Grandview Preseason League: Valuable Facilitators

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guards were highly impactful facilitating for teammates, playing a vital role handling the ball without turning it over often. Two-way impact and leadership are a must at the collegiate level, these guards all embody these necessities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1879191' first='Alonzo' last='Rodgers'] - Cherokee Trail - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodgers was an impressive pick and roll facilitator against Rangeview, taking advantage of their aggressive defensive traps to find rolling teammates. Although undersized, the guard plays with a chip on his shoulder, allowing him to be a dynamic shotmaker and passer in tight windows. There is no doubt that Rodgers will be a valuable facilitator with this group, likely leading the offensive system through his passing pedigree off the bounce. His quick feet and low center of gravity make Rodgers an impactful point of attack defender, capable of taking away space from opponents early on.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1369816' first='Lorenzo' last='Contreras'] - Smoky Hill - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Contreras is another guard bringing in an especially high feel for the game, complemented by quick reactions and great coordination. There are few guards who are as impactful on the defensive end of the floor, taking away space quickly while keeping active hands. Given his ability to see the floor on an outlier level, Contreras is an excellent facilitator on offense and devastating defender in help or at the point of attack. Offensively, he has the ball on a string getting downhill either direction, actively passing the rock once help approaches. He possesses great vision at his position, staying consistent at finding teammates through tight windows. Continuing to progress his spot-up perimeter jump shot and overall strength will be areas worth following throughout his high school career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1479328' first='Royce' last='Edwards'] - Rangeview - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards is a crafty shotmaker who is about as tough to defend as anybody when rolling. Capable of creating space from behind the back dribble moves or between dribble combos, the guard is effective rising up into jumpers in tight space. His range extends well beyond the three point line, capable of knocking down three's off the catch or while stepping into such attempts. Certainly a fearless scorer, the guard can tie together an array of combo moves to slither deep into the paint for layup attempts. Continuing to find ways to change speeds in the half court will be important for Edwards, especially before he enters the paint, since help defense is so aggressive trapping him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ant Nettles - Douglas County - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nettles is a very crafty guard who lets the game come to him, doing an excellent job of surveying the floor while remaining a threat at all times. Capable rising up into quick pull-up jumpers, he is notably adept at quickly readjusting for shot attempts out of ball screens. His twitchy playstyle with the ball makes him tough to predict, only a select few guards are capable of matching up with him. Defensively, Nettles is very quick with his feet and hands, quickly taking away space from opponents. He does well at making his nearest point of attack defender uncomfortable, getting into their space early to stunt drives.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->