Saguaro Holiday Classic: Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday December 15th I attended the&nbsp;<strong>Saguaro Holiday Classic</strong>&nbsp;in Scottsdale. It had a nice blend of 8 schools of two West Side teams with Verrado/Apollo, three in Scottsdale with SCA/Sagu/Horizon, two East Valley with Maricopa/Gilbert Christian and one out of state team with New Trier/IL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here were the standouts from the four games I viewed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We <strong>move over to the top forwards:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1390361' first='Keon' last='Talgo'] Gilbert Christian (Pictured left)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring wing makes it look easy on all three levels. He posts up, scores on pull-ups and catch and shoot jumpers from mid to the three. He rebounds well with box outs, up the court passes and slip passes. He will also take it coast to coast off the glass to score.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2039516' first='Lopemi' last='Omole'] Gilbert Christian <strong>(Pictured right)</strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong power forward is a high level rebounder. He often scores in traffic shots versus bigger bodies and scores thru the contact. He is a top end shot blocker with his long arms and timing. He also has good hands to catch tough passes in the paint. He is nearly a double double machine every game he plays.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119323' first='Craig' last='Rodgers'] Horizon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big bodied post player with a high feel, strength and his passing abilities were on display. He has advanced post footwork and has a nice touch to score around the basket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1735324' first='Gary' last='Hoxie'] Maricopa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long power forward moves really well in space. He scores with a floater game and layups and put backs. He takes long strides to the basket and will score thru contact. He will throw it down impressively in traffic.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956209' first='Ruben' last='White'] Maricopa&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong frame and long armed power forward. He can score with runners and face-up to the three point line. He has good hands and gobbles up all balls with his two strong hands. He passes it well out of the double team.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1152192' first='Hunter' last='Wales'] Scottsdale Christian Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled power forward is very calm and patient in the post. He is a phenomenal passer for position and rebounds at a good clip. He is one of the their top scoring options.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595012' first='Christian' last='Acevedo'] Apollo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled four-man is a great passer with a good feel. He plays with his back to the basket and will go to work. He rebounds well and blocks shots. His post footwork is advanced and is very controlled inside the paint.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1141684' first='Jordan' last='Moreno'] Apollo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long forward cuts when he should. He is very long in the passing lanes and he is a good rebounder in and out of his area despite being lean. He often scores on offensive rebound put backs and can hit the catch three.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->