War For The North: Backcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven guards who performed at a high level over the weekend in Shakopee at the Prep Hoops Next War For The North!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2381521"],"_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":"Raphael can flat out play. With his change of speed, feel for the game, vision, and shot making ability, he's an absolute weapon on the offensive end. He was so dangerous as a pick u0026amp; roll ball handler because he can get downhill to the basket, can pull-up for a jumper if you go under, and he has the vision to drop a dime if there's an opening for his big. All weekend long Raphael was able to get wherever he wanted to off the dribble, and had no problem handling under pressure. Defensively he was no slouch either. One game saw him force a five second call, and just a couple minutes later he picked up full court and picked his man's pocket for a steal. One of the top overall performers from the weekend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2392326"],"_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":"Max is already developing a promising mid-range game, and it was on display in the games I watched. He's able to play either guard spot because of how well he handles the ball, and once past one defender he showed comfort pulling up for a mid-range jumper. Denson is a very unselfish player, and with that he also kept his eyes scanning the floor and was able to find the open man if a help-side defender stepped up on him. When Team FSA was getting pressed, Max was trusted to bring up the ball and get his team into their offense. Good things seemed to happen when the ball was in Max's hands.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2382423"],"_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":"In semi-finals play, Adam stepped up with some of his teammates struggling in foul trouble. He's a scrappy guard who's not going to back down from anyone on both ends of the floor. Adam has some shiftiness with his handle, and was using it to get by his initial defender and get into the lane to make plays. Has some shooting range beyond the arc as well to keep defenders honest. When his team's offense stalled, Adam was able to attack and draw fouls to pick up some points at the free throw line.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2405197"],"_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":"Tyler was one of the best all-around players from the event, and was a big reason why the [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers'] took home the 14u championship. Both on and off the ball, Tyler was a major threat on the offensive end. He excelled at cutting hard off the ball to open up easy looks at the rim, but could also break you down off the dribble to get to the rim. Tyler has excellent touch to just spin the ball off the backboard from a variety of angles, which made him a high percentage finisher even when heavily contested. Add in a solid three point shot and Tyler was arguably the best bucket getter in the event.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2383972"],"_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":"Tyler showcased his outside shooting range with the Owatonna Huskies. Leave him too much space from beyond the arc, and Tyler could make you pay. There was no hesitation in his shot, and his high arcing shot was connecting at a solid rate. At 5'5 most of his scoring came from deep, but he showed nice change of speed to get into the lane and make plays as a facilitator.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2382427"],"_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":"I really liked the toughness that Duo brought to the floor for OMGBA. He wasn't afraid of the big moment, and in multiple close games he helped his team come away with wins. Ezekiel was so good at getting to the basket, and was almost impossible to stop when he got out in transition. At a young age he does a great job of playing off of two feet, which allowed him to finish at a high percentage even when getting fouled. Whenever he or a teammate made a big play, Ezekiel was getting his team fired up to help them pull away in close games. Was a big reason why OMGBA made it to the 13u title game.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["2381523"],"_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":"Kai has one of the highest ceilings out of players I saw over the weekend. Playing up a grade at the 14u level, Kai stands at 6'3 with limitless confidence from beyond the arc. He fits the mold of a long and lanky wing who can change the tide of a game with his outside shooting. Leave him a bit of space, and Kai is going to let it fly, and once he gets into a rhythm he can put points on the board in a hurry. Looking forward to seeing how Kai continues to grow as a player over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66154b40e2bbe"} /-->