EYBL Nike Nationals: All Iowa Attack EYBL 17U – Team Review
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This past weekend at the EYBL Nike Nationals I saw several incredible players that were displaying their superior talent on the big stage. One of those teams being the All Iowa Attack . The AIA EYBL Program had teams from…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend at the EYBL Nike Nationals I saw several incredible players that were displaying their superior talent on the big stage. One of those teams being the All Iowa Attack . The AIA EYBL Program had teams from the ages of 15-17U out there competing against some of the best competition in the country. Their 17U team made it all the way to National Championship and fell just short. In this teams run they had some big games, that made statements to all the other programs watching. They showed that a team with a lot of guard depth, can spread the floor and make it a nightmare for teams to defend their action. In the Semi’s, this Attack team won by knocking down 15+ three points, while going about 50% from behind the three point line as a group. In the championship game the team that eventually ended up winning, the Cal Sparks 17U EYBL, were forced to play a zone with their limited roster. (7 Players total.) In the end, the mixture of Kennedy Smith scoring in the middle for the Sparks and missed shots by the Attack, led to a victory by the team from Cali. This Attack team should keep their heads held high . Most of the players on this rosters are playing up. Giving them some more chances at it over the next few years. It doesn’t make this loss hurt less, but it will keep everyone motivated and determined.
Lets meet the roster:
Ava Zediker Ava Zediker 5’10” | PG Dowling Catholic | 2025 State IA was the point guard that every coach wanted this past weekend, on the biggest of stages. She moves fluidly with the ball, isn’t afraid to make a pass into a tight window, rebounds as well as the next guard, and can knock down shot after shot from behind the arc on rotation. Zediker was a class act on the court over the past few days and it really showed to all the scouts watching. Too bad for everyone else that Creighton already has this one locked up, looking toward the future. Overall, Zediker is a team player, that is going to be a great point guard at the college level for the Bluejays.
Journey Houston Journey Houston 5’11” | CG Davenport North | 2025 State IA had a solid showing this weekend on both sides of the floor. Houston displayed her ability to knock down shots off of her step-back or get all the way to the basket off of the dribble. Not to mention that she did a great job of slashing to the basket and getting easy, open looks in transition. Moving forward, I’m just curious too where Houston’s game goes. She has a lot of god given ability and she works really hard. I’m sure she is going to keep up the dedicated work and be ready for her teams next tournament, coming up in a few weeks.
Highlights
Aili Tanke Aili Tanke 6’0″ | SG Johnston | 2024 State IA put together several nice performances in this tournament over the past few days and it should be recognized. Tanke was her normal self, knocking down deep shots from behind the arc and rebound the ball at a high rate. Whenever she had a mismatch she would be moved to the mid-post and go to work, if not she would take her opponent off of the dribble. Looking toward the future Tanke is going to be a nice piece for the Cyclones after her senior year of high school ball. She has every ability to be a great catch and shoot piece, if not more on a college floor. We will just have to wait and see.
Divine Bourrage Divine Bourrage 6’0″ | CG Davenport North | 2025 State IA may have put together the best tournament out of this entire team. Bourrage was a menace on both sides of the floor while recording high scoring games, against some of the biggest competition. Bourrages stock rose tremendously like weekend in my opinion. She showed her fantastic length at around 6 FT, with her ability to shoot from deep, or beat her opponent with a quick dribble move, going toward the hoop for a strong take. Bourrage is going to be in the debate for the #1 player out of the 2025 class here in Iowa this upcoming fall, she just needs to keep her head down and working hard. That work will pay off.
Grace Knutson Grace Knutson 5’10” | SG Cedar Falls | 2024 State IA made the most out of her opportunities this past weekend with this stacked roster she is on. The Drake commit is a talented, young player with good vision and a nice jumper. She moves well down the floor and isn’t afraid of contact near the basket in any form. On top of that, she has a good amount of skill moves to use before pulling out her patented jumper. I’m expecting a big high school season once again for Knutson. She is a dominate force in high school ball and she is going to let it fly for her senior year. I already know it and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold.
Libby Fandel Libby Fandel 5’11” | SF Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA has a high ceiling, with an elite scoring ability. She stands at around 6FT, with length and smarts. She understands how to pick when to attack VS when to create and distribute for the teammates around her. She is always willing to make the extra pass and works hard on the glass. After this weekend Fandel received an offer from BYU to play college ball. I’m sure her list of college offers is going to grow over the next few months. Her upside is next level and that’s easy to see. Overall, great showing for Fandel on this big stage.
Chloe Johnson is a star in the making and I think this weekend she kind of figured out what it’s like to play against the best out there. Johnson comes from a very well known program in Minnesota and is only in the 2028 class. She has a bright future ahead once she figures some more things out. She is going to have every tool to be one of the best players in the country in her class when it’s all said and done but until then, she needs to keep expanding her game. The reality is, on this team, this weekend, she wasn’t the star of the show. I think that will keep her motivated enough to take her greatness to heights. Places she can’t even fathom right now.
Highlights
When I first sat down to watch Jordan Speiser for the Attack this past weekend, I knew that she was good, but wow. Speiser is a marvelous talent, with nice size and a balanced shooting stroke. On top of that, she possesses great athleticism. She can move laterally in a hurry and is not afraid to dominate the middle at any given moment. When watching this team play, Speiser likes to spread the floor and shoot from deep. She was doing that in waves this weekend, while showing she was a consistent and fundamental player overall. A talent like this is a big time prospect at the D1 level and she caught a lot of eyes this weekend. I’m sure her phone has been buzzing non-stop since. We will just have to wait and see where she ends up. Whoever gets her, is getting a real gamer who can produce.
Lexi Carlsen Lexi Carlsen 5’8″ | CG Sycamore | 2024 State IL comes out of the state of Illinois to play for the Attack. Carlsen is a Northern Illinois WBB commit, with a nice handle and speedy game-style. She does the best with the ball in her hands while orchestrating the offense at an elite pace. When she catches at the three point line, she is always ready to let it fly. I think that Carlsen could really put together a great senior season and make some waves at NIU. She just needs to stay herself on the floor and have confidence in her work. Something everyone could do a little better of out there playing at a young age right now.
Highlights
Peyton McCabe will be joining Grace Knutson Grace Knutson 5’10” | SG Cedar Falls | 2024 State IA at Drake University, following their senior season this next year. McCabe is a quick guard, with an even quicker shooting stroke when she is on the floor. She can get hot from deep in a hurry and is really solid with her on ball defense. She understands to a T her ability on the floor and uses angles to her advantage, every moment she gets. I think that McCabe and Knutson could be a nice duo for each other in college. They both can really light it up from deep, while possessing nice lay up packages. They will definitely be fun to watch in the years to come on the college floor together.