Freshman Showcase: Team 3 Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2123380' first='Mateo' last='Valencia'] - Rocky Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valencia brought constant hustle and grit within the backcourt, proving to be ruthless on traps and rebounding opportunities. The guard was very quick both laterally and straight on, boasting a quick first that often got him immediate advantages. This quickness made him one of the more consistent backcourt scorers around the basket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes Watts - Bridgeport (NE)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watts was a dynamic ball handler, proving capable of handling aggressive point of attack defense. The guard was especially selfless as a pass first guard, always seeking out ways to set up the teammate for an easy dime. If needed to score, Watts was most effective stepping into his mid-range pull-up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2120960' first='Noah' last='Fields'] - Horizon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lefty was effective both as a facilitator and pull-up shooter, all while standing right around 5'9. Fields proved to be active stepping into mid-range jumpers, consistently making the right decisions based on how the defense played him. Another aspect of his impact came from his strength and low center of gravity, capable of digging into opponents while attacking downhill.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2422819' first='Landen' last='Frison'] - Pueblo South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frison was shot ready off the catch, proving to be effective as a shotmaker from distance. As well, the guard was active boxing out opponents on the defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2257266' first='Chukwudi' last='Megafu'] - Grandview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Megafu did especially well as a perimeter defender and rebounder. At roughly 6'2, the guard was certainly stronger and bouncier than a wide variety of opponents at this event. Proving capable of getting up higher than the vast majority of other guards, Megafu looks to be an impactful defender off the jump at Grandview.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2120966' first='Trace' last='Cook'] - The Classical Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cook is an especially well rounded perimeter prospect, given his compact shooting form and passing vision to cutting teammates. The 6'2 guard played to strengths throughout the afternoon, knocking down a barrage of three pointers throughout the day. Another aspect of Cook's impact came from his ball handling ability, allowing him to leverage self-created drives for scoring opportunities and passes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2120981' first='Gunnar' last='Dana'] - Holy Family</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dana brought a diverse portfolio to this event, finding ways to be versatile both as a shotmaker and facilitator. The guard was a confident shooter, hitting a few threes in the face of his opponent. When either attacking the rim or keeping the ball live, Dana found ways to make well timed passes through traffic.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2120968' first='Noah' last='Lucero'] - Roosevelt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucero was among the most effective transition scorers at this event, seemingly always appearing out of thin air as a trailing scorer. The guard had no fear of attacking the paint, regardless of incoming contests. Regardless of hand, Lucero was a consistent scorer on drives. Another aspect of his scoring punch came from pull-up mid-range jumpers, comfortable stepping into such attempts when the defense sagged off.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2120949' first='Nate' last='Susi'] - Horizon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Susi reaffirmed his rebounding and raw strength at this event. He was among the most productive backcourt defenders, truly embracing rebounding opportunities on both ends of the floor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2120954' first='Logan' last='McCanna'] - Evergreen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCanna did well finishing around the basket, either through post pivots or straight finishes through contact. The 6'5 forward has continued to progress as a finisher against physicality, doing well at contributing with either hand. His rebounding and shot blocking were impressive, doing well at maximizing his positional reach.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->