PnR Spring Showcase: Saturday notes

Saturday the 2011 Pump N Run Spring Showcase concluded with the Wisconsin Swing taking home the championship trophy after a convincing showing. Zak Showalter, 2013 standout Nick Fuller, and Luke Fischer led the bunch as they beat Minnesota teams Heat Elite, Southside, and the Pump N Run in bracket play. At the 15s level the Minnesota Elite took home the title trophy led by point guard Andrew Grosz.

Impressive may not do the Swing's performance this weekend justice. They controlled the Heat Elite in the quarters jumping ahead 31-16, they fought past the Southside to win 78-64, and they jumped ahead of the Pump N Run 16-2 and controlled the game the rest of the way. In terms of complete team play the Swing were most impressive and it was refreshing to see a group of spring ball all star players come together to run an offense with so much ball movement, player movement, and continuity.

At a tough and athletic 6-foot-2 Showalter has offers from NDSU and SDSU plus interest from Missouri Valley and Colonial league squads and he would be a great fit there. This past weekend not only did he show toughness in his attack but his skill level is fair as well. Then the Swing had Fuller who at 6-foot-5 was a constant producer and looks like a future potential high major guy. Add in 6-foot-9 Luke Fischer and the Swing had a trio that Minnesota defenses were unable to collectively slow down.

At the 15s level Minnesota Elite brought home the top trophy beating the talented Minnesota Pump N Run team 34-33. The big notable was Grosz as defenses had trouble stopping him all weekend. Grosz, a Minnetonka 8th grader, had multiple 20 plus point games over the weekend and his growth running an offense was evident. Then in the final with his team down Grosz scored a step back three-pointer off the bounce and the game winning baseline runner to give his team the trophy.

Player Notes

The most talked about Minnesota player of the weekend was definitely Kyle Bauman who played with WOTN. Bauman looks bigger in every part of his body but get this, he also looks more agile. Kyle looks a legit 6-foot-8 right now with the arms of a sophomore football player in college, a thick neck, the chest of a WWE wrestler, and strong legs. Nobody moved him all weekend but yet somehow he's moving better. Kyle had a drop step dunk that had all college coaches and AAU gurus in Bloomington talking, there was a tip-dunk in transition, and the way he sat down in his stance and moved his feet doesn't even seem logical. Bauman is getting much better from all angles and he'll still make you eat an elbow if you get near him when he's grabbing boards.

Eastview's Darin Haugh had a great weekend for the Southside. He was consistent hitting multiple threes each game, sitting down and defending with aggression, and keeping the offense running with precision.

Joey King had a great Saturday starting his day with 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Minnesota Magic. Then in the following game he produced 15 points and 12 rebounds going head to head with Zach Huisken who totaled two points and four rebounds. King took Huisken away from the cup and put the ball on the deck to turn the corner on Huisken for some production. Joey also scored from the perimeter over the outstretched arms of Huisken and the rest of the SW Star bigs.

I'm not sure any player upped his stock more this weekend than 6-foot-5 wing

Kevin Jensen from Chanhassen playing with the Pump N Run. His mid-range jumper was consistent and he made it on both ball reversals and putting the ball on the deck going around ball screens. With his combo of height and shooting stroke Jensen has put himself in scholarship contention.

Also impressive Saturday was Jonah Eisenshank of Rocori/Pump N Run. Jonah is physically more gifted than most 16 and Under players as he's strong and runs well at 6-foot-5. His combination resulted in regular point production.

Maybe the most athletic play of Saturday was Wally Ellenson jumping a passing lane on the left wing, attacking up the floor and dribbling behind his back from left to right, attacking the lane, elevating, and then getting turned in the air and fouled but still reverse dunking on a Swing player despite not seeing the rim.