CHSAA Playoffs: Freshman Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High School basketball is a competitive club, where hard work can overcome skill and athleticism. But, it doesn't hurt to have all three at your disposal. This group of Freshman in the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/02/sophomores-juniors-chsaa-playoffs/">CHSAA playoffs</a> are showing everyone what it takes to compete at the highest levels of high school basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234125"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2369299,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2234125' first='Anderson' last='Diaz'] is on a tear during the CHSAA playoffs for St. Raymond's. Diaz shares the point guard duties with Junior, [player_tooltip player_id='1361737' first='Tai' last='Turnage'], creating a dynamic backcourt duo. Diaz has the ball on a string and breaks down a defense with ease at his age. Meanwhile, Diaz is mature enough to know when to take it all the way to the rim, or look for an open shooter. Against 4-star competition, Diaz has been a pest defensively and a handful on offense. Continuing to grow with every game, Diaz at 6'1u0022 showed his bounce at Fordham University. Adding to an already deep bag.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e73b26cc9b7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/InsideTheSoleNY/status/1765028786163069259?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/InsideTheSoleNY/status/1765028786163069259?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234395"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2369319,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2234395' first='Dillon' last='Callahan'] is a smart and aggressive player, willing to go straight at any defender.  We like Callahan's ability to create off the dribble and finish through contact. In two separate games during the CHSAA playoffs, Callahan drove with a purpose on fast breaks and dunked with authority over defenders. As a shooter, Callahan cannot be left open behind the arc. But, during the playoffs Callahan also created his own shot off the dribble. On the defensive end, Callahan is just as aggressive on the glass. His energy and effort often provided a spark for Iona Prep to go on a run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e73b26cca2e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234114"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2234114' first='Josh' last='Rivera'] playing as a Freshman for Stepinac in what could have been Boogie Fland's final game, shows the confidence coach Massaroni has in him. In his short stint, Rivera was very active on defense and Stepinac didn't miss a beat. On offense, Rivera went 1-2 from the 3-point line. Both shots were taken in the flow of the offense, and looked good upon release. With his length and trust of the coaching staff, Rivera is an interesting prospect to keep an eye on going into the spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e73b26cca7c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234403"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2369328,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2234403' first='Ray' last='Fernandez'] is 6'4u0022, long and moves well without the basketball. Because of his length, Fernandez can be troublesome on defense. Fernandez does a good job, contesting shots and attempts at the rim without fouling. For Iona Prep, Fernandez is at the wing spot, often slashing or popping out behind the 3-point line. When given space, Fernandez showed he can knock the the 3 ball consistently. This also creates space for his teammates to penetrate as Fernandez cannot be left alone.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e73b26ccb5a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234110"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2369339,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2234110' first='Talib' last='Martin'] has long arms standing at 6'4u0022. For St. Peter's, Martin was not asked to score the basketball. But when he did have the opportunity, Martin showed he could shoot the long ball. And in transition, Martin put the ball on the floor and got to the basket. As a rebounder, Martin plays with the effort you expect from a player his size. And his surprising strength bothered upperclassmen in the paint during the CHSAA playoffs. As his role will grow next season, Martin is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on moving forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e73b26ccbb3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e73b26ccbcf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will continue to monitor these players into the spring and summer. Only one, [player_tooltip player_id='2234125' first='Anderson' last='Diaz'], is still competing in the CHSAA playoffs at this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->