GameChangers: Freshman Showcase Superlatives (Part One)

This content series is sponsored by <a href="https://gc.com/home/football?utm_source=prepredzone&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2022prepredzone&utm_content=gamechangeroftheevent&utm_term=partner">GameChanger</a> – The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Hoops.   This GameChangers article will cover a wide range of players from the Freshman Showcase and identify what specific skill or archetype makes these players game-changers. Here are some Freshman Showcase Superlatives from the field of 67 players who attended the event Saturday in Bellevue.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Send it Back</h3>   Top Shotblockers   [player_tooltip player_id='2140829' first='Julius' last='White'] Renton   This guy brought the ball down the court and played on the perimeter on offense but was all around the rim on defense, stuffing shots and altering plenty more.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140818' first='Jack' last='Thompson'] Shorecrest   There were a few ambitious players who went at the 6-foot-8 big man but Thompson was ready to deny them. The big man showed great range on defense that helped him defend the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140802' first='Achilles' last='Reyna'] Eastside Catholic   Reyna wasn't just one of the biggest players at the event, but also one of the most athletic. He moves pretty smoothly and that probably fooled some players into thinking they could get shots by Reyna in the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140862' first='Tev' last='Uttech'] Chelan   Uttech is only about 6-foot-4 but he has great length and used impeccable timing to block lots of shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140811' first='Drake' last='Penberthy'] Bellevue Christian   Penberthy was another kid who timed up his block attempts really well, and often blocked the shot before it even left the shooters' hands.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Coast to Coast</h3>   End-to-End Threats   [player_tooltip player_id='2140855' first='Ronnie' last='Wiggins'] Bellarmine Prep   His end-to-end speed was fun to watch and while he was always ready to run, he played under control and that mix of pace and awareness was tough to stop.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140802' first='Achilles' last='Reyna'] Eastside Catholic   It was a bit surprising to see Reyna taking the ball up the court but it was almost a gimme at times with his ability to get downhill and finish right through defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140805' first='Brian' last='Stevenson'] Olympia   Stevenson was a nice surprise at the showcase. He flashed some handles at times and was able to weave through defenses with his strength and when he found lanes he usually got all the way to the cup.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Finessing</h3>   Scoring with Strength and Style   [player_tooltip player_id='2140846' first='Micah' last='Ili-Meneese'] Renton   This guy was able to show off a smooth handle while exhibiting the necessary strength to hold off defenders and create just enough space to hit some tightly contested shots.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140825' first='Jimmie' last='Haywood III'] Bellevue   Haywood showed off a great blend of size, strength, skill, and explosiveness that helped him get to the rim at will on Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1936885' first='Edison' last='Kan'] Bellevue Christian   Kan was a pretty patient player and picked his spots well. That being said, he has the talent to score from almost anywhere on the court and showed off that ability with some real grace and strength.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bigs Bringing it Up</h3>   Point-Forwards   [player_tooltip player_id='2140811' first='Drake' last='Penberthy'] Bellevue Christian   He wasn't just a big rebounder, Penberthy also was ready to bring the ball down and create off the dribble to set up teammates too. He's a really versatile player who can help start the break right off the glass.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140829' first='Julius' last='White'] Renton   I mentioned it earlier, but White was capable of blocking a shot and then immediately taking the ball down the other way. He has long strides and was really able to work the ball deep and take the ball rim-to-rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140802' first='Achilles' last='Reyna'] Eastside Catholic   He didn't just take it coast to coast, Reyna also brought the ball down ready to set up the offense and orchestrate some flow among his team. He showed some pretty good vision and was confident with the dribble.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top of Their Class</h3>   High IQ Players   Jayden Hunt Lake Washington   There was an ease to his play that comes with having a great understanding of the game. He made smart plays, key passes, and was able to create good looks with minimal movement and effort.   [player_tooltip player_id='2056716' first='Marley' last='Miller'] Edmonds Woodway   Miller saw the entire court so well and was making plays in every facet of the game. It started with reading his man and taking it from there, but he was equally aware off the ball and making plays however he could.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140802' first='Achilles' last='Reyna'] Eastside Catholic   Reyna gets the nod for IQ here because of his recognition and confidence to take over when the offense stalled. He did try and work the ball around, but when that didn't work he understood he had the ability to take his man to the hoop with a high probability of scoring.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140819' first='Jackson' last='Sasser'] Bonney Lake   Sasser made the absolute most of his touches. Almost every touch he had resulted in either a quick bucket or an assist. He was ready to make the next move before he got the ball and was a key guy on his team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1936885' first='Edison' last='Kan'] Bellevue Christian   Kan did a little bit of everything and made really smart choices deciding when to pass or shoot. He's got a great feel for spacing on the floor too.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Footwork Phenoms</h3>   Dicing Up Defense with the Dribble   [player_tooltip player_id='2140866' first='Zion' last='Stone'] O'Dea   I don't know if there were many players who made it look as easy as Stone did on Saturday. He was super efficient with the ball and as graceful as they come stepping around and between defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='2141308' first='Devin' last='Freeman'] Lake Stevens   He may have had the quickest feet at the showcase and could beat two guys with just two or three steps. He cut up defenses all day with his ability to drive the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140825' first='Jimmie' last='Haywood III'] Bellevue   His footwork success really stemmed from his work out of the triple threat. Hard jabs and smooth pivots got his man working before he even put the ball down and helped Haywood get the first step quite often.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140820' first='James' last='Hudson'] O'Dea   Hudson was a lightning rod at times and was a tough man to keep away from the rim. He had some quick, bursty moves and was constantly stepping around defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140852' first='Ray' last='Clark III'] O'Dea   His finishing may not have been where he wanted but Clark was pretty smooth with the rock and left a couple of defenders stuck watching him blow by them.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mini Maestro's</h3>   Undersized Crafty Guards   [player_tooltip player_id='2140861' first='Tariq' last='Taylor'] Graham Kapowsin   Taylor was really good at shifting defenders with ball fakes and using his eyes to throw them off his trail. Whether he was opening up passing or driving lanes, he had his moments of brilliance faking out the defense.   Yeseong Cho Fleetwood Park Secondary (CAN)   Cho could not be stopped at times inside. He was super smooth weaving around defenders to get to the rim and had some real sneaky finishes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1685500' first='Karson' last='Maze'] Mead   Maze was a terror at times and his combo of explosiveness and IQ allowed him to get to his spots and create buckets in a hurry.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Holding it Together</h3>   Ultimate Team Guys   [player_tooltip player_id='2140819' first='Jackson' last='Sasser'] Bonney Lake   Sasser was efficient with his shots, chipped in assists in transition, and had some big rebounds too. He was just a key guy helping do a little bit of everything for his team.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140830' first='Justin' last='Vaughn'] Reardan   Vaughn had some good pace to his play and he was always ready to play when the ball came his way. He was chasing down loose balls, running in transition, and hit some big shots from three.   EJ Manning Edmonds Woodway   Manning was another kid just out there hustling and doing whatever he could to help his team. He was working his tail off crashing the boards, running in transition both ways, and making hard cuts in the halfcourt.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140848' first='Niko' last='Ahhi'] Clarkston   Ahhi was a really smart player who was secure with the ball, hit some threes to space the floor, and made great defensive rotations.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140853' first='Rhett' last='Huber'] Bellevue Christian   Huber was another kid that didn't quite find bottom like he's probably used to but he didn't let that stop him from playing hard and chipping in in other ways. He set hard screens, had some great pin-downs, and worked hard to get his man boxed out when the shots went up.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140837' first='Kellen' last='Matt'] Seattle Prep   Matt brought a little bit of it all to the table. He's a taller kid who had some slashing ability, was good boarding the ball, defended multiple positions and made sure to get out on the break with his team.

This content series is sponsored by GameChanger – The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Hoops.