Returning All-League Players: 2A Greater St. Helen’s League

<p>Today we will be taking a look at the 2A Greater St. Helen’s League all-league returners. These returners will each be looking forward to playing in a full season and I will be looking forward to watching the battles between them.</p> <p>We have to start at the top-- <strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1270613" first="Cavin" last="Holden"] (6’1 CG, RA Long HS)</strong>. The league’s best shooter was voted Player of the Year for the league. He will be looking to continue his reign this upcoming season.</p> [caption id="attachment_1292338" align="alignright" width="236"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Cavin-2-crop-1080x710-1632681732.jpeg"><img class=" wp-image-1292338" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Cavin-2-crop-1080x710-1632681732-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="236" height="155" /></a> Photo: Andre Waymond 2127 Media[/caption] <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Cavin is a </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">certified shooter with range. He can do it off the catch and off the dribble. He has good handles and a nice hesitation move that keeps defenders guessing since they respect his jumper so much. Look for another big year from Cavin. Stock is rising for the 2023 combo guard. Holden will receive help this year from returning forward,</span></p> [caption id="attachment_1292341" align="alignleft" width="134"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Aaron-2.jpeg"><img class=" wp-image-1292341" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Aaron-2-240x300.jpeg" alt="" width="134" height="168" /></a> Photo: Andre Waymond 2127 Media[/caption] <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1145922" first="Aaron" last="Ofstun"] (6’8 F, RA Long HS)</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">. The 6’8 forward is a returning 1st team all-league player. </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">He impacts the game on both ends. Defensively, he protects the paint and can guard in the pick and roll. </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Offensively, he’s trying to dunk </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">everything he can. He also has a soft touch on floaters plus range out to the three. His buzz has increased since AAU. I suspect there will be a lot of college coaches in Longview, WA to get eyes on him this season. Big-time stock riser for sure! The next returner on the list is </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1270616" first="Deacon" last="Dietz"] (6’1 CG, Mark Morris HS)</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">. The returning 1st team all-league guard had a great summer on the UAA circuit with WA Supreme 16U, and will be looking to carry that momentum into this upcoming season. Dietz is a dynamic athlete with a high motor. He’s best on transition; he’s an athletic finisher and does it with either hand. He was a threat from midrange last season but has worked this summer to add a consistent three-ball. Coaches buy stock now! Next, we go to the forward from Washougal, <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Yanni.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1274659 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Yanni-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="228" height="152" /></a></span><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1270717" first="Yanni" last="Fassilis"] (6’5 F, Washougal HS)</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">. Yanni is another returning 1st team all-league guy. </span>He is a force down low and beast on the boards. Last season he had multiple 20pt-15reb games. He’s a dual forward with the skill to attack from the perimeter and finisher in the paint. He creates for his teammates, too. Look for Fassilis to return to the 1st team by the season’s end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The next few players are all returners from the second team. Let’s start with <strong>2022 Henry Hughes (6’1 SG, Ridgefield HS)</strong> who possesses a unique ability to manufacture shots and make difficult ones. He’s worked to improve his handles and decision-making this off-season and will be looking to showcase that this season. He has a solid mid-range and can finish through contact pretty well, too. <strong>2022 Carson Knight (6’3 F, Ridgefield HS)</strong> will provide some assistance for Hughes. Knight does all the little things that contribute to winning. He defends, rebounds, gets 50/50 balls and plays unselfishly. He isn’t afraid to play physical, and plays with a motor. The last returner is <strong>2022 Alden Fay (5’9 PG, Columbia River)</strong>. Fay has a high IQ and moves well without the ball. He’s quick and crafty with the ball. Look for the experienced vet to be one of the top players in the league again.</p> <p>There are two spots open on both 1st and 2nd teams that were occupied by seniors from last season. Stay tuned for the next article to see who has the potential to be new additions at the season’s end.</p>