Mike’s Thursday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I went to three games, two at the Jingle Bell Jam and then caught Elyria @ Lorain at night to complete a day full of hoops. In this article I'll break down the top five performers from the games I caught.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1432044"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Stokes was the first MVP recipient on the losing team in Jingle Bell Jam History, going off for 34 points in a double overtime loss. Stokes was getting it done in isolation situations and knocking down jumpers from everywhere on the court. I was also impressed with his passing ability, handling double teams and traps with poise. Stokes is one of the top players in NW Ohio's 2025 class and ready to really break out this spring and summer. He will be making his debut in the rankings next week when they are updated.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1605229"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"A competitive battle between Toledo St Francis and Willard went down to the wire but Knights guards [player_tooltip player_id='1068250' first='Elvis' last='Syroka'] and Heck made enough winning plays to hold on for the victory. Despite being the smallest player on the floor, Heck had a couple offensive rebounds and dove for loose balls as well. Combine that with his shot-making from the outside and ability to drive and dish to open teammates and it's easy to see why Heck was so valuable in the victory.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1721070"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Dawson didn't have his usual shot-making ability on Thursday but his talent and feel for the game are obvious when you watch him. Playing with excellent pace, Dawson isn't sped up and makes the right pass to teammates all the time. With good touch around the basket, Dawson can finish with a variety of angles and shot types. A very limited athlete, Dawson needs to change pace and use fakes to create space to get open. Dawson is a 2024 prospect who will get plenty of looks from Division II and NAIA programs this spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1722259"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A new name for me, Pettis was getting active on the defensive end all game for a Lorain squad that's overachieved early this season. I love how active his hands are defensively and how he makes opposing guards work to get around him. Pettis also knocked down a circus shot at the first quarter buzzer and showed some shooting touch from the outside. Going to be a defensive specialist at the next level, Pettis should be looked at by Division III programs for a 3 and D guard role after seeing the success Jamir Billings has had at Wooster coming from the same Lorain program.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1491457"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Crutcher has one elite skill and it's shooting the basketball. You can run him off screens or just have him spot-up and the ball is usually going in from the outside. Crutcher has great hand-eye coordination and a quick release that's tough for shorter players to contest. Where Crutcher needs to improve is with his in-between game, struggling from the mid-range area and finishing at the rim when slashing to the basket. If Crutcher can get stronger in his core, he won't be pushed off his spots as easily and can finish through traffic instead of trying to avoid contact at the basket. Crutcher is a Division I prospect who could raise his ceiling even higher with some physical development. This is a name to watch in the 2025 class for low to mid major programs.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af168df0184"} /-->