Max’s Weekend Guard Standouts

Now at Breck, Hanif has been putting together impressive performances as a junior. He’s one of the shiftiest players I’ve seen all season, and showcased the ability to get separation for a jumper just about any time he wanted to. Started off hot before hitting a shooting slump through the middle of the game, but then scored some key buckets down the stretch. Finished with 18 points, and showed some flashes of playmaking ability getting into the lane and dishing it off at the last second. Defensively he really puts his quickness to use on the ball, and in the second half came up with a steal and drew a charge in key situations when the game was close.

It was a low scoring battle between SSP and Tartan, and Gavin provided a spark of offense down the stretch. At 6’4 he is able to use his size and handle to get into his own shots around the rim/mid-range levels, and was also a catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc. Takes his time when attacking the basket and with his size he’s comfortable changing directions to just work his way to the rim. Has a high release that allows him to easily get off a shot over smaller guards as well. Scored a game high 16 points in the win for the Packers.

Grayson had a huge second half to keep his team in it against a tough Breck squad on Friday night. He was unstoppable getting to the basket, and is extremely dangerous because of his ability to drive either direction and finish with either hand. So good at getting a slight edge on his man, and just pinning him on his hip before extending to finish. Grayson really knows how to change up his speeds to get by his man, and is excellent coming off ball screens and making the right reads. Put up a game high 28 points and also did a nice job of feeding his bigs with post entry passes and out of the pick & roll. Still a big time scoring threat but also looks to be developing his point guard skills making him a more well rounded player.

With one of Breck’s key players out with foul trouble most of the second half, Will really stepped up to push his team to a win. The senior guard showed his composure down the stretch in a tight game, converting in transition as well as off the drive. Walker also hit a key three from the corner late in the game that gave his team a ton of momentum. Finished with 17 points in the win and brought a ton of energy to the floor for his team.

The freshman guard had some huge minutes off the bench for CDH, particularly in the first half. Defensively he was causing issues for opposing guards on the ball. Two big plays against a D1 signed senior saw him force an over-and-back call with his pressure, and he also stripped the ball from him going up to stop what could’ve been an easy two points. On the offensive end he found success getting downhill and forcing an extra defender to step in on him. Displayed the vision and decision making to quickly locate and hit the open man with an accurate pass leading to a handful of open looks for his team. His two points came off a second chance bucket that he finished over size.

Nas’s outside shot wasn’t falling, but in a low scoring game I like how he changed up his focus in the second half and started getting to the rim. When the game was tied up 35-35 late, he attacked the rim hard for a pair of tough finishes to give his team the lead. When his team needed points, Nas found a way to get to the rim for a key bucket. Also had a really nice lob pass to a rolling big that led to a thunderous dunk. One thing you also notice about Whitlock is how he controls the game on offense. He’s communicating vocally and making sure all of his guys are in the right spots at all times. Really controls the pace of the game as well as he can get up the floor quickly but also knows when to slow things down. Finished with a game high 17 points.

Luke Jacobson Luke Jacobson 6'1″ | SG Cretin-Derham Hall | 2023 State MN was making key plays on both ends that gave CDH a chance. Had a highlight play defensively as he sprinted back for an impressive chase-down block on a dunk attempt that ended up resulting in a three on the other end for his team. Another hustle play saw him sprint up the floor in transition, making sure he was in the right place at the right time to putback a teammate’s missed lay-up. That ended up tying the game up with just over a minute to play. Luke is a high effort player who was finishing off his looks around the rim and just working his tail off on the defensive end. Scored a team high 11 points to nearly pull off the upset.