Observations from Casteel at Higley

On Thursday February 4th I attended the 5A Casteel Colts at the 5A Higley Knights.   Here were some observations from the three games I viewed: #1 Both programs have good young prospects on all levels. #2 Both teams have found an underclassmen that can lead their programs. #3 Three freshman from Casteel stood out in the freshman game. [player_tooltip player_id="1128460" first="Noah" last="Lungo"] Casteel -A long and tall freshman has soft hands and a nice touch around the rim. He has a hook shots and uses the glass to his advantage. He is a good two-handed rebounder in traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="1128462" first="Matt" last="Franks"] Casteel -The younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id="706745" first="Deven" last="Franks"] is very good. Although undersized, he has great speed and a tight handle. He sees the court well and can score it. He has a nice pull-up off the dribble plus can shoot the catch-3. He is smart off the pick and roll. He played 3 qtrs of JV and freshman. [player_tooltip player_id="1128464" first="Isaiah" last="Kortas"] Casteel -A natural shooter can get hot quickly. He has a nice looking stroke and stays shot ready. He can relocate without the ball and fire away. He also can cut to the basket and score it. #4 One freshman from Higley stood out in the freshman game. [player_tooltip player_id="1128461" first="Jaevyn" last="Yancey"] Higley -A longer post player is a decent athlete and he plays hard. He rebounds out of his area and he can shoot it. He is comfortable to the 3 and in and will score on some buckets inside as well. #5 One soph and one freshman stood out from Casteel in the JV game. [player_tooltip player_id="1128451" first="Caden" last="Zurek"] Casteel -He grew 2 inches since last summer and looks like he will grow some more. Not many play harder then him. He has an elite motor to rebound the ball. He constantly keeps plays alive. He pulled down 15 rebounds impressively in and out of his area and can score it around the hoop. [player_tooltip player_id="1128463" first="Aidan" last="Schmidt"] Casteel -A sturdy framed wing can shoot it. He has a nice looking compact stroke and gets a clean look. He can drive it plus uses the floater well. He cuts to the basket smartly and can handle contact in the lane. #5 One soph stood out from Higley in the JV game. [player_tooltip player_id="1128452" first="Charlie" last="Randall"] Higley -Great feel for the game is a good ball handler and passer. He is a pure PG who can shoot the 3. The lefty has a good first step and floater game.   Varsity game: #6 Casteel has a legit chance to make playoffs this year. They are well coached group. #7 Higley has a shot too but will have to find more scoring night in and night out other then [player_tooltip player_id="1077594" first="Chuck" last="Bailey"].   #8 Here were the Varsity standouts: Casteel 68 Higley 58 (unofficial stats)   Casteel [player_tooltip player_id="827021" first="Carson" last="Ledbetter"] Casteel (14 pts 4 rebs 1 ast 1 stl) -The big man set the tone early in the game and Higley was forced to try and adjust to him as much as they could. He can seal his man inside and go to work. He has multiple moves with soft hands and a nice touch around the rim. He has a good awareness to pass the ball and they smartly play through him to get some inside out action. [player_tooltip player_id="1045540" first="Drey" last="Sherwood"] Casteel (15 pts 2 asts) -He may be their 6th man but he carried the torch for their guards in this contest. He was in a rhythm and Coach Windler rolled with the hot hand. He has a tighter handle and is lower to the ground and it is very hard to steal from him. His quickness and skill shine through. He has a pure jumper from deep and he can pull-up from mid-range. He is crafty to get into the lane and finish with either hand. [player_tooltip player_id="814522" first="Nathan" last="Ko"] Casteel (7 pts 1 reb 1 ast) -A skilled soph gets good playing time off the bench like Sherwood. He he can hit the mid-range jumper plus the catch-3. He is very smart to make plays and threw a pretty post feed to Ledbetter where only he could of caught it for the dime. Tyson Coleman F 6’4 2021 Casteel (19 pts 1 reb 1 ast 1 blk) -A tough senior who seems to be their glue guy. He plays multiple positions for them and can score it from inside and out. He can post you up plus hit the open 3. He rebounds in his area and can block the occasional shot. He plays an efficient and cerebral game. [player_tooltip player_id="1128459" first="Jeremiah" last="Newcombe"] Casteel (Pictured) (5 pts 3 asts 1 stl) -A pure PG who already starts for the Colts. He has great speed, a tight handle and can score it. He makes impressive passes with his right or left hand and is quick on the ball defensively. He can hit the floater plus the 3. The two-sport athlete will be a name to know in both hoops and football.   Higley [player_tooltip player_id="1077594" first="Chuck" last="Bailey"] Higley (25 pts 5 rebs 5 asts 1 stl) -A thicker lead guard who can score it in bunches. He can get downhill using his build/frame and score it through contact near the rim. He uses his long strides, tight handle and long arms to maneuver passed defenders. His pull-up from mid-range is a real weapon and is a gifted passer. He knows how to use the pick and roll and can drive and kick. He is one of the best rebounding guards in the soph class and can defend his position. [caption id="attachment_1128479" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/IMG_9694-crop-3226x2118-1612725158.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1128479 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/IMG_9694-crop-3226x2118-1612725158-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Bailey has been impressive so far this season.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1128430" first="Colbie" last="Morgan"] Higley (11 pts 2 stls) -A long 3 and D type who compliments Bailey well. He is a decent ball handler but is definitely best off the catch. He has a quick trigger with deep range. He is a true sniper launching from anywhere off the catch. His lateral quickness is impressive on the ball defensively to go along with his long arms. [player_tooltip player_id="1128443" first="Kameron" last="Bender"] Higley (8 pts 1 reb 2 asts 1 stl 1 blk) -An athletic combo guard makes good reads to teammates and can shoot it from the perimeter. He hit a couple 3’s and can get to the rim. His best skill may be his defense. He collects steals with his length and quickness and he had one of the better blocks at the rim I have seen a guard do in awhile. He met him above the rim and blocked his shot impressively.