Top Performers: North Rock Creek vs McLoud

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McLoud hosted North Rock Creek in a big Class 4A clash that came down to the wire. It was a game of runs, with McLoud racing ahead in the first quarter. Which was followed by a dominating second frame from North Rock Creek, allowing them to take a strong lead into the halftime break. McLoud would come charging back, leading to a fourth quarter where the team's traded leads throughout. In the end, the third ranked Cougars would take a lead through the clutch play of [player_tooltip player_id='2332972' first='Caleb' last='Hawkins'] and survive a couple looks from three from McLoud, giving NRC the 68-67 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2332972"],"_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":"A physical football standout, Hawkins plays the role of enforcer around the rim but has more to his game.  It started early where he was a quality passer, including a nifty no look drop off in transition. He was also a steady scorer from 15 feet in. Hawkins can of course finish physically and well around the basket. While also having good touch on free throw line jumpers and floaters.rnrnThe best example of that came in the game's closing minute where he attacked from the wing, elevated and got the roll on a 8 footer for what would be the game winning score. It was a clutch play for the tough junior, who seems to switch perfectly from being a role player doing the little things to being a primary scoring option for the Cougars.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2332963"],"_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":"After North Rock Creek's slow start, it was the rock solid play of King that helped steady the ship and spark a first half comeback.  Smith hit three times from beyond the arc in the first half, which helped opened up driving lanes for himself and his teammates.  On those drives, he's an ideal point guard who can get deep and kick it out creating shooting opportunities for his teammates through traditional and hockey assists. A second half injury derailed his strong performance and he unfortunately didn't check back in.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2332976"],"_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":"NRC comes across as a team where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole, and Coomers' performance tonight is a great representation of that. The lanky junior stepped up as an active defender and a floor stretcher for the Cougars. When left open, he made the defense pay from three with a silky looking touch on his jumper. Even though he has a skinny frame, his height and plus wingspan gives him the ability to scrap around the rim, as evident with an early putback and help defense with quick hands on a steal.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2332968"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":2333002,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The lefty has an unorthodox form, but he lets it fly from confidence, even a few steps from beyond the arc. And for good reason, he poured in a game high 31 points. Much of it coming from beyond the arc, including a three that broke the seal for him that had to be near NBA range. He's most comfortable bombing from distance, but has a strong frame and had spurts of attacking the rim throughout the contest. Matlock leaned on his left hand when finishing, even when going to the right, which is an area to keep an eye one.rnrnIt was the first viewing of the senior sharpshooter and he left quite an impression with his proficiency from deep.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1581112"],"_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":"A bouncy, defensive minded guard, Cowns relentlessly attacked the rim to start the game. He was rewarded with a pair of slams in the first half and would score 23 points. A lot of his scoring did come around the rim, where his quick off his feet explosiveness and long arms gives him a huge edge when finishing. But he did hit a nice turnaround in the mid-range and does seem to be developing a counter punch and a jumper to when teams try to play off him to negate his athleticism edge.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b496d1f0832"} /-->