Tark Classic Preview: Arbor View Aggies

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tarkanian Classic gets underway this week. The event will feature 100's of teams from around the globe. Starting with the Prep School Divison on Dec 16th the event runs all the way until the Finals of the Platinium division on Dec 22nd. In addition to defending Platinum division champ Bishop Gorman, nearly all 3A, 4A, and 5A Las Vegas Schools will participate in this event. One of those teams, the Arbor View Aggies open up on Monday, December 19th in Spalding Bracket play against, Wilson from South Carolina. The Aggies have been one of the early surprises of the season jumping out to a 7-0 record. They're led by coach Dustin Clayton who in his 7th year has patiently put the Aggies together piece by painstaking piece. "We're a lot better than last year," says Clayton. "We're just more fundamentally sound, and the guys are willing to put in the work" A quick glance at the Aggies proves he's not kidding when he talks about putting in the work. Whether it's the physically imposing frame of "Chef" Townsend or the explosive hops of guards like [player_tooltip player_id='1278229' first='Ridge' last='Adams'], the Aggies as they say.... look the part. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Staff:</em> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HC: Dustin Clayton </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Assistants</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mark Dickel </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sean Bowen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darryl Givens </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kevin Redwine </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phil Briggs </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Top Players:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1057885"],"_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":"Romero has had a terrific season for the Aggies, known as a quiet leader, his play has done the talking with his nearly 14 points per game. Romero is shooting it well, knocking down over 40% of his threes, and if his play in practice was any indication, he looks like he fits comfortably in a leadership role.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1278229"],"_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":"I came away from the practice really intrigued by Adams. I was suprised by his athleticism, as he showed the ability to play above the rim off two feet with ease. He has some skill, showing the ability to knock down threes, however it was his unique ability to get paint touches and kick to teammates that has me interested. Really, looking to see how he performs next week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1326879"],"_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":"The first thing that jumped out to me was how much thicker Dickel was than a year before. The Combo looks like he's added on some height and muscle. He was good when it came to facilitating the offense, making quick reads and decisions in coach Clayton's motion sets.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1140627"],"_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":"Jaeck is another big, strong, physical kid for the Aggies. He moves well, showing off some good springs during the Ru0026amp;J portion of the practice. He was also able to snipe, knocking down threes in catch and shoot situations. His versatility, size and good grades make him an intriguing high academic prospect.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639a6dea653da"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>X-Factor</em> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1253130"],"_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":"Knox has been fighting through some nagging bumps and bruies, but the addition of the quick guard, will only go to strengthen the Aggies backcourt.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639a6dea6543a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sleeper</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1486090"],"_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":"Be on the lookout for the updated 2025 rankings as Darden could be a player on the rise. He was quietly efficient in practice, making the correct reads and showing finishing ability in live drills. He could be counted on to be one of the biggest X factors for this squad this year, with his ability to handle, score and defend in the backcourt.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639a6dea6548b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Top Freshman </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696809"],"_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":"Dickel was the easy choice, as he's the only freshmen getting burn on Varisity for the Aggies. He was more than decent in the practice, showing that he could go by his bigger, more athletic opponents and create a play. Dickel provides a nice infusion of future talent for the team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639a6dea654d8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Top Prospect</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1253140"],"_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":"The success of currently Nevada star Darrion Williams reminds me to never focus on what position a player is. In Townsend's case, much like Williams, what he is, is a player. The Chef cooks from all areas of the floor, using a physical upper body frame to defeat opponents down low, and a solid floor game to score on the perimeter. If he refines his shooting, and continues to improve his playmaking ability, he should end up as the top prospect out of the group.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639a6dea65527"} /-->