Scouting and Highlights: Zach Goodline (2019)
Zach Goodline is a 5’10” point guard for Coloma High School/West Michigan Lakers. He is one of the most explosive scorers in the state of Michigan, regardless of class. He surpassed 1,000 points scored in his sophomore campaign, which is mind-blowing given most players don’t reach 1,000 points in double that time. Goodline may be known for his flashy handles and crafty, double-clutch finishes but he is much more than just a 1v1, iso scorer.
Given his height and average athleticism, it is hard to see him picking up any D1 offers. With that being said, his skills and scoring ability are definitely D1. Given the fact that he’s fairly young yet, it is very much possible that he could grow a few inches and/or develop more athleticism and strength.
Here’s my take on Goodline’s game:
Strengths:
Scoring – Without a doubt the strongest part of his game. Some guys just seem to have a knack for putting the ball through the net and Goodline is that guy. He scores at all three levels consistently – making him a threat anywhere on the floor. He’s easily capable of putting up 30 points in a game if not focused on by the defense.
Handles/Playmaking – His handles allow him to break a defender down and create offense for himself or his teammates. However, just because you can create doesn’t mean you can be an effective playmaker. In Goodline’s case, a very underrated part of his game is ability to make plays with his teammates. Despite his score-first mentality, he has excellent vision and hits his teammates with accurate, on-time passes.
Finishing – Goodline finishes at a surprisingly high rate given his size and athleticism. This can be attributed to his ability to absorb the defender with his body, then double-clutch and finish the layup under or around the taller defender. His finishing ability is consistent, efficient and, most importantly, under control. He also has a nice little floater in his arsenal if necessary.
Shooting – He’s an able shooter from anywhere on the court. While maybe not considered a sniper, if left open he’ll make the defense pay more times than not. His ability to pull-up and hit the jumper off the screen makes him nearly impossible to guard in combination with his ability to blow-by and finish.
Areas For Development:
Defense – His defense will definitely need some work if he wants to play D1 or even D2. His actually ability to defend isn’t the biggest issue; rather, it’s his habit to take plays off on defense. This isn’t tolerated by college coaches and is detrimental to any team that is serious about winning. It is understandable given the enormous workload Goodline carries offensively, however, that does not mean it is excusable.
Athleticism – This may be the only piece needed to make him a complete player. He has everything offensively except the ability to finish above the rim – adding a few inches on his vert and a few pounds in muscle may change that. If not, becoming more athletic would definitely improve Goodline’s defense. He still has two years before college, which is plenty of time to add muscle and become quicker, faster and stronger.