Border War: Rising Sophomores and Freshmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checking on a group of prospects the Classes of 2026 and 2027, who caught the eye last Saturday at The Circuit's Border War.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2297011"],"_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 second half of a morning contest for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075773' first='Oklahoma' last='Wolfpack'] was a nice sneak peak of the type of dynamic offensive weapon that Patrick-Cacciola could become.  He lived getting downhill, with transition slams and using his long arms to finish in the halfcourt.  The Lawton Wolverine guard carved out a niche this winter as more of a u00223 and Du0022 type weapon.  This start to his AAU season indicates he could use the 16U level to develop into a complete all around scorer.  Shooting, next level size and wingspan, flashes of athleticism and off the dribble ability, what's not to like about one of Oklahoma's quickest rising sophomores?","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2140743"],"_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":"Named MVP of the 15U Divison by The Circuit's official site, Howell continues to be one of the most productive freshmen in a talented 2027 Oklahoma Class.  His end to end speed remains ridiculous and he's an outstanding finisher for a smaller guard. With an amazing ability to make one more move or hang in the air a split second longer to get off a shot in contested areas. As the southeastern Oklahoma guard continues his long term development, keeping track of his shooting from is one potential area of improvement. Right now, there's a bit of a low release point for smaller guard, and it doesn't look as pure as some of the other top tier 2027 guards in Oklahoma.rnrnOverall, it's hard to ignore that the dynamic lefty guard has u0022Itu0022. In this case u0022Itu0022 is a combo of athletic gifts, motor and feel that currently makes him a nearly unstoppable package.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2384277"],"_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":"There's a lot to like for the sophomore forward prospect, who is a quality athlete with a great approach to the game.  He's a long strider who runs the floor hard. Around the basket, he did a good job of playing bigger than his size thanks to his broad shoulders and long wingspan. Those traits made Satepauhoodle a consistent finisher on Saturday, and he has the potential to be a forward that could be a high level rebounder. There's already a great base for an undersized forward with a collegiate future, but if he grows a couple more inches and becomes bouncier, look out!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2283661"],"_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":"The sophomore is playing up in the 17U Division, and he looked to be a natural fit with his squad.  Especially with some of the flashes he showed on the ball and athletically.   Valentine had a very strong sophomore campaign, primarily as a shooter who occasionally put it on the deck. This past week was a peak at more to his game, including an impressive transition slam. It was more than just one dunk too, he was overall more confident with pushing the ball himself and attacking off the bounce.  The Choctaw Yellowjacket is only scratching the surface of his high upside, as he previously looked to be trending toward being a wing.  But if the athleticism and ball handling continue to develop, he has the potential to become more of a two guard.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2135005"],"_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":"Joining Howell in forming a dynamic backcourt punch for JL3, Ankrah is continuing to come on strong after finishing his freshman campaign well for Southmoore.  What stands out is the attention of detail he must into his craft as a ballhandler and decision maker.  When comparing to the next level, he's not a lightning quick or a jawdropping athlete. But Ankrah has the suddenness and handles to get about anywhere he wants to on the court. And he has a fluidness to his movements to quickly rise into pull up jumpers, which have the u0022every shot looks like it's going inu0022 feel to them.  Skill tends to win out long term for guards in modern basketball, making the Sabercat a very interesting prospect to follow.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2140772"],"_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 ringleader of an athletic and up tempo group of guards for [program_tooltip program_id='2076067' first='Team' last='Trae Young'] 3SGB, Robinson's stood out from the start of a Saturday morning contest when he flashed above the rim finishing ability in transition.  Along with the bounce, he's a great athlete overall. With strong frame, quickness and body control on drives.  This weekend he looked to thrive in transition and bully ball type moves, but the framework is there for him to continue to mature into an all around guard.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["2326939"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Just like Robinson above, Osborn is another of the better athletes in the Class of 2027.  He turned it on especially in transition, with highlight reel slams and finishes.  The youngster is also a football standout, which definitely translated in how he approached the defensive end. He has DB instincts in passing lanes, while also not being afraid to use his strength to get physical.  Two sport stars of Osborn's build and athletic ability tend to lean football longterm, but he's still a big time athlete who deserves monitoring in hoops.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["2140750"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another prospect from [program_tooltip program_id='2076067' first='Team' last='Trae Young'] Ty's 15U group, the Norman North Timberwolf brought a different dimension to the squad that went 3-0.  While he still played the same breakneck, intense, defense as the rest of his teammates, he added another look on the offensive end. Hardeman was a steady long distance shooter throughout multiple games at the Border War.  Some of those makes came via taking advantage of open looks in transition and off teammate drives, but he also looks to have good feel with the ball in his hands.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc3639bb330"} /-->