Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first weekend of January is always exciting as teams are starting to shape into form. The Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase featured top teams from the Shore Conference, along with Gill St. Bernard's and Hightstown. The showcase featured big-time performances as players helped their teams pull out big victories. Here are standouts from the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902736' first='Isaac' last='Hester'], 6'0 PG Ranney 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hester powered the Panthers' attack in the opening game of the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase as he scored a game-high 25 points. The 6'0 guard was at his best attacking the basket as he finished through traffic around the basket throughout the game. Hester pushed the pace well in transition and was able to get to the mid-range to shoot his mid-range jumper. He ripped down rebounds and moved his feet well on the defensive end. Hester played with great energy on both ends of the floor and should continue to have big games for Ranney as the season continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Tyler Burnham, 6'6 PF Red Bank Catholic 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burnham had a Boardwalk Showcase high 30 points on the night as he was unstoppable throughout the night. The 6'6 forward was consistently able to get position down low and showed a soft touch around the basket. Burnham caught almost everything thrown his way and moved his feet well on both ends of the floor. He was impossible to box out on both ends of the floor and made good passes out of the post. Burnham was dominant throughout the game and will be one to watch for Red Bank Catholic in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411404' first='Darius' last='Adams'], 6'4 SG Manasquan 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams led the Warriors with 20 points in their Boardwalk Showcase game, but he did more than just score for them during the game. The 6'4 guard made good passes during the game as he was able to thread them to open teammates in the half court. Adams was able to get to his spot on the floor and rose up with confidence on his jumper. He made plays on the defensive end and was a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. Adams is a true scorer whose ability to involve his teammates in the half court will help his stock in a big way this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580579' first='Matt' last='Hodge'], 6'8 PF St. Rose 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hodge showcased his versatile game at the Boardwalk Showcase as he did a little bit of everything for the Purple Roses. The 6'8 forward was comfortable bringing the ball up the court and fired cross court passes to his teammates for open shots. Hodge elevated for a couple of big-time jams and finished nicely around the basket. He skied for rebounds on both ends of the floor and influenced shots on the defensive end with his combination of length and athleticism. Hodge was an assist shy of a triple-double and should have more games like that as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150545' first='Nick' last='Losada'], 6'2 SG Gill St. Bernard's 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losada had a strong showing for the Knights at the Boardwalk Showcase as he was consistent for them throughout the game. The 6'2 lefty has a smooth release on his jumper and shot the ball with confidence from behind the arc. Losada moved well without the ball in his hands and rarely took bad shots in the half court. He fought for rebounds on both ends of the floor and dove for loose balls on the floor. Losada's ability to stretch the floor combined with his toughness is something that will be key for Gill St. Bernard's and his stock this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Other Prospects to Know:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1573987' first='Braydon' last='Kirkpatrick'], 6'1 SG Red Bank Regional 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213572' first='Ben' last='Kipnis'],</strong> <strong>6'2 SG Holmdel 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150543' first='Will' last='Bradley'], 6'2 SG CBA 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150273' first='Robert' last='Eaves'], 6'5 PF Hightstown 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1017192' first='Kyle' last='Verriest'], 5'11 PG St. John Vianney 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->