Top Shooters in the State Part Two: Unfazeable, Crowd-Hushers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This edition of <em>Top Shooters in the State</em> looks at the best contested shooters - the unfazeable - and the crowd-hushers. These players have the ability to crush defenders' spirits and bring crowds to silence with tough shots in big moments. You can check out <em>Part One</em> of the best shooters <em><a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/02/top-shooters-in-the-state-part-one-anytime-anywhere/">here</a></em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Unfaze</em>able</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The unfazed shooters have a special ability to hit shots with hands right in their faces, guys crowding their landing zone, and in the midst of multiple defenders. These four shooters have shown an incredible propensity for hitting these tough shots time and again, and it's why they are four of the best unfazeable shooters in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1439262' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] | North Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jensen has an uncanny ability to knock down shots from outside with defenders breathing down his throat. At times, I am not even sure how he gets the shot off, let alone how he continually finds the bottom of the net. He's a shooter that is nearly unstoppable when he is feeling it and can get his shot off under the tightest defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='923128' first='Jaylin' last='Stewart'] | Garfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart is a special type of shooter who hits the tough fadeaways, turnarounds, and pull-up jumpers no matter where defenders are. He has great size and strength to rise up over contests and stares through defenders' closeouts to stay zeroed in on the rim. Great footwork and a strong base help him get shots off under heavy defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1416697' first='Ryan' last='Gallagher'] | Liberty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Liberty star has been a big-time scorer this season, mixing in shots from all over the floor, but Gallagher's best asset may be his jumper. He has a consistent delivery, great strength and balance to hit going any direction off of the dribble, and gets his shots away even as defenses key in on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1633559' first='Colton' last='West'] | Federal Way</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike the other shooters above, West is not the first or even the second option on his team, but the Federal Way guard has a knack for the big shot and always seems to come through when momentum even hints at slipping away from the Eagles. He has played a huge role for one of the 4A favorites and isn't bothered by closeouts as he buries shots from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Crowd-Hushers</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guys have the same mentality every time they release the ball and it's why they are some of the best crunchtime and big moment shooters in the state. It's not just the buzzer beaters and game-winners, but shots that bail out bad offensive possessions, kill good defensive possessions, and start and stop momentum from building.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560527' first='Steve' last='Kuhnle'] | Monroe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Monroe guard is cool as ice when it comes to shooting the rock. He seems to approach every shot with the same focus and can quickly quiet a crowd and crush momentum for opposing teams. He's a shooter who can get hot from deep and really pour the points on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270613' first='Cavin' last='Holden'] | RA Long</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holden is one of the top scorers in the state with multiple 50-point games this season, and with all those shots going in you can imagine he's made his fair share of clutch buckets. Even in the AAU season, Holden was a killer from long distance that showed no fear of the big moment. He is a gritty player and an excellent shooter that steps up when it most counts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1728923' first='Ryan' last='Shields'] | Skyline</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skyline has busted out to become one of the top 4A teams this season, and Shields' timely shooting has been a big factor for the Spartans. He punishes defenses for collapsing on drives, can hit the spot up three, or take a few dribbles in and nail the mid-range. He's an underrated player that makes big shots for his team and could be a game-changer at the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1155898' first='Jaedyn' last='Brown'] | Pullman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no secret about Brown's shooting prowess. The Pullman guard and two-time league MVP is straight butter from outside. He can get it on his own or coming off screens and spotting up. No matter how he comes about it, the senior can shoot in any situation. His shooting has helped Pullman to a 23-0 record thus far and was also a key part of Hooptown Elite's first-place finish at the Under Armor Invitational this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270716' first='Giovanny' last='Evanson'] | King's Way Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evanson has really improved his shot-creating ability this season which has, in turn, helped him hit shots with greater efficiency. He's led King's Way to a 15-8 record and a District 4 championship, as well as another trip to the state tournament. Evanson has great confidence in his shot and it shows with the energy he gives his team as well as the trust they have in him to hit big shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450959' first='Quinn' last='Swanson'] | Mount Vernon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swanson looks to have the shooters' mentality that the next shot is always going in. He has a quick release, gets his shot up under duress, and has made a big improvement scoring the ball for a Mount Vernon team that really impressed in the regular season. He can get on a roll from behind the arc and make defenses feel helpless to stop him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450566' first='Devin' last='Whitten'] | Curtis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior guard has some deep range and has hit some big shots for the defending 4A champs over the course of his career. He's unflappable from downtown and even if he isn't on his game, is still prepared to take and make the pivotal shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->