4A Southwestern Preseason All-Conference Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too early to start thinking about high school ball, and the fall is the perfect time to take into account our grassroots observations from the summer and determine who some of the best players in each conference are going to be. Our first article in the series highlights the Southwestern 4A conference, with teams like Butler, East Meck, and Charlotte Catholic highlighted. Check out our picks for their all-conference teams below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Team</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1975400"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Last Season Stats (@ West Charlotte) - 3.0 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 48% FGrnrnHouston has a big chance to shine now at Rocky River after a big spring/summer on the grassroots circuit. Physical and downhill driver with the ball in his hands on offense, with a lot of toughness and spark. Can shoot the pull-up mid-range jumper as well. Dogged defender that has a lot more passion and physical toughness on that end compared to many others. Should be the key man for the Ravens this winter.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1076351"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 10.2 PPG, 3.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 32 3PMrnrnShowalter's running mate and an impressive point guard in his own right, Heath should be another big part of their success this year. He's quick, shifty, and impressive while attacking defenders hips. Able to make the right read off the dribble and in motion. Going to make defenders pay on occasion from deep and attacking himself, but is really geared towards feeding his teammates offensively.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1591916"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 10.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.1 APGrnrnMy undisputed conference POY after what he's shown over the last 4 months. Legitimate 3 level scorer with some real pop around the rim. Can't run him off the line because of his ability to get downhill and attack closeouts. Smooth lefty stroke from the perimeter, and can shoot it off the bounce and the catch. His height makes him a legitimate 3 at the next level and also has a plus wingspan. Going to take the conference by storm this year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2280601' first='Tosh' last='Alberga']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Independence","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 9.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.3 BPG, 52% FGrnrnAlberga is a high flying, springy forward that will anchor the paint again this year. Has great length and shot-blocking ability. Offensively dunking everything and playing around the basket. Would love to see an expansion of his post game/perimeter game this year as well. Should be a target for local schools.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1286838"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 5.6 PPG, 2.9 RPGrnrnRapid riser this summer and should be ready to dominate the front court for Charlotte Catholic this season. Wiry kind of forward but looks stronger than in seasons past, which should allow him to continue to finish strong inside. Good out of ballscreens and around the rim finishing, with good footwork down low. Has a bit of a post game with a turnaround jumper and faceup ability to attack slower defenders. An intriguing 4 man for D1 coaches to watch and a name that should pop out locally this year.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de745017e83"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Second Team</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1292672"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 5.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.7 APGrnrnBowman is undersized, yet a feisty playmaker and facilitator for whatever group he plays for. He can get to his spots as a scorer, which includes the mid-range pullup as well as a drive straight to the rim. Excels as a facilitator though, finding teammates and maintaining composure while running the offense. Going to fight hard and stick to his man defensively. Should have a big year that stuffs the stat sheet as the floor general of his group.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2132905' first='Ahmari' last='Hicks']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"East Mecklenburg","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Team HOPE Gripper","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 8.0 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 43% 3FG, 65 3PMrnrnHe should be an important piece with the departure of two 20+ PPG scorers, and his offensive skillset complements what East Meck is looking to do. Knockdown shooter who is also a threat off the bounce. Playing off ball will continue to help him shoot it well, but we'll see more of his mid-range game and isolation scoring this year with a higher usage rate for him. I would not be surprised at all to see him finish as a top five player in the conference either.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1154669"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 3.7 PPG, 2.4 APG, 41% FGrnrnI'm excited to see a big jump in production with the backcourt all to Gates this upcoming year. He shined as a complementary piece this summer with BSA Supreme, but should be able to put his shooting ability, off-ball instincts and unselfish mentality to use. He'll handle the ball more, so I expect his assist numbers to continue to rise and show how he's smart with the ball to go along with his impressive vision. Should be their leading scorer along with Eagan this year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Yancy Thomason","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Independence","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 8.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 35 3PMrnrnHe should have a much more defined and prominent role this year as a scoring guard. High volume shooter that spaces the floor and impacts the game from the perimeter. He'll be an issue to chase around and guard throughout the season. Able to drive the ball and attack a closeout if the defense tries to close him down. Defends his position well and should be able to switch onto multiple guys each night. Him and Alberga will be double digit scorers for sure.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Shamari Johnson","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Rocky River","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Last Season Stats - 12.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 58% FGrnrnA really underrated name because of his lack of AAU track record, Johnson may be shaping up to have a huge year on the HS circuit. He's a high usage wing that knocks down shots, finishes through contact, and finds his teammates. A real Swiss Army knife offensively that lets you plug and play. Super disruptive defensively as well, with good length and hands that cause havoc on that end. I wouldn't be surprised to see him put up a double double and get next level looks this year.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de745018063"} /-->