Gold Crown Fall League Standouts Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1369817' first='Josiah' last='Sanders'] - Cherokee Trail - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanders will be one of the top names for his class due to his growing role as a lead guard, already bigger than most at 6'3. The lefty showed his vertical athleticism through a high flying poster dunk versus Denver South. One area Sanders has proven to be elite has been his left hand finishes near the rim, whether that comes through short floaters or mid-air finishes through contact. Given his quick first step, defenses have to play low pending the drive, although Sanders is more than capable stepping into jumpers should the defense step away. On the opposite end, Sanders has all the quickness and strength to bang with both guard positions and even some wings. Keeping tabs on Cherokee Trail's offensive chemistry will be intriguing, given the dramatic acceleration of pace with their new coach, Brandon Brown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1336798' first='Vitorio' last='Dante'] - Castle View - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1504481,"width":264,"height":175,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Vitorio-Dante3.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Vitorio-Dante3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1504481" width="264" height="175"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dante will be an intriguing name to monitor this season, notably for his increase in shot volume. Standing right around 6'6, Dante brings toughness on the interior both as a defender and play finisher. The forward proved to emphasize his effort on the glass, battling with multiple opponents at a time for rebounding opportunities. Continuing to develop the shooting touch off the catch will play a major role in the forward's all around offensive upside. Dante currently ranks 83rd in the class and 18th among power forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seth Harris - Castle View - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1613998,"width":170,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/seth-harris-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/seth-harris-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1613998" width="170"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing right around 5'11, Harris brought high efficiency as a complementary scoring threat with Castle View. The incoming junior guard proved to be a versatile, yet tough shotmaker within a couple dribbles. He showed consistency taking and making corner threes, where he hit three versus Evergreen. Although he was knockdown from beyond the arc, Harris showcased touch on short floaters with the right hand. He was a notable off ball cutter, utilizing curls and pindowns to not just create space but attack those lanes. A trait of many sub 6' guards, Harris was an excellent defender and hustler of loose balls, proving to immediately raise the team energy level once checking in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1369809' first='Dominic' last='Rhoades-Martinez'] - Denver South - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The incoming sophomore point guard put on a clinic versus Cherokee Trail, attacking the rim at will while significantly raising the team's energy level. Standing right around 6' tall, Rhoades-Martinez brings physicality both as a driver and rebounder. He showed no fear going up against bigger wings in the paint, proving to utilize his ambidextrous touch to finish around contests with either hand. Another area of intrigue resides in his live dribble scoring, where he hit floaters and movement threes on multiple occassions yesterday night. While he is not quite a pure pass first point guard, he possesses the skill to be a score first guard when needed and utilize the scoring gravity to create passing lanes on other occassions. When locked in, Rhoades-Martinez is a staunch one on one defender versus most opposing point guards. He will be one of the most exciting names for his class and conference, given his pace and aggression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->