King Showcase Superlatives: Standout 2023s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here I picked out some seniors that had fantastic games at the King Showcase and decided to throw some superlatives at them. Instead of the usual stuff, I gave each player a nickname that describes their game and what they brought to the court on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1754405"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eAlex u003cemu003eu0022Big Smoothu0022 u003c/emu003eConneru003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eConner was a big factor in Kentridge taking down Mt. Si at the King Showcase. He didn't score a ton but did enough inside to balance out the Chargers attack and was especially effective hitting from the 10-to-12-foot range with some smooth turnarounds. He was able to make some impact plays defensively too, using his size to block shots in the paint and forcing some turnovers as well. He could be a big player for Kentridge down the stretch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["923112"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eMiles u003cemu003eu0022Mittensu0022 u003c/emu003eHeideu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eWhy u0022Mittensu0022? Because Heide catches everything in his vicinity. Rebounds, passes (high or low), and he blocks shots at a high rate too. Heide had some monster finishes with backdoor alley-oops and a couple off of the pick and roll, and his activity around the rim was a huge factor in keeping Mt. Si in the game as they struggled to connect from three-point. He finished six-of-nine from the field for 14 points and ripped down 16 rebounds (seven offensive) to complete the double-double.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1439268"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eKaden u003cemu003eu0022Cast Away!u0022 u003c/emu003eKastbergu003c/strongu003ernrnThis one fits whether you're a movie buff or a fisherman. Kastberg didn't have a particularly effective game from the field as Sumner was forced into tough shots all game long, but he drilled from three every time he got space. He's got decent height at 6'3u0022 to 6'4u0022 and finishes his shot high. When he did let it go from long-range it was buttery. He finished with nine points, connecting on three shots from downtown but he's the type of guy that would play well as a spot up shooter, casting away from an island on the corner three. He can hit the contested shot too and showed some deep range behind the arc.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1439245"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eJaivion u003cemu003eu0022Just Shootu0022 u003c/emu003eMcLoughlinu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eIt was a tough first half for Sumner but they started to connect from long-range in the second half and McLoughlin was a big part of that turnaround, connecting on five threes in the half. He didn't take many shots at all in the first half, so I think u0022Just Shootu0022 is a perfect description of his game against Tahoma. He hit on a few threes off the dribble, another on the catch, and was able to bail out the Spartans with a long three late in the shot clock at one point.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1270691"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eJalon u003cemu003eu0022The Bluru0022 u003c/emu003eBlackwellu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eBlackwell was on another level from the jump, slicing and dicing the Mt Si defense in the halfcourt, and outrunning them in transition to get breakaway buckets. It only makes sense to call him u0022The Bluru0022 because no one could match his pace and energy. He wasn't just fast though, he showed great anticipation leaking out to get the break started, and was tough at the rim all game finishing through contact and finding angles around bigger defenders.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1417278"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eCoston u003cemu003eu0022I Just Make Playsu0022 u003c/emu003eParcheru003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eParcher has been a rising performer all season long, and his importance to the Lynden Lions showed against North Kitsap as his heralded teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='1450490' first='Anthony' last='Canales'], struggled to get going for much of the game. Parcher has ramped up his scoring this season and his tools were on display at the ShoWare Center, getting to the rim, spotting up from three, and hitting the breaks to drop in a pullup jumper. His pullup game was probably his strongest move with his ability to plant that foot and stop on a dime, keeping control and balance to quickly rise up for the shot.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c988fdb5d69"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->