6 Gamechangers from Regional Thursday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A six pack of prospects from three games on Regional Thursday who changed the game for their team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a busy night, watching three full games thanks to the magic of streaming in 2024. From Bishop McGuinness' upset of Bethany, to Mustang's fourth quarter rally against Putnam City West and Bishop Kelley outlasting a promising Tulsa Rogers squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2024093"],"_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":"The junior has been a steady three point threat for McGuinness, that continued on Thursday night. He hit a couple threes early, including a nice stepback three. Which got his confidence rolling. Then he started making Bethany pay off the dribble, with good takes, right into the teeth of the defense. Bradley isn't a dancer with the baller, he gets it and goes. There's some hesitations and other moves once he gets downhill, but his decisiveness on the night really paid off when he got toward the basket and was able to complement his perimeter shooter with his strong drives.  He was also Mr Clutch down the stretch in the upset victory. With a couple minutes left, he hit in the mid-range to break a tie. Then in the closing moments with his team up one, he calmly nailed both free throws to help settle the Irish down and help secure a big 45-42 win.  If Bradley is going to continue to be an all around scorer for the Irish, they're going to have a chance to keep shaking up the Class 4A playoffs. Starting with a Regional Championship game against Newcastle on Saturday night.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1475988"],"_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":"Bethany's star junior guard was a bright spot on the night.  He often had the ball on a string, allowing him to navigate through tight spaces and drives, while also routinely creating separation for off the dribble jumpers. Todd loves to get to the free throw or extended for his pull up, which netted good look overalls. But he was cold on the night in the mid-range.  Still, he has great hangtime on his jumpers and drives around the rim, often allowing him to get off good looks even when he doesn't gain as much separation.  And he also connected on a couple threes when McGuinness sagged off to account for his tight handle and driving ability.  It will now be a long road for the Bronchos, as they have two must win games just to reach Area.  That starts tomorrow, with Todd at the helm they will have a fighting chance because he is a handful off the dribble.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1391441"],"_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":"It's fun to watch good players battle through adversity. It's what helps turn good prospects into great prospects.  On the night, Miller was a marked man against Putnam City West's physical playing style. And he did not always get the kindest whistle from the refs.  But that did not deter him. The junior stayed hooked up on the defensive end, and pushed it off misses and other transition opportunities to get momentum rolling his way. Eventually, he started to earn trips to the line and it often come with more decisive plays. One of his better scores on the night came when he went baseline against the 6 foot 8 Rayfield, then used the rim to protect the ball on a great reverse layup finish. This was an important growth sign, as the skilled junior continues to have one of the best scoring packages in Oklahoma.rnrnMiller also saved some of his best plays for the final moments. After Mustang had trailed for much of the second half, it was a transition take by the junior that nudged them ahead in the fourth.  Then he stepped up on the defensive end. First it was using his long arms to deflect a baseline out of bounds pass, forcing a clutch turnover. Then he stayed big and protected the rim, forcing a miss that would help Mustang go on to win 54-50. Now, Miller has an even bigger test against Edmond North on Friday night.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1391440"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"It was takeover mode for Rayfield in the second quarter. He grabbed boards, pushed it in transition, had easy slams when given space around the basket, and helped Putnam City West edge ahead to end the first sixteen minutes.  It was the type of complete performance that can elevate a whole team in a big game.  But he faded a bit in the second half, especially as the whistle started to go against him.rnrnFor elite level prospects like the high upside junior, body language and how they react to adversity can be factors in what separates them. The junior is a passionate player, which is good when things are rolling right. But in the second half, the frustration seemed to negatively impact his play.  Especially as he had a couple turnovers and forced some tougher shots that didn't match the looks he had success on in the second half.  A bounce back game awaits on Friday night, with the chance to keep Putnam City West's playoff dreams alive.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1902715"],"_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":"The tall junior guard is a long strider, who eats up ground with big steps.  That made him a consistent rim threat in transition and halfcourt for the Comets.  But it wasn't just him looking to score. Essman had fantastic feeds to his teammates when the defense converged on him.  He showed his full array of passing ability with great touch passes out of the high post and accurate lobs to cutting teammates.  Essman was the engine that made the Bishop Kelley go. While also scoring some tough u0022old fashion three point playsu0022 on drives in the second half.  With his combination of size and playmaking instincts, he's becoming a very intriguing prospect who could rise quickly in the junior class.  Bishop Kelley would win 55-49, setting up a tough test with Regionals hosts Edison on Friday night.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2327102"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The Ropers are loaded with young talent and for this freshman guard the future is now. Titsworth is a quick and fluid athlete. These traits were evident when pulling up off the dribble, making plays for himself and his teammate in transition. He often looked like an upperclassman and not a freshman. There was an exciting steal, and finish through contact that showed great body control to get the shot off, and exceptional shooting touch.  Another plus is his deep range from three, as he twice hit from near the volleyball line.  Oklahoma's current freshman class is filled with skilled guards and the Rogers freshman is more proof of the depth of potential in an exciting Class of 2027.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d82a86390d1"} /-->