Ironwood at Boulder Creek Varsity standouts/notes

On Thursday, December 1st I attended the season opener for the 5A Ironwood Eagles at the 6A Boulder Creek Jaguars.   Before the heavyweight varsity game started. I got there early to take a look at both programs youth.   <h2>Here were the Varsity standouts</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1150940' first='Rowan' last='McKenzie'] Boulder Creek   The two-way star just got back from football and has only practiced three times this year. He did not have his wind yet but still managed to play well. He scored from all levels with rip through blow-by's scoring through contact with his tight handle, stronger upper body and toughness.. He rebounds to help with the overall lack of size and will push it quickly after. He can hit perimeter jumpers and defends the 1-3 well. He scored 15 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1150843' first='Andrew' last='Bhesenia'] Boulder Creek   A big night for Bhesenia. He scored 19 points with three triples off the catch, he drove the lane with long strides and found teammates for assists. He is a plus rebounder and managed to score on put backs and reverse layups. What stood out was his ability to block shots inside. He is a very good help side shot blocker and controlled the paint. He is starting to pull-up off the dribble from mid-range and had a dunk on the break showing his all-around talent.   [player_tooltip player_id='1482208' first='Dylan' last='Spilde'] Boulder Creek   One of my breakout POY 6A candidates didn't disappoint. He scored 15 points with 10 rebounds and 3 assists. He can hit the catch three with a super quick release. He will ball fake and go up. He is a very good rebounding guard and he scored on a few put backs by just crashing the glass with a big motor. He uses a nice fist step and changes speeds to get downhill and scores layups in traffic. He makes the reverse layups better then most and cuts when you should.   [player_tooltip player_id='1681101' first='Espn' last='Polanski'] Boulder Creek   An improving combo guard handles it well but he is a scorer. He has a super quick release from the three point line and when he is given time and sets his feet, he usually makes them. He threw a couple ropes down the court to running teammates and brings energy on defense. He scored 7 points with 3 assists.   [player_tooltip player_id='1681100' first='Carson' last='Gates'] Boulder Creek   Their ultimate glue guy. He is a shooting guard who brings a little of everything to the court. He clearly hustles and is quick on the ball defensively. He takes charges and defends bigger players often. He puts his body on the line and grabs rebounds with his sheer hustle and will. Offensively, he can hit the three and he gives hard ball fakes to get into the lane and score on euros and nice body control. He scored 8 points 3 rebounds 1 assist and 1 steal.     [player_tooltip player_id='1483886' first='Landon' last='Brewer'] Boulder Creek   Their versatile 6th man has grown two inches since I last viewed him. I was actually surprised how tall he has become. He uses his improved size to get downhill with euros and swooping layups. He has a quick shooting release from the three and he can create his own offense off the dribble. He is steadily improving with his skill and size. He scored 8 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='814527' first='Leonard' last='Romayor'] Ironwood   A scoring point guard who has improved each season. He has nice speed in the open court and uses it to blow -by and get to the rim. He will finish in traffic and is not afraid of the contact. He will defend opposing guards up the court and has a cerebral approach to the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='936910' first='Jordan' last='Kuac'] Ironwood   An athletic power forward is an explosive dunker. He had multiple dunks with back door lobs and he jumps up quickly. He can score on right hand hook shots and his free throw stroke is improving. He does need to fill in some but not many in state jump higher in the AIA for rebounds, dunks and blocks. He also runs the court like a guard.   [player_tooltip player_id='1135515' first='Noah' last='Gifft'] Ironwood   A shooting guard has grown one-two inches in the last year. He is one of the best catch three point shooters in the class. He is starting to thicken up and take the ball to the rim. He has the floater game and gives a hard ball fake to get passed his defenders.     [player_tooltip player_id='814531' first='Adonis' last='Thomas'] Ironwood   A bigger off guard can play some on the ball. He defends multiple positions and can score. He can get downhill and make tough shots in traffic and/or get to the free throw line. He can hit the catch three and makes good reads.     [player_tooltip player_id='937197' first='Jordan' last='Jones'] Ironwood   A tough scoring guard can defend on the ball with his strength and lateral quickness. He can step back and hit the three and he has a quick burst to get into the lane. He can hit the catch three and brings toughness to the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='1681102' first='Blake' last='Carabio'] Ironwood   One of their talented bench players had a breakout game. He can hit the catch three in bunches. He can change speeds and get himself to the line or score on contested layups. He has quick hands on defense and will rebound. He gives ball fakes and bursts into the lane and will float it in.   <h2>Notes:</h2>   -Both teams look to easily make the OPEN division playoff.   -Both teams have a chance to make the Final-8 OPEN playoff spots.   -Both teams have good young prospects in the program.   -Ironwood top-9 can start for most programs.   -Boulder Creek's ball movement is elite.

On Thursday, December 1st I attended the season opener for the 5A Ironwood Eagles at the 6A Boulder Creek Jaguars.