“DTermine Your Destiny”: 7th Grade Superlatives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phoenix, AZ — The "DTermine Your Destiny" Tournament provided a valuable platform for evaluating some of the top prospects from the Class of 2029 on the West Coast. As athletes enter their 7th-grade year, it marks a crucial juncture where they can begin to make a significant impact on the national youth basketball scene. This past weekend offered a preview of the emerging talent from the region and we highlighted five prospects that stood out…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Event Superlative Award: BEST ATHLETE</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":2362865,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kash McKinney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"AZ Dragons","_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":"Kash McKinney's athleticism was a standout asset throughout the weekend at the DTermine Your Destiny Tournament in Phoenix, AZ. His exceptional physical abilities allowed him to make a significant impact on both ends of the floor, showcasing his potential for future growth and development as an athlete. McKinney's athleticism not only enabled him to excel in various aspects of the game, including driving to the basket, defending, and rebounding, but it also hinted at his promising upside as he continues to refine his skills and sharpen his overall game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649b9f541be59"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Event Superlative Award: BEST BALL-HANDLER</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2759173' first='Jordan' last='Cruz']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Hoop Code","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2759173' first='Jordan' last='Cruz']'s adept ball-handling skills were on full display throughout the DTermine Your Destiny Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, showcasing his ability to maneuver past defenders with ease. Cruz's exceptional dribbling prowess allowed him to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates by breaking down defenders and penetrating into the lane. His skillful ball handling not only enabled him to navigate through traffic and create his own shot but also facilitated effective ball movement and offensive flow for his team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649b9f541be59"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Event Superlative Award: BEST DEFENDER</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":2362871,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cruz Kazmierski","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Hoop Code","_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":"Cruz Kazmierski emerged as a linchpin in Hoop Code's triumph in the 7th Grade Invitational Bracket at the DTermine Your Destiny Tournament, primarily due to his defensive prowess. Kazmierski's versatility on defense allowed him to effectively guard multiple positions, making it difficult for opponents to find easy scoring opportunities. His tenacity and determination on the defensive end set the tone for Hoop Code, as he consistently disrupted opposing offenses and denied them easy baskets.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649b9f541be59"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Event Superlative Award: BEST REBOUNDER</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":2362877,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zachary Margarita","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Team Inland","_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":"Zachary Margarita emerged as a dominant force on the boards during the DTermine Your Destiny Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, showcasing his prowess as a relentless rebounder. Margarita's ability to consistently track down missed shots and secure rebounds provided his team with crucial second-chance opportunities while limiting opponents' offensive possessions. His knack for positioning himself well under the basket and displaying excellent timing allowed him to consistently come down with rebounds on both ends of the floor. Margarita's impactful presence on the glass undoubtedly made a name for himself throughout the tournament, establishing him as a standout rebounder and a valuable asset for his team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649b9f541be59"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Event Superlative Award: BEST SCORER</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bernard Rodriguez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Team Inland","_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":"Bernard Rodriguez emerged as a standout scorer during the DTermine Your Destiny Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, showcasing his ability to consistently put points on the board. Rodriguez's versatility as a scorer was evident as he adeptly adjusted to defensive schemes to find scoring opportunities. Whether creating his own shot off the dribble or capitalizing on opportunities created by his teammates, Rodriguez displayed a knack for scoring in various ways. His teammates' ability to recognize his scoring prowess and effectively feed him the ball further facilitated his offensive contributions.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649b9f541be59"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->