Players to Watch: The Floor Generals

In the game of basketball, a point guard who demands attention from both his teammates and opponents on the court, is an asset. I am diving into the floor generals who know how to command their respective team when on the court, setup the offense, score when needed and make the high IQ plays that can define the course of a game.   [player_tooltip player_id="1253967" first="Eldon" last="Turner"] | Bellevue West | 6’0" 160lbs | Class of 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/eldonturner7">https://twitter.com/eldonturner7</a> On a team as dominant and talented as Bellevue West, you have a role to play to support the team and minutes gotten /shots can be limited. Turner has been learning and developing his first two years of high school behind guards like Chucky Hepburn and [player_tooltip player_id="1013209" first="Josiah" last="Dotzler"] but has yet to show his full skillset. Turner is offensively gifted and can score at any level on the court. He can attack the basket, take contact and finish or he can simply take you off the dribble to step back jumper, his tool bag is full. One of the more impressive features of his game has been his willingness to play any role for the team that will help them win. He has developed into a well-rounded guard who gets others involved, has great defensive hands in creating turnovers and even a pretty good rebounder for his size. Turner is not afraid of any moment and has the mamba mentality, wanting the ball in his hands when it matters. The 2022-23 season will mark the rise of Turner, and that rise will be on college’s boards as well. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/eldon-turner/aQ5WvCwUEeuAzqREozo6lw/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/eldon-turner/aQ5WvCwUEeuAzqREozo6lw/default.htm</a>   Reece Kircher | Papillion La-Vista South | 5’10" 150lbs | Class of 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/ReeceKircher">https://twitter.com/ReeceKircher</a> Kircher was a freshman who impressed last year on the Daniel Brocaille led Titans. With Brocaille graduating, Kircher will step into the spotlight as the primary ball handler and facilitator of the team. Kircher has excellent handles, is very patient on letting the plays setup and makes the right play more often than not. He is deadly from beyond the arc and create his own shot off the dribble, or just by finding the open space on the floor and knocking it down. With fellow sophomore Bryson Bahl and new addition Maal Jaal, Kircher should become a highly regarded name around the metro with how mature and intelligent his game is, and he will help the Titans be in the mix for a state playoff berth. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/reece-kircher/clYR9__JEeuAz5TgcHt2rg/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/reece-kircher/clYR9__JEeuAz5TgcHt2rg/default.htm</a>   Mari Shumaker | Lincoln Southeast | 5’11" 155lbs | Class of 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/Marishumaker_">https://twitter.com/Marishumaker_</a> The Knights squad is loaded with talent with [player_tooltip player_id="1253988" first="Taye" last="Moore"], [player_tooltip player_id="1023546" first="Bangot" last="Dak"], [player_tooltip player_id="1018714" first="Wade" last="Voss"] and incoming transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1150640" first="Jake" last="Hilkemann"], but Shumaker could be the piece that really ties it all together to give them a chance at a state title. His ability to handle the ball is exceptional and, in a game where possessions matter, the Knights will be confident that he will make the right play. [player_tooltip player_id="1253988" first="Taye" last="Moore"] and Hilkemann can score with the best players in the state, however Shumaker not only can get them in the right position with the ball, but he can also get to the basket at will to finish or setup Dak or Voss. Shumaker has shown the ability to shoot with efficiency beyond the arc as well. The Knights are a fined tuned machine and Shumaker will serve as the traction control when they get into the thick of it. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/dmarius-shumaker/zpRwHgXnjEWFiDKIYuOa6Q/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/dmarius-shumaker/zpRwHgXnjEWFiDKIYuOa6Q/default.htm</a>   [player_tooltip player_id="1018750" first="Rendell" last="Gines"] | Omaha Chirstian Academy | 5’9" 155lbs | Class of 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/RendellGines">https://twitter.com/RendellGines</a> Gines has a motor on him that just keeps going. He is quick to get up the court on offense and back on defense every possession. He does not settle for long jumpers and attacks the basket off the dribble. Gines does not mind the physicalness of the painted area and is able to finish at the rim or even pull-down tough rebounds. When attacking, you can see Gines surveying on his way to the basket looking to get others involved and is an excellent passer through traffic. Gines should have a big senior year and can help a backcourt at the next level without a doubt. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/rendell-gines/uI3fmovYS0uupg30DEOZOQ/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/rendell-gines/uI3fmovYS0uupg30DEOZOQ/default.htm</a>   Garrett Ballard | Omaha Bryan | 5’7" 145lbs | Class of 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/_GarrettB14">https://twitter.com/_GarrettB14</a> The Bears are another talented team on the rise. Ballard will have an important role on the team and will serve as a nice change of pace point guard from McCullough. He is a feisty defender, who presses guards and can create turnovers. On the offensive end, he can be dangerous from beyond the arc and always has his head up with the ball, looking for cutting players. Ballard knows how to provide a spark with the energy and grittiness he brings to the court. With the multiple weapons in [player_tooltip player_id="1267137" first="Mat" last="Tut"], A’mare Bynum and Amir Martin, Ballard should have an impactful year for the Bears. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/garrett-ballard/KzWe13tmEeuAzqREozo6lw/default.htm">https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/garrett-ballard/KzWe13tmEeuAzqREozo6lw/default.htm</a>