Hard Work Final: Prep Hoops Approved, D1 Approved?
The Hard Work Final in the Twin Cities provided viewers with a long list of scholarship talent. What players still waiting on a D1 offer deserve to get that call? Prep Hoops gives you the names.
Ariel BlandAriel Bland of Select Cave (6’7, 2020, Eden Prairie MN). The biggest take-a-way on Bland this summer has been his ability to change games defensively. In June we watched him win a game with a block at the Summer State Tournament and this weekend multiple Prep Hoops writers commented on how the length of Bland changed games on defense. Bland’s length around the basket usually takes away his man from being a half-court factor but the help side defense as a rim protector has been even more important. Bland has good lateral quickness and quick bounce to the basketball allowing him to help over on attacks adjusting, blocking, or swatting shots. Keep your eyes on his name. Ariel Bland will be a long list offer guy at some point (could be soon, could be with him as a 2021, could be this winter).
Vernon Bowles of Wisconsin RAP (6’6, 2020 West Allis Central). With Bowles it’s all going to come down to a school taking a chance on his height. He was listed at 6-foot-5 this winter, listed at 6-foot-6/6-foot-7 this summer, Bowles has been productive every time he’s stepped on a Prep Hoops Circuit court. Bowles hits with range once or twice a game plus a one/two dribble attack game beating bigs to the rim for well placed scores. Last winter Bowles had a 16/8 season for a state tournament team proving what they said in the crowd “Vernon’s teams always win”. Yesterday in the championship Vernon was at the foul line constantly as Comets size couldn’t move with him. Bowles made 8 of 13 foul shots and half his ten field goals for 18 championship points.
Gerald Gittens Jr of Wisconsin RAP (6’1, 2020, St John’s Military Academy). The 17u Hard Work Finals MVP was beloved by the Prep Hoops Network family of writers this weekend, and pretty much every weekend. Need a point guard next year and struggling to find one? We suggest that you call Scott Cook of Wisconsin RAP. Now. Gittens changed games defensively by meeting guards at the halfcourt line and forcing awful initial passes in the halfcourt set. His fast hands led to disruption as did his ability to change the directions of ball handlers. Attacking the other way there wasn’t a guard that had the quickness and strength to stop Gittens from getting to the rim and most of the time the help was pretty much worthless as well. Gittens took contact and ignored it for several timed finishes. Scored 30 in the title game with 10 of 15 field goal shooting and 10 of 12 shooting at the foul line.
Charlie KatonaCharlie Katona of Minnesota Fury (6’6, 2020, Shakopee MN). Whatever type of player was thrown in front of Charlie Katona the last three months Charlie has put numbers on them again and again. He rebounds in bulk and bullies his way to the rim. Several teams tried to guard Charlie with their third guard and all it became was Charlie going often right through that smaller player to score or get to the foul line. When bigger players were on Charlie he has the skill to get around them plus his three-point shot has been made with solid results all summer. The Fury, they have a reputation of beating shoe teams. Charlie scored 29 on Team Parsons (and their high major talent) two weeks ago and then had a double-double against Kevon Looney Elite/Y&R this past weekend. In his final game of the year Katona had 19 points against Heat West. UNCG and Furman are the schools that regularly call him from the D1 level.
Eli King of Minnesota Comets (6’3, 2022, Caledonia, MN). I will make this quick and simple. Eli King has the potential to be a top 75 level player nationally in his class. His athletic ability at 6-foot-3 is far advanced and Eli’s three point stroke is coming around. If you recruit players in the Midwest that are top 75/100/150 level you should start calling now. Today. Set up a visit, get in early. Marquette is ahead of the game in that regard and several others should join them soon. King was diving on the floor, attacking mobs and producing, and also guiding the Comets to the finals at point guard. He had games of 18/6/6 twice in the event and then had 15 points and six assists in the final.
Agwa Nywesh of Heat West (6’2 2020, Austin MN). Heat West had a high seed in this event because Agwa Nywesh led the team to an outstanding year. The one time addition of Dain Dainja was the X-factor in pushing Heat West to the final four but it was the work of Nywesh that got his team the high seed in the first place. Agwa’s crossover into an attack finished with a finger roll against Drake Dobbs was one of the biggest baskets of the Heat West win over Fury Zurn and it was Nywesh scoring 13 that was a big support.
Brandin PodziemskiBrandin Podziemski of Wisconsin RAP (6’5 2021, St John’s Military Academy). Brandin is a top ten player in his class in Wisconsin and likely rising. There is no wasted field goal attempts in the Podziemski game but a lot of points and wins attached to his name. He has more agility and lift than the defender is ready for and Brandin’s the type of high stamina player that destroys a team when they get tired. Brandin is a good rebounder and a high percentage shooter. Totaled 17 points and nine boards on 7 of 10 shooting in the championship. Has the feel of a future high major player, or at least a super offered player from the “next level” conferences (Mountain West, AAC, Conference USA, A10, etc)
Calvin Sisk of Minnesota Comets (7’0 2020, Rockford). Mr. Sisk. Calvin is a great story. He has grown eight inches since entering high school. As a sophomore Calvin said he had trouble simply catching the ball so he played just a little varsity. As a junior Calvin averaged nearly a double-double in his first real competitive action. The Comets program has always done a tremendous job of getting bigs touches and Sisk is no different. Calvin has made tremendous strides this year and that was highlighted in the title game by a run of seven straight points and two blocks that brought the Comets back tying the game. Sisk is a true seven footer that is going to need to add strength and more skill work before he is ready at the college level. BUT, Sisk has tapped into about two percent of his potential and a couple years from now teams are going to wish they had made that call.