Standouts From Memorial versus Wakeland
There are two things I look for when picking games to attend: prospects and entertainment. Wakeland versus Memorial presents that with fans that travel well and high-level ballplayers. Memorial’s talented core of underclassmen would fall to Wakeland’s sweet-shooting Swiss Army…
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Continue ReadingThere are two things I look for when picking games to attend: prospects and entertainment. Wakeland versus Memorial presents that with fans that travel well and high-level ballplayers. Memorial’s talented core of underclassmen would fall to Wakeland’s sweet-shooting Swiss Army knife filled team.
Shannon Lowry continues to impress as a talent. He comes in with a college ready frame and an overwhelming strength for most at the high school level. He’s a superb athlete with the skills to operate the perimeter and be your best defender. Before retiring early in the third he did a really good job of limiting Cooper Cisco’s production.
Daylen Stewart brings a calm intensity and a defensive mindset. He’s come up with timely steals and blocks all season. The turnovers he creates aren’t gambles; they’re precise and usually result in an additional possession. In Stewart, you’re getting a combo guard who can guard multiple positions without giving up size.
Drew Steffe continues to display takeover and IQ beyond many freshmen I’ve seen this season. Down by double digits and accounting for Wakeland’s foul trouble Steffe drove to the basket not to draw a foul but to score with confidence. Regardless of bumps in the road, he scored including 9 points from the free-throw line and 11 points from the field showcasing his mid-range and perimeter stroke.
Avery Jackson was a revelation at point. He gave you athletic finishes, smart passes, and showed range on his jumper. He’s a quick, shifty guard that makes plays when plays break down. He’s a sophomore so get used to hearing this name around Texas for two more years.
It’s simple Josh Thrower the basketball player starts with amazing physical traits and ends with knowing how to use it. The 6-7 combo forward disrupts you at the rim and the perimeter. His slight frame doesn’t stop him from banging with bigs, he gave up at least 50 pounds in this matchup and still had a very productive game. He’s a capable passer with the ball skills to maneuver in tight spaces. Another sophomore for you to keep an eye on.
Wakeland’s Cooper Cisco wraps athleticism and shooting into a slim 6-4 frame. His understanding of running off screens and tight release makes him a dangerous off-ball scorer. Put him in an iso situation he’s quick enough to create space for a shot then drive by the defender before their feet are set.
Michael Niemann is, of course, a sophomore with a deep scoring bag. Within 12-15 feet he converts floaters at a high rate, shoots the ball phenomenally, and understands the importance of moving the ball.
Keynan Russell has the perfect build for a traditional big. Listed at 6-8, 240 he hounds boards cuts well from the dunker spot, and has soft hands. He plays with an edge and is willing to play physical every possession.