul, going to the line, making up for it. When the game got tight and late, he really made a statement. He attempted a nifty steal, made crucial free throws, to tie the game, then as cool as it gets, he hits a baseline floater for the game winner.
Max Davis
Max Davis
Max Davis 6’0″ G 2026 LaCrosse Central & Wisconsin 26ersrnHe can go! He just seemed to play at a faster rate of speed, than his peers, and it was enjoyable to see what that ability could create. There were a few times where I said, ‘oh that was a nice drive’ or ‘what a jump stop finish’, then ‘wow that spin move was a thing of beauty’. We need to keep checking in on this one to see how he develops.