Small School Standouts – 2A Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While much of the spotlight in HS basketball is shined on the big schools and the prep schools with talented players, we don't give the small town guys enough credit. 1A and 2A schools from underrepresented regions of the state have talented players, and this end of season wrap up series intends to highlight those. Check out some of the best passers and playmakers from this season from the 2A schools below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1030028"],"_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":"Battle is averaging 4.1 assists a game as a ball handling combo guard for West Caldwell this year, operating in a supporting role all season long. What's even better is his almost 2.0 assist/turnover ratio, showcasing his ability to take care of the ball and make good decisions. Of course, it's always easy to rack up those assists with a guy like [player_tooltip player_id='1774476' first='Jordan' last='Patterson'] scoring buckets off his passes, but Battle sets him up well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2171812"],"_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":"Rodriguez and Hendersonville crashed out in the first round of the state tournament, but his 104 assists on the year came out to just over 4 per game this season. He's an unsigned senior regional programs should track due to his physicality at the point guard spot as well as his ability to constantly probe and find open for teammates as well. Also a capable scorer when his team needs him to get to the rim or shoot from deep.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1169577"],"_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":"McKoy is an undersized guard, but also a dynamic threat to both put the ball in the basket or set up his teammates night in and out. He's had some huge games this year, including 41 points in his conference championship game, but also has 164 total assists on the season, or over 6 assists per game. He's able to attack the basket and shoot the deep ball well, causing defenses to gravitate towards him. This is when he uses his playmaking abilities, looking for open teammates.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1062166"],"_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":"Matheka is part of potentially the best backcourt in ENC with [player_tooltip player_id='1030009' first='Shamel' last='Baker'], and the two of them combine for 11.8 assists per game. Both feed off of each other, usually consisting of them attacking closeouts and getting downhill, then becoming able to find the other open on the weak side or looking to spot up for shots or drives. The two of them could be a package deal somewhere, but are definite college players that should get an opportunity at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1716474"],"_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":"Neal shows why he's a generational passer in this state night in and out, averaging over 10 assists a game and only 54 total turnovers on the season. He's quick enough to put pressure on the rim and on the defense as a whole all the time, which opens passing lanes and lobs up. It doesn't hurt to have one of the most phyiscally dominant big men in the state running alongside him too. He'll be in line to break plenty of assist records if they were tracked in NC.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e13f9303e64"} /-->