ROCK Spring Classic: Sunday’s Best
Jadin Johnson, 6’3 G (Martin Bros 16u) He was energized and consequently dominant during a Martin Bros quarterfinal win over Rockford Ambassadors. Johnson was all over the court (and above it) during the Bros’ 20-point win, and when he’s fully…
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Continue ReadingJadin Johnson, 6’3 G (Martin Bros 16u)
He was energized and consequently dominant during a Martin Bros quarterfinal win over Rockford Ambassadors. Johnson was all over the court (and above it) during the Bros’ 20-point win, and when he’s fully engaged like he was in this one, and all weekend for that matter, he’s without a doubt one of the state’s very best players.
Cooper DeJean, 6′ G (Martin Bros 16U)
His length is striking and he pairs it with a strong build and huge hands, throw in some leaping ability and you come away with what you see below, the best dunk of the weekend, and one of the best jams we’ve ever seen from a high school player. It wasn’t just this one moment , though, DeJean was great all day, hitting clutch free-throws and coming up big, especially in the second halves of each of the three MB wins today.
Hey @PrepHoopsIA!
You think you can just come into Wisconsin and catch bodies like this? @Martin_Bros_AAU @cdejean23 pic.twitter.com/ObjbeiOG9y
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) April 15, 2019
AJ Wilkins, 6’1 SG (Iowa Intensity 16u)
The Grinnell sophomore shot 31% from deep last season for the Tigers, but he looked more like a 50%-plus shooter in our viewings of him this weekend. Wilkins canned four 3s against Wisconsin Sharks and scored 18 points in the win. It was one of the more entertaining grassroots games we’ve ever seen, and Wilkins was fun to watch.
Michael Keegan, 6’5 G (Martin Bros 17u)
Immediately during Martin Bros’ blowout win over Iowa Mavericks on Sunday morning, Keegan showed why he was able to post such monster numbers as a junior at Beckamn Catholic. He’s a legit 6’5 point guard and he can shoot it, and he was doing just that in the first few minutes of the Sweet 16 win. Keegan scored 10 points right of the bat in that game, and helped the Bros race out to a 16-3 lead.
Easton Darling, 6′ G (Martin Bros 17u)
No player that we saw this weekend scored more points in a game than Darling did during a blowout win over Team Y&R. The Winterset junior went for 32 points in that one, and was hotter than fish grease from beyond the arc, where canned seven 3s, which was also more than we saw any player hit during a single game at the event.
Isaiah Johnson, 6’2 G (Martin Bros 17u)
There’s a lot to like about this Waterloo West guard’s game, not the least of which is his leaping ability and willingness to attack the hoop with aggression. Martin Bros were down six at halftime to Breakaway Basketball in the semis, and he came out in the second half and almost single-handedly spurred on an 11-0 run to help get his team back into the lead. If there’s one thing that Johnson can do really well, it’s supply quick points.
Caleb Burks, 6’6 C (Iowa Intensity 16u)
There were a lost of flashy, dynamic athletes that took part in this tournament, but Burks was able to standout in other ways, and that’s with hustle, grit and toughness. That’s not to say the Waverly-Shell Rock sophomore is not a gifted athlete himself, he just gets it done in his own way. Burks was all over the floor, and seemingly always making the right play during Intensity’s thrilling win over Wisconsin Sharks.
Michael Duax, 6’5 G (Martin Bros 16u)
There’s a situation brewing in which it’s becoming routine to see Duax play exceedingly well. Even in games where it looks like he might not be a big factor, he’ll turn on the jets and always become a major factor. Case in point was the Martin Bros’ title game against Breakaway Basketball. Duax was scoreless in the first half, then erupted for 11 points in the second, including a pair of jams. Duax continues to utterly impress, he might be the best prospect in Iowa’s 2021 class.