2023 Rankings Update: New Additions Part 2

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1371632" first="Ezra" last="Stewart"] | Platteview</strong></p> <p>My first real look at Stewart was in this year's state tournament. He showed a level of toughness and competitiveness that instantly drew my attention. The play that sticks in my head happened against top-seeded Skutt. He rotated from the nail to a baseline driver and then absorbed the contact without being moved and rejected the shot, giving Platteview a transition push the other way.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1371635" first="Jack" last="Healy"] | Skutt Catholic</strong></p> <p>Healy was a really nice option for the Skyhawks off the bench. When in drop coverage against screen and rolls, he spaced himself between the ball-handler and screener well until his teammate worked himself back into the play. He is mobile for his size and he reacts quickly, which allowed him to pick off several interior passes.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1424097" first="PJ" last="Newbill"] | Creighton Prep</strong></p> <p>In the opening round of the 2022 State Tournament, Newbill played possibly his best basketball of the season. After losing the first half to Westside, Newbill came out of the locker room in attack mode. He pushed the tempo, created easy looks in transition, and put pressure on the rim. He's not a shooter, but if he can improve his handle and find more opportunities to get into the lane he can have a big impact on offense for the Jr. Jays next season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1424104" first="Manny" last="Paul"] | South Sioux City</strong></p> <p>Paul gave the Cardinals excellent rim protection, totaling 72 blocks on the season. He does not have jaw-dropping bounce or outlier length. He sends shots back by staying vertical, getting off the floor quickly, and timing his jumps perfectly. He is an effective play finisher with good hands and solid touch in the paint.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1424105" first="Duran" last="Blackfish"] | Winnebago</strong></p> <p>In a shortened season for the Indians' shooting guard, Blackfish proved to be a highly effective floor spacer. He loved to size up his defender and give him a jab or two before pulling up in their face. He had the green light and he took advantage of that, making 40% of his threes on 9 attempts per game.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1424100" first="Austin" last="Trotter"] | Millard South</strong></p> <p>The steal and block totals wouldn't show it, but Trotter is a solid defender on and off the ball. He has quick feet, active hands, and plays the gaps very well. Rebounding is a strength as well because of his persistence in that department. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1424107" first="Austin" last="Phinney"] | York</strong></p> <p>The 6'3" forward plays a lot longer than his measurements. He is always looking for opportunities to poke a ball away or swipe down on a driver, and he does so with impressive accuracy. He can get beat while guarding the ball, but he is very good as a help defender. He knows when and when not to rotate, and does an excellent job of reading the passer's eyes.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1424098" first="Jake" last="Rath"] | Laurel-Concord-Coleridge</strong></p> <p>Rath bullied his way to 17.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a junior. He tracks the flight of the ball and anticipates its angle off the rim with impressive accuracy. He does a great job of hand-fighting, sealing his assignment under the rim, and quickly jumping on the rebound. I would guess a lot of his points came off putbacks that he fought hard for.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1424112" first="Garrett" last="Ivey"] | York</strong></p> <p>York runs a lot of split actions with Ivey as the screener, and he made great reads out of that action consistently. He noticed when the defense was complacent or showing too high and would get himself an open layup off a slip to the rim. He was comfortable popping after the split and knocking down the catch and shoot three. He had an efficient season for York, with turnovers being the only real wart on his resume.</p>