Sunday’s Best #PHTwinCitiesTakedown
In this article:
Wayzata, MN – Twin Cities Takedown is complete, marking the end of the Prep Hoops Circuit for the 2023 season. It was a fun run! PHD is sad to see the AAU season over, but that means the high school…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWayzata, MN – Twin Cities Takedown is complete, marking the end of the Prep Hoops Circuit for the 2023 season. It was a fun run! PHD is sad to see the AAU season over, but that means the high school season is much closer!
ON Sunday, PHD kept a close on the teams from North Dakota and that is who we will highlight in this article. See below for comments and info on the players that stuck out on Sunday. These 14-ballers showed plenty of potential!
Sunday’s Best
He was remarkable on both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, Flavin scored 18 points, hit two triples, and was 2/3 from the line. He looked deadly in the catch-n-shoot game. Kaden is an in-rhythm shooter and his release is buttery-smooth. I was also impressed with his footwork. He scored via the slash and he put up points in transition. Flavin set the tone early and he stole the momentum on Sunday morning. He is not just a scorer, Kaden is a creator and a passer. Flavin dropped multiple dimes as he found slashers and shooters. He had no trouble breaking down the D and his floater game was impressive. Kaden was a STAR at the Takedown. PHD is expecting big things from Mr. Flavin this winter!
He is big, strong, and tough. Helm went for 13 points and was 1/1 from the line. Kaiden is skilled and he made timely plays. He scored in transition, produced with a vertical cut, turned the ball over on D, and I was impressed with his help defense. Helm had zero problems against the pressure defense from the Chill, and he picked up an old fashioned 3-point play. Helm had a very nice weekend at the Twin Cities Takedown.
The smooth lefty went for 12 points, 1 triple, and 1/1 from the line. Carson looked well versed in the floater game. He beat defenders off the bounce and he let the floater fly before he got to the BIGs in front of the rim. On multiple occasions, Sessing led the break in transition and dished to teammates for buckets. I thought his unselfishness and passing skills were impressive. Carson is deceptively/sneaky athletic. He showed hustle with O-boards and he hit a triple from the corner. Sessing is a combo guard that can score, create, and defend.
Highlights
He went for 12 points in the blowout win over MN Chill. Carter is an exceptional athlete and his arms are long. He hustles and gives extra effort. Tamari blocked a shot with quick reaction time. He tipped in multiple offensive rebounds because of his excellent anticipation & timing. I knew things were going Carter’s way when he attacked, was fouled (no call), fell down, threw up the shot in desperation, and it still went in. That was an impressive display of coordination and concentration. I liked how he ran the floor and scored with both hands at the rim. Tamari is a player to watch in Minot.
He was running with 3ND Hoops Fam this weekend and Makiya showed out on Sunday with 12 points. He hit two triples and was 2/2 from the charity stripe. Even though Makiya was playing up an age group, he still looked the part. Berryhill moves well without the ball, he spots up when teammates slash, he finds an angle to get the ball, and he shoots with fluidity. The youngster never seemed to be in a hurry when shooting, yet he had no trouble getting his shot off. That tells me that Makiya does the work before he gets the ball. He is a versatile defender with his length and his quick hands stole the ball like a pick-pocket. Berryhill is intriguing.
Austin was playing up two age divisions. You could not tell, his height and athleticism made him fit in. Khaliq is advanced skill wise, he can make all the moves and passes. He was a playmaker before halftime when he went coast-to-coast, weaved through the D, showed off his sick handles, and scored at the cup before the buzzer. Austin is a fearless and unconscious shooter. He knocked down many triples and a couple of them came from beyond college depth. On one of the the 3’s, Austin had a defender directly in his grill. I do not know how he could see the hoop, let alone get the shot off. Of course, he still knocked it down. Khaliq was also impressive in the lane, he put in multiple runners/floaters. His quick hands created TO’s and he is a fullcourt defender. I have not watched many players in the 2028 class but I can guarantee that Khaliq Austin Khaliq Austin 5’11” | CG Bismarck | 2028 ND is one of the best in the Dakotas!
He is a shooter! Brien cashed in multiple 3-pointers on Sunday morning. He does not need much room to get his shot off. His hands and feet are always ready and his shot is easy with no wasted movement. Kalon’s hot spot on Sunday was from the coffin corners. He also scored inside the arc. Brien had a turnaround bucket in front of the rim. He also caught in the short -corner, took one dribble, and went up for the 2pts. Brien looks like legit a offensive threat. You can not leave him alone outside of the arc!
He is long and a very quick jumper, this was evident on the jump ball. You could also see this when he was gathering in rebounds. In the second half, Davis threw down an athletic 2-handed SLAM. I knew he was athletic, but that play really showed it off! Davis also made plays as a cutter, by running the floor in transition, and he got to the line multiple times. I loved when Jordan sprinted the floor with a high hand and when he passed the ball out of the post. Davis is another young player with loads of potential.
He was a playing up an age group but you could not tell. Nelson is a long kid with advanced skills, especially for a player with his height. The BIG man from Dunseith had multiple AND1 scores. He showed good body control and coordination by scoring after contact. Nelson scored with O-board putbacks and with a smooth 15-foot jumper. I like his shot, Nelson has clean mechanics and his release is high & soft. The Dragons have to be excited about DeCoteau, he has a bright future in the game of hoops.
Highlights
He was high-yielding on the offensive glass. Fish crashed the boards hard. It did not matter if he was behind the 3-point line or around the block, he found a way to the ball and he did not let the opponent get a body on him. He scored on putbacks and was fouled on 2nd chance opportunities which led to FT’s. Fish has a good-looking stroke from beyond the arc and FT-line.
His height/length is a game-changer, that is for sure! Bior easily won the jump against a high quality athlete. This led to an early score for BTG. Keech gathered in multiple offensive rebounds. He showed his finishing ability with a 2-handed WHAM. Bior blocked and altered shots in the paint. He showed a good-looking shot from 15-feet and out. I thought he handled the ball well for his extreme size. You have to love his length, we all know the saying…”You can’t teach height!” Keech is a Stock Riser.
He is fast, no question about that! Zulu is a burner. It was fun watching him fly around the court. He is not just a speedster, Justin was also hustling all over the place. On defense, Zulu made an impressive play when he recovered on defense, and elevated to block a shot. The average player would not have made that play but with Zulu’s speed, he was able to get there and take the shot away. Justin played with heart. I loved how hard he competed, Zulu did not back down from an the athletic Northstar Titans squad.
This lefty played fast and aggressive. I liked the way that Cheaye pushed the tempo early in the game. On one occasion, BTG had a numbers advantage, Ethan attacked the D until they stepped up, and he delivered a perfect pass to a teammate for a score. I was impressed with his hustle, Cheaye was diving on the floor for loose balls. He showed off his outside shot by making a baseline 3-pointer.
Highlights
Leng Akol
Leng Akol
He got the scoring going right away off the tip. Keech tipped the ball directly to Leng and he attacked and finished with a lefty layup to get BTG on the board. They played a talented Northstar Titans team and Akol never backed down. He ran the floor hard, caught, and attacked for points. Leng appears to have a nice-looking shot as well. At 6’3″ and athletic, Akol has the potential to be a nice player.