McClintock Shootout: Top CG/SG’s on Day-1

On Monday December 27th I attended the annual McClintock Shootout in Tempe, AZ. 

This prestigious event has been going on for 30+ years.

Most of the 16 participants will be in the playoffs. I viewed 12 of the 16 teams as I watched the first six early games. 

Here were some of the standout CG/SG’s on Day-1:

2022

Easton Reagan Easton Reagan 6'4" | CG Desert Mountain | 2022 State AZ Desert Mountain

A crafty and skilled guard keeps showing why many schools are interested in him. He was rolling from deep with the catch and shoot 3 making it look easy. He is a good decision maker who reads the defense quickly. He gets to his spots on the floor and can bounce off of defenders. He scored 20 points in his contest. 

Nikko Pentelute Nikko Pentelute 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert 

He is all about his strength and skill. He can pull-up, which is usually his best way to score or also get downhill with his thicker frame. He is a good rebounder for position and has improved as a passer and his ball handling. He shows up the court vision, drive and kick or makes a pocket pass to a post player for the assist or hockey assist. His step back off of a defender is impressive. He also has good defensive awareness to collect steals. This kid is a winner.  

Pascal Volz Pascal Volz 6'1" | CG McClintock | 2022 State AZ McClintock (Pictured)  

A tough unsigned guard is having a good senior year early on. He can pull-up from mid to the 3 and has sneaky bounce to throw it down. He has a thicker frame to rebound and can score it inside with post moves on opposing guards. He has improved his ability to score from all levels and will make plays as well. Stock up.   

Trent Murray Trent Murray 6'1" | SG Desert Vista | 2022 State AZ Desert Vista 

The shooter of the team has a pretty shot with good ball rotation. He can pull-up off the dribble from mid to the 3pt line but is probably best as a standstill catch shooter. He does show some range and fights hard on the defensive end. 

Talbot Cummard Talbot Cummard 6'3" | CG Mesa | 2022 State AZ Mesa

This guard keeps improving it seems weekly. His defense always seems to be on point and he collects numerous steals for transition points. He has some shift with his handle and can read a defense and dime a teammate. He can take a rebound off glass and go coast to coast. He can rise up off the dribble and does a little bit of everything. Stock up.   

Evan Clayton Evan Clayton 6'4" | SG Arcadia | 2022 State AZ Arcadia

Their top scorer of the team can score it many ways. He can dribble drive and score in traffic plus pull-up off the bounce or catch and shoot. He creates his own offense often and he can post up and quickly go to work to score. He can rip through and uses his long arms to play the passing lanes. 

Mason Knollmiller Mason Knollmiller 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ Highland 

One of the more entertaining players to view is a lob-city dunker. He has speed on speed in the open court with incredible body control in the lane. He can drive and kick and has good defensive awareness. 

AJ Riggs AJ Riggs 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ Highland 

The pure shooter of the team is best off catch from the 3pt line. He also has a polished floater game and uses a runner smartly. He makes good reads to teammates and since the defense has to respect his shot, he can give a shot fake and drive it or stop and pop.  

2023

Zach Anderson Zach Anderson 6'3" | SG Desert Mountain | 2023 State AZ Desert Mountain

A scoring guard is a natural catch shooter from the 3pt line. He is slowly Improving as a facilitator and he is taking the ball to the rack better off the bounce. In the bigger moments, look for him and Easton Reagan Easton Reagan 6'4" | CG Desert Mountain | 2022 State AZ to be the guys to close out games.  

2024 

Noah Gifft Noah Gifft 6'2" | SG Ironwood | 2024 State AZ Ironwood

Arguably the best deep shooter in the class from the 3pt line. He squares up perfectly like you should and lets it fly. He has deep range and he has the floater off the dribble as well.