Holiday Hoops Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We know the holiday season brings plenty of tournaments and showcases to the high school basketball scene, which is prime time for players to shine bright! There are most certainly some hidden gems scattered throughout the state, let's take a look and shine some light on a handful of the best but maybe not so well-known talents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2307659,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Dietz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Vilonia High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"WeAreHoopLife","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Standing at 6'7u0022 it's hard to overlook Dietz, literally. He has a handful of impactful performances this season working hard to show his abilities. The senior power forward produces a smooth shooting stroke with a high arcing release and can also work the post, whether he's backing opponents down or turning to face up. The stretch big has a 3-point shooting touch that is complemented by his long wingspan, helping him knock down the shot over defenders. Pay close attention to Ethan as the holiday hoops season wraps up.","_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":2307695,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"KJ Colen","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_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":"Pulaski Academy","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_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":"KJ is an intelligent and dependable playmaker with a high motor. Defending the wing is a specialty for him, often wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. You will notice him wearing your defense down by attacking confidently and looking to create opportunities for teammates. He brings a solid 6'0u0022, 170lb build with speed to keep defenders on their heels. The Bruin guard scored 13, 23, u0026amp; 18 in three consecutive wins in December, you can expect to see this continue throughout his junior season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1997206"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":2307698,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"When it comes to combo guards, May competes with the best. He is a tough matchup with his deep three accuracy and sharp ball handling. His ability to play off the ball brings another layer to his game. He utilizes his efficient catch and shoot jumper to score in bunches. One of his best assets is how he reads the floor and is very decisive. Justin has caught fire a few times already this season. He has scored 18+ points in 10 or more games, with huge outputs of 38 and 42 points. The unsigned senior is definitely talented and on a path trending upward, stay posted as he will generate plenty of interest.","_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":2307703,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2731188' first='Jude' last='Roberts']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Woodlawn High School","_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":"The crafty Woodlawn High School point guard is one to keep on your radar. After exploding for 36 earlier this month, he tailied 29 points last week in the Billy Ply Classic. He has a variety of moves at his disposal coupled with great footwork that enables him to score through traffic. He can shoot off the dribble and is no stranger to the mid-range game. You can tell he has a good sense of the entire court by his pace, which is steady and controlled. Only a sophomore you can most certainly expect to see his stock climb for the rest of this 23-24 season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6584f9b5ebe7b","backgroundColor":"primary"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021786"],"_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":"CJ is a fierce competitor and defined 2-way player. He loves playing downhill in transition and will stop on a dime for a pull up midrange if allowed. With a 6'3 sturdy frame he controls the ball with ease. Locking in on defense, he beats defenders to their spots on the floor. CJ constantly finds ways to stress ball handlers and create turnovers. He seems to often be in the right place at the right time to draw charges, too. The Jonesboro Hurricane is picking up offers from schools such as High Point University and Harding University and is looking to add to the list with a strong junior campaign.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","fullHeight":false,"anchor":"acf-block-658dc2e893b7d"} /-->