Final Fourcast: Frontcourt Threats

<p>[player_tooltip player_id="759280" first="Zach" last="Keller"] - ThunderRidge<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Keller-Zach.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1183478 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Keller-Zach-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="223" height="167" /></a></p> <p>Headlining ThunderRidge's unparalleled frontcourt size and depth, the Wake Forest commit has consistently asserted himself when the team needs him most. At 6'9, 220 pounds Keller brings a unique combination of power and soft touch most often highlighted by his relentless poster dunks. Keller is unlike many big dudes, where he worked on his post passing over the summer and has not looked back to his previous self since. In his final season, Keller is averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.8 stocks (stl + blk) while shooting 70% inside the arc. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1053581" first="Aguir" last="Dawam"] - East</p> <p>Likely matching up against Keller, 6'8 [player_tooltip player_id="1053581" first="Aguir" last="Dawam"] has been up in the top 3 in 5A blocks per game over the last two seasons at East High. The forward has consistently been a terror on defense thanks to his quick vertical leap off both feet and habit of keeping both hands up on contests. While he lacks the strength of Keller, his ability to switch on screens will be invaluable against the myriad of size they face March 11th.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080835" first="Joel" last="Speckman"] -  Chaparral <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Joel-Speckman1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1233091 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Joel-Speckman1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="149" /></a></p> <p>The 6'8 power forward has continued to dominate the interior throughout the postseason, grabbing 33% of team rebounds and 68% of team blocks on the year. Through the year, Speckman has continued to grow as a central playmaking hub within the halfcourt thanks to his pinpoint passes to backdoor cuts and ability to seize the opportunity against double teams. The senior forward has averaged 15.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.2 stocks a game while shooting 59% inside the arc. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="918919" first="Joey" last="Bilello"] - ThunderRidge (pictured above)</p> <p>Standing at 6'7, Bilello boasts an incredibly fast jump-shot off the catch along with his steady progression as a driver. While he is not the quickest laterally, he does well helping on time for shot contests near the rim. Bilello is one of three TR players averaging at least 1 block and 1 steal per game. The exact matchup against East will be interesting to say the least, considering that there should be a three inch difference in height between whoever Bilello is asked to guard. On the year, Bilello is putting up 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 stocks on shooting splits of 47/33/72.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1167509" first="Nick" last="Randall"] - Fossil Ridge<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-2-4.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1194604 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-2-4-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="138" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Leading the charge down low, Nick Randle will have a familiar opponent in [player_tooltip player_id="1080835" first="Joel" last="Speckman"] this 11th. Randle has to be one the most fundamental athletes in the state, standing at 6'7, he uses an array of duck-ins, fakes, and fadeaways to lull the defense to sleep. Randle is averaging 17 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks on 71% from the field. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="918935" first="Mike" last="Karnisovas"] - ThunderRidge<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Michael-Karnisovas.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1013746 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Michael-Karnisovas-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="130" height="174" /></a></p> <p>Karnisovas could be a name to remember in the upcoming matchup due to his combination of length at 6'7 combined with his quick jumper off the catch. Although he is only shooting 29% from 3 on the year, that number is a small sample size, had he made three more he would be at 36%. Karnisovas could very well be another defensive x-factor for ThunderRidge should any of the starting forwards get into foul trouble. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1285212" first="Colin" last="Hayes"] - Fossil Ridge<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/76-Colin-Hayes.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1281594 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/76-Colin-Hayes-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="230" height="153" /></a></p> <p>Standing at 6'4, Hayes has been a consistent glue guy thanks to his instincts combined with his plus size at the high school level. Hayes does an excellent job sealing his man onto whichever side, effectively denying nearly all backdoor cuts against him. Averaging 8.9 points, 4.4 rebounds along with 2 stocks while shooting 54% from the field and 36% from distance. </p>