Grassroots Season Preview: Total Package Elite 2021

With the hope that basketball will soon return with the start of the AAU season, here is a preview of one of the programs in the state. Total Package Elite has built a strong foundation in the state and continues to develop talent for all levels. Here is a brief preview of the 2021 team with a few players to keep an eye on. <table class="tablepress" dir="ltr" style="width: 100%; height: 415px;" border="1" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="10"> <colgroup> <col width="100" /> <col width="100" /> <col width="100" /> <col width="100" /> <col width="100" /></colgroup> <tbody> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Name"}">Name</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"HT"}">Height</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"POS"}">Position</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Class"}">Class</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"HS"}">High School</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="874194" first="Weston" last="Hamby"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">5’9</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">PG</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">Manchester</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="647227" first="Will" last="Shank"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">6’3</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">PG</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">Fort Wayne Canterbury</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="783208" first="Preston" last="Barker"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">6’4</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">SG</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">New Haven</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="874207" first="Thomas" last="Latham"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">6’5</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">SF</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">New Haven</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="963923" first="Sam" last="Strycker"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">6’4</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">PF</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">Fort Wayne Carroll</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="874139" first="Quinn" last="Harmon"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">6’3</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">SG</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">Homestead</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="783230" first="Cole" last="Richmond"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">6’2</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">SG</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">Dekalb</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">Brayden Payne</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">5’11</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">PG</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">Fort Wayne Concordia</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 40px;"> <td style="height: 40px; width: 24.2908%;">[player_tooltip player_id="963939" first="Jack" last="Royster"]</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 20.6862%; text-align: center;">6’4</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 5.93534%; text-align: center;">SF</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 19.0954%; text-align: center;">2021</td> <td style="height: 40px; width: 46.2566%;">Fort Wayne Canterbury</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> One Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="874207" first="Thomas" last="Latham"] [player_tooltip player_id="874207" first="Thomas" last="Latham"] has continued to progress over his high school career. Latham has noticeably put work into his frame and has added strength to his length. As the tallest player on the roster, he has the ability to be a matchup nightmare on the offensive end. His touch around the basket with both hands has improved since last summer and he is becoming more of a consistent threat from the outside. As Latham’s confidence grows in his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket, his vision has been impressive. Throughout the high school season, there were many instances of him making great passes off the bounce. He is a high-IQ player with developing skills, definitely a player to watch and keep an eye on if the AAU season takes place. One Player We Need to See More: [player_tooltip player_id="647227" first="Will" last="Shank"] [player_tooltip player_id="647227" first="Will" last="Shank"] has been a consistent contributor for Total Package Elite over the past AAU seasons but started to shine this season as the focal point of the offense for Fort Wayne Canterbury. Shank has great length as a guard and is crafty off the bounce. One thing that Will has been developing is consistency with his outside shot. He has been known for his ability to get to the basket but needs to add the long ball to his repertoire to round out his offensive game. Shank understands defensive rotations well and seems to always be in the position to make a play on the offensive end. He needs to become more of a consistent presence on defense and on both backboards. Hopefully the AAU season begins soon and he will show his growth. One Player That Should Surprise: [player_tooltip player_id="783208" first="Preston" last="Barker"] [player_tooltip player_id="783208" first="Preston" last="Barker"] has been putting in work with his quickness and lateral movement. He’s a solid guard with the ability to finish in the paint and get to the rim. Recently, he’s shown the explosiveness to get above the rim and finish through contact. Barker has always had a sound skill set with the ball in his hands but hasn’t been able to use some of it with quicker defenders. He is poised for a breakout here soon. He rebounds well on both ends and is able to matchup one through four on the defensive end with his improved quickness and strength.