Midwest Melee: JB’s Saturday Standouts
Grassroots basketball offers a unique platform to learn, grow, and showcase your talent. It presents the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, build character, and create lasting memories. Whether you aspire to play at the collegiate level or simply want to…
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Continue ReadingGrassroots basketball offers a unique platform to learn, grow, and showcase your talent. It presents the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, build character, and create lasting memories. Whether you aspire to play at the collegiate level or simply want to maximize your potential as a high school athlete both provide substantial benefits. Below are a few new athletes who attracted attention on Saturday at West Suburban Sports Complex.
Costanzo excels as a shooter, particularly in catch and shoot scenarios. His accuracy from beyond the arc makes him a threat for Full Package White’s offense. Displayed solid shooting mechanics including a quick release and consistent motion. Costanzo shows off a high basketball IQ by effectively utilizing screens to create separation for his shot. His understanding of off-ball movement allows him to be a constant scoring threat and keep the defense on their toes. In addition to his shooting abilities, he demonstrates proficient ball-handling skills. This skillset adds versatility to his game and enables him to create his own shot when necessary.
Highlights
Zion Finch
Zion Finch
Finch possesses sound ball security and showcases a crafty ball-handling package. His ability to protect the ball and make decisive moves allows him to maintain control in pressuring situations. He demonstrates remarkable play making skills as evidenced by gifting teammates with lead passes and searching for the right pass. Finch exhibits an unselfish playstyle. He’s willing to make the extra pass and actively scans for opportunities to involve his teammates. He shows fundamental court awareness and the ability to accurately pass to cutters.
Javion Young Delk
Javion Young Delk
Delk displayed strong leadership skills and took command in orchestrating the offense. He’s a floor general on the court as he directs teammates and organizes team play sets. Delk’s constant motion on offense is valuable in creating open passing lanes, especially when the offense is stagnant. His ability to find gaps in the defense allows for better ball movement all around. He excels at penetrating into the paint and delivering clean pocket passes to teammates. The ability to draw two defenders and connect accurate passes through tight windows adds an extra dimension to the team’s offense. His attacking style is characterized by smooth movements and finishing in tough spots.
Will Tobin
Will Tobin
Tobin’s size and strength allows him to provide a reliable target for teammates to pass to and maintain offensive fluidity. He holds the ability to set up in open spaces along the perimeter and knockdown mid-range jumpers and occasional three point attempts. With his size and presence, Tobin becomes a significant asset when setting screens. His wide frame creates a larger obstacle for defenders to navigate around. Tobin showed the ability to exploit mismatches and take slower defenders off the dribble creating scoring opportunities for himself and teammates. Established and maintained a solid, vertical stance when effectively contesting shots at the rim without fouling.
Brelen Hudley
Brelen Hudley
Hudley displayed excellent awareness and hustle by following up on missed shot in transition. His willingness to crash the board and pursue second-chance opportunities increases his team’s scoring potential. When receiving screens, Hudley demonstrates patience and composure. He effectively utilized screens to create separation and make the right decision with the ball. The patience enables him to read the defense and find open scoring opportunities. His lengthy frame allows his to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes on defense, while also providing an advantage on the offensive end by finishing over defenders. Hudley dribbles nicely in traffic, smoothly changes direction, and navigates through defenses supports his strong ball-handling.
Isaiah Manuel
Isaiah Manuel
Manuel is a highly active and physical player under the boards. His broad physique provides an advantage when battling for position and competing for rebounds. He consistently engages in battles for rebounds, utilizing his strength and assertiveness to secure possessions for his team. His physicality contributes to his effectiveness inside the key. Manuel demonstrates a relentless work ethic and an innate instinct for the ball. He consistently dives for loose balls and chases down rebounds making him a constant factor in hustle plays. Manuel excels at finding position around the rim creating opportunities to receive passes and finish plays.