-8 points

-Strong lefty

-Nocked down two clutch freethrows with 15 seconds left in the 4th to tie game and sent it to OT

-Tough to handle on the block, very strong posting up and mismatch vs guards because of his strength

-Heads up play on OB Play throwing ball off the back of defender, grabbing it and scoring and easy two

-Tough up and under finish for an and 1

-Strong fast break finish vs buzzy to give team an offensive spark

-Made a perfect end to end pass to start fast break that lead to hanssen going to the freethrow line

-Grabbed a tough O Board to start the 4th quarter

The lefty is a solid bucket from deep. His handles are nice and decision making is elite. When Tate wants to get to the paint he does and makes great passes while in traffic. He plays mistake free basketball. Gerdes is very strong and knows how to use his strength against big taller opponents. Tate should lead a very talented bunch of players back to a state tourney contending team again this season.

-12 points, 1 triple, 1/2 FT’s

-Warwick was down most of the game, dramatic comeback win

-Cut & athletic score over the D in the first half

-Came up with an important steal late, pushed the tempo the other way

-2nd half transition score, short jump shot with the D on him tightly

-Absorbed contact nicely & finished

-Dove on floor late in game, Warwick got the timeout to save the possession

-Huge bucket late with 30 sec remaining

-Impressive strength & athleticism

-Athletic lefty

-3-ball left wing, first points of the game

-Cashed a deep step-back 3 from the right corner

-Musser tipped a miss & Tate snatched the O-board

-Made the extra pass, hit Musser for a triple

-Deep penetration late first half, kickout assist to Ellwein for the buzzer 3

-PNR roll, fouled at the hoop, 2/2 on FT’s

-Drive down right side, 2-handed skip pass to Ellwein for a triple

Evaluation in the 17U all-tournament article. He was a warrior.

Tate is going to have to ice-up or get in a cold bath after the tournament because he’s been the most physical guard at the tournament. He’s dishing out a ton of contact and he’s absorbing a ton of body blows as well. He’s built for it. Offensively he’s taking it after contact going straight at the rim to his left hand.

I’ve mentioned it a few times, but for our new subscribers, Gerdes has transitioned into a point guard after being predominantly a wing player. The transition has improved his stock and good things happen when he has high usage. In Omaha, he was getting heavily pressured and he dealt with it well in most cases. His strong and muscular frame help him to handle and power through some feisty defenders. He got into the lane and lived there all tournament. Mostly on a defensive rebound and push. Some lengthy defenders got to his shot when he didn’t float it. When facing a super lengthy defender, I would recommend him to not get so deep into a body because that’s cause for them to swat down and block his shot.

-20-6 Record, 4th Place at State

-15.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg, 50 FG%, 40 3FG%, 29 made 3’s, 71 FT% & 62 made

-Impressive passer/court vision, next-level athleticism, explosive & playmaking lefty

Really really like Gerdes in a point guard role. He’s a natural at the position and his control of the ball and the action is impressive. A great distributor that can move the ball quickly up-court in transition and zips it around in the half court with crisp passes. Can handle the ball at a quick pace while still staying under control and poised. The trait that really sets him apart and sends him up the board as a prospect is that he’s been shooting the three at a high level and with volume. I know he’s being recruited for football, but I think he could be a DII point guard just fine. A natural leader.