Scouting Report: Rock Canyon
It’s natural, after a long layoff like the one Colorado teams experienced over the past two weeks, for there to be some rust. Shots might be a little off, execution slightly wayward. Rock Canyon coach Kent Grams knew that could…
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Continue ReadingIt’s natural, after a long layoff like the one Colorado teams experienced over the past two weeks, for there to be some rust. Shots might be a little off, execution slightly wayward.
Rock Canyon coach Kent Grams knew that could be the case, but he also knew there was one thing his Jaguars team could control when it got back on the floor Saturday against Smoky Hill.
“We emphasize effort all the time,” Grams said. “We never want to get outworked. There’s too many good teams out here in Colorado now to where if you don’t bring it every game, there’s a good chance you are going to get beat.”
Effort was not an issue for Rock Canyon in a 74-47 victory over the Buffaloes. Paced by elite sophomore guard Sam Masten, a top-10 player in the state regardless of classification, the Jaguars shared the ball, played aggressive defense and executed well after shaking off some early cobwebs.
Outside of Masten, this is not a team that blows you out of the water with its athleticism. But RC has the look of a team that can make a deep playoff run because of its ability to play great team basketball, stick within defined roles and play with great enthusiasm.
As for Smoky Hill, the young Buffs play with heart but were simply outmatched. Anthony Hardin’s groups should get a big boost soon when several of its talented transfers become eligible. For now, a young team is taking its lumps, but he talent and effort of this team offers promise of a bright future.
We’ll post a prospect spotlight onto the national Prep Hoops page on Masten later this evening or early tomorrow. For now, here’s a closer look at some of the players who help make Rock Canyon tick, and some notes on some Smoky Hill standouts.
Rock Canyon
Isaac Hirsch, 6-4 senior guard/forward
A smart, heady player who makes winning plays for his team. Hirsch is a Swiss Army Knife of a player who can fill a stat sheet in multiple ways. Can step out and hit the corner 3 with solid consistency. Embraces the grind of the defense end and attacks loose balls with zeal. He chased down a long rebound and finished through contact to help Rock Canyon pull away in the third quarter, then hit a big 3-pointer early in the fourth. Hirsch is a great leader who is willing to do just about anything a coach would ask, and he could be a productive role player at some small school somewhere.
Payton Berman, 6-3 senior guard
A distribute-first guard with solid vision. He’s strong with the ball and is a good passer in traffic. Good strength and can finish amid contact with both hands. Good understanding of defensive zone concepts, and Grams calls him probably the team’s best on-ball defender. Could be capable of playing at the small-school level if the right opportunity presents itself, in large part because he’s a guy you can trust to handle the ball and play hard defense.
JT Bley, 6-5 junior forward
Strong and active post player who plays with solid energy. Solid touch around the basket and an understanding of how to help with Rock Canyon’s zone defense principles. Wasn’t on display Saturday, but Bley has a nice mid-range game that can help create space for others to operate.
Noah Beck, 6-4 senior guard forward
Beck has good length and footwork that always him to guard multiple positions on the defense end. Made superlative freshman Kenny Foster work hard for everything he got Saturday. Also a good catch-and-shoot player with the ability to stretch defenses from the perimeter. Those skills coupled with a high basketball IQ will give him the chance to be a strong contributor at the Division III level or thereabouts. He’s a very high-academic player.
Colin Rardin, 6-3 junior guard
Not many teams have the luxury of having a player like Rardin come off the bench. He’s probably Canyon’s second-most skilled player behind Masten. Fantastic long-range shooter who is great off catch-and-shoot in transition and who can release it quickly off screen action. Good length that helps him player taller than his 6-3 frame. While not explosive, he’s decently athletic and runs well in transition. Some him come impressively off screens on Saturday and bury jumpers mid-range. Had a great summer with Colorado Chaos and continues to show improvement. His stock is rising.
Eric Jonas, 6-2 senior guard
Solid role player who can handle the ball well against pressure. Another decent shooter who can help the Jaguars stretch opposing zones.
Smoky Hill standouts
Will Becker, 6-7 sophomore forward
Becker is a very disruptive force on the defensive end. Long and athletic, he’s already one of Colorado’s top rim protectors. The best part is Becker is a sponge with a high ceiling who has seemingly expanded a new area of his game each time we see him. Has a good mid-range jump shot that will translate to the perimeter with continued to grow.
Kenny Foster, 6-3 freshman guard
The mark of a great player is what he does when his shot isn’t falling or the scoring isn’t coming easily. The Jaguars made life very difficult for Foster by sending multiple defenders at him throughout the afternoon. Foster’s pull-up jumper wasn’t falling, so he became active in other ways, blocking shots, finding teammates off of pick-and-roll action when defenders flew at him and producing turnovers on the defensive end. His ability to continue affecting the game when things aren’t going his way (he was also dealing with a painful rib injury) is what makes Foster a superlative player who’s maturity supersedes his age.
Mue Muewakkil, 6-2 sophomore guard
The best thing we’ve seen out of Mue is his aggressiveness and the heart he plays with. He still has some raw elements to his game and can improve as a ball-handler and decision maker, but he’s the kind of player who can go out and will himself into a bucket, playing with an edge that isn’t always easy to find.