21 Early Season Player Evaluations
Each month, PGH South Dakota will post player evaluations, from actual games viewed. In games thru Jan 4th at 9 sites, PGH saw 24 different teams in person; some were seen multiple times. Notes are posted below on hoopsters blossoming…
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Continue ReadingEach month, PGH South Dakota will post player evaluations, from actual games viewed. In games thru Jan 4th at 9 sites, PGH saw 24 different teams in person; some were seen multiple times. Notes are posted below on hoopsters blossoming in SD.
Madelyn Bragg – 6’1 Post- 2022 – Aberdeen Roncalli
Bragg of Abedeen Roncalli scores two – photo courtesy of Aberdeen NewsBragg was impressive, both in the JV & the varsity games at the two-day Cavalier Classic. Footwork and circulation through the paint continue to improve; her soft, left-handed touch predicts encouraging growth towards a college future. Coach Derek Larson develops raw talent quite often; nice work-in-progress here with Bragg.
Morgan Fiedler – 5’8 PG – 2022 – Aberdeen Roncalli
Getting to the forecourt was problematic for STM’s first four foes; hence, turnovers led to blow-out wins for the Blue Cav’s. Fiedler of the Green Cav’s furnished the answer, with sure-handed skills, 14-pts, and foot speed. The previous night, versus Castlewood, she added 15 points as well as working smartly in the zone defense which led to the 46-40 win over a Top 5 Class B opponent. Very quick and agile; stay tuned !!
Mariah Winegar – 5’10 W – 2020 – Aberdeen Roncalli
Returning all-state wing scored 14-pts Friday night, and stayed in the double digits Saturday with 14 more. As the team’s anchor, Winegar’s experience sparks anticipation of ball movements, positioning her to create turnovers in the low block or on the perimeter. Roncalli will be at the state tournament again in 2020, with Winegar as ringleader.
Zoey Wohlleber – 5’6 PG – 2022 – Waubay/Summit
Substantial upside showed in a (unique?) capability to flow thru the junk defense thrown up by Ipswich. On the dribble, ZW would recognize open teammates, or score with either hand, on the float, off the “O” board, or splash from the corners. She scored sixteen and could have had twenty assists if her teammates finished normally. Flag ZW for another six-plus years to entertain us. Still not sure how she drove the baseline so many times – magic?
Bailey Pitz – 5’5 PG – 2021 – Ipswich
Hustle is her middle name and splashing trey’s is her game. She made four to force Waubay to loosen up the tight zone. Lanes opened to drive, to rebound, and to physically exhaust the no-depth Dragons. Unless and until the pace was forced, W/S’s early 3rd quarter lead of 12-pts likely would have held up. Pitz figured it out and made the Tigers’ second-half changes successful.
Halle Heinz – 5’5 – PG – 2021 – Ipswich
The acrobatic energy displayed was awesome. Heinz scored 27-pts Friday night against Sanborn Central. Less than 24-hours later, Heinz was at 18-pts & closer to 20% on attempts with her quick release and lateral quickness. Heinz’ defense is stellar, poking and tipping balls often. Ya gotta love the 100% effort she used to score, to harrass, and to run the floor. Easy to forsee another ten trey’s in one game, as she did one year ago.
Jaecy Engebretson – 5’9 W – 2020 – Milbank
Jaecy popped in 19-pts to key Milbank’s first win of the season, 48-27 over Webster Area. Mainly done off offensive rebounding, she does splash 2-or-3-three pointers a game. And, a mid-range jumper rounds out her scoring skills. Jaecy defends the foe’s best scorer, so her game time is filled with action, which suits her style – aggressive with a sprinkling of attitude.
Isabella Anderson – 5’7 PG – 2025 – Milbank
As written earlier, her ball skills earned the varsity roster spot. Now six games in, she’s a starter with an increased comfort level. She drives hard to the rim,and dishes when options arise. Summer ball with/against older, smarter, faster, larger athletes could induce fusion within Anderson’s confidence. Then, fans get to watch a fun trajectory to dominance.
Markee Shaving – 5’6 PG – 2020 – Cheyenne/Eagle Butte
She plays with good movements and floor vision, which puts points and rebounds on her stat line. Scored 7 in loss to STM and again lost Saturday to Todd County, 68-55.
Miranda Vines – 5’10 W – 2020 Cheyenne/Eagle Butte
A post patrol who controls the lane inside, rebounds with strength, and prefers to pass. Nice skill set. Vines scored 7 against STM.
Daci Lends His Horse – 5’3 PG – 2023 – Cheyenne/Eagle Butte
A quick, alert point guard, with floor sense and bullet passes upcourt in transition. Basketball IQ surely is her major asset, altho anticipation on defense gets tips and steals.
Chloe Holt – 5’9 W – 2024 – Aberdeen Christian
One of five eighth-graders that promise progress. Holt attacked the paint and boarded ambitiously. Only one junior on the roster and 5 sophomores – young guns in ’21 ?
Grace Kaiser – 5’10 C – 2022 – Aberdeen Christian
Popped in 27-pts vs McLaughlin; following 6-pts Friday night hosting Warner. Kept Knights ahead with consistent presence in middle, and by scoring tough baskets inside.
Delaney Klosterman – 5’7 PG – 2020 – St Thomas More
Klosterman picked up more work as three injuries took starters down. Forearm fractures, the high ankle sprain, and a blown ACL meant more floor minutes. Younger players need to be mentored. She works with purpose and focus. She leads by running the point, understanding the offense, and being intensely competitive. Top two in scoring & rebounding. Big Time Contributor !
Scarlet Grimshaw – 5’5 PG – 2023 – St Thomas More
When thrust into varsity competition, freshman Grimshaw responded with veteran-like execution and confidence. Scarlet runs, dribbles, scores, passes, and screens. Maybe her 2023 class can keep STM’s renown “pipeline” of young aggressive talent full-to-the-brim.
Jenna Jacobson – 5’2 PG – 2021 – St Thomas More
Jacobson routinely plays much larger than the quintessential, 5’2 blue-eyed blonde. Reviewing stat sheets, Jacobson rebounds, assists, and steals in the team’s Top Three. So, making the winning three versus Roncalli on a designed play merely confirms she has it all: physical tools, gumption, savvy, and learned skills. Coaches and team knew it; now fans believe, too.
Devon Archambault – 5’10 W – 2020 – McLaughlin
Archambault made hay driving the middle versus Aberdeen Christian – 25 points worth. Singlehandedly, she kept the Mustangs afloat and alive thru three quarters.
Kaden Comer – 5’6 PG – 2021 – Hill City
Comer delivers on every goal for point guards. Her handles, spirit, alert quickness, coach-on-the-floor-personality, scoring touch, and IQ deserve more applause and fan recognition.
Kennadi Rising – 5’11 W – 2021 – RC Stevens
RC Stevens is building a championship season. Game-by-game, Rising and her mates perform quicker, sharper, and more efficently than the previous contest . She scores from downtown, drives, and rebounds on offense. A complete player, her defense is even better.
Courtney Brown – 5’7′ W – 2022 – Dell Rapids St Mary
A natural lefty, she hits floaters, rim runs, and stop-n-pop’s. DRSM migh be on the road back to prominence with Brown and speedster Ella Heinitz in collusion. With slick ball handles that confuse defenders, Brown will be watched closely at Saturday’s 11:30 am contest against Ipswich in the DSU/Mustang Seed Classic.
Darah DeKam – 6’0 W – 2021 -Castlewood
Recovery from an ACL surgery has no guarantees. Just one year into recovery, DeKam moves with quick cuts, jab-steps and serious inside pushes/post up’s. Does make you gasp every now and then. DeKam’s wellness is obvious, and she went outside to drop a three-ball against Roncalli, part of her 9-total points.