Rocky Mountain Mayhem: Steadfast 17u Lead Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among lead guards, these prospects demonstrated consistently proactive decisionmaking with the ball. These are lead ballhandlers who were low turnover risks while displaying leadership qualities necessary at the helm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1137807' first='Max' last='Howery'] - Colorado Miners CS - Air Academy - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1935315,"width":121,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/maxh.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/maxh-edited.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1935315" width="121" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howery sees the floor at a very high level, easily one of the best anticipators of opponents from this event. The 5'11 guard has the ball on a string going either direction, rarely turning the ball over. The guard led the Miners halfcourt direction, patiently searching for ways to keep the opposing defense guessing. When left open, Howery was more than capable knocking down the triple or stepping into the mid-range pullup. Not many guards possess his IQ and defensive impact within the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1420312' first='Javon' last='Lowman'] - Prolific Elite - Vista PEAK Prep - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1933711,"width":204,"height":134,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/javonlowman-crop-2912x1912-1682378148.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/javonlowman-crop-2912x1912-1682378148.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1933711" width="204" height="134" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lowman brings constant energy in the fullcourt, few guards in the class can match his consistent speed. The junior always picks up the pace, either on defense by pressuring ballhandlers into rushed decisions or on offense by attacking the open lanes with authority. The guard is especially impressive utilizing crossovers or between dribbles to get downhill, possessing a notably quick first step. Lowman will be a valuable facilitator for Prolific Elite, taking part in a difficult job at the helm of the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1285191' first='Peyton' last='Miller'] - Hard2Guard - Faith Christian - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1935334,"width":212,"height":139,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/pmiller2-crop-2912x1912-1682439650.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/pmiller2-crop-2912x1912-1682439650.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1935334" width="212" height="139" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller brought efficient scoring out of the pick and roll, proving dangerous through the jump shot. The guard is a lights out shooter off the catch, capable draining shots well beyond the arc. His fit with roller Nate Liam was on full display, utilizing those screens to get pull-ups in the mid-range, seemingly never missing. Should the double approach, trust that Miller will make the bounce pass to the diving roller. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577954' first='Braydon' last='Jacob'] - CP Magic - Lutheran - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are few 2024 guards as consistent on the offensive end at Jacob. The guard was a straight bucket throughout this weekend, opening up one of his matches with 11 points in the first five minutes of regulation. He is an elite shooter off the catch, although more than capable rising up into the pull-up or fading into the shot following a flare screen. Not to mention that Jacob is adept leveraging his gravity for easy layups around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1427090' first='Carson' last='Evans'] - Hoops Academy - Dakota Ridge - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1935336,"width":215,"height":141,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/carsonevans-crop-2912x1912-1682439706.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/carsonevans-crop-2912x1912-1682439706.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1935336" width="215" height="141" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans is a strong, physical guard whop digs into opponents on drives, capable scoring through contact or getting to his short turnaround jumper. At roughly 6' tall, the senior guard has continued to showcase his scoring versatility, showing upside on all three levels. Although a creative scorer, Evans is a facilitator first, doing his part to find the best possible shot for his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577960' first='Cameron' last='Butler'] - Nobody Cares Work Harder - Columbine - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1935345,"width":206,"height":135,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/cambutler-crop-3024x1986-1682439776.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/cambutler-crop-3024x1986-1682439776.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1935345" width="206" height="135" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler is one of the grittiest defenders in the 2023 class, possessing all the tools necessary to be lockdown. Building upon his defensive skillset, Butler continues to be one of the most exciting live dribble passers from this event, consistently finding baseline cutters off of drives. Butler boasts five collegiate offers from division III up to division II, including San Francisco State, Western New Mexico, Wayne State, among others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->