Grit Region Finals: Teddy’s Sunday Standouts (Illinois)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of my most notable standouts from Sunday's Grit Region Finals hailing from Illinois. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1428973"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668c1b99584f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gabe Gonzales was a key factor inside for [program_tooltip program_id='2075622' first='M14' last='Hoops'] in the 17u quarterfinal. He converted a one-one bucket early on and showed tons of aggression inside the paint. Backed down defenders on numerous instances for inside scores. Also forced a touch shot in transition while being an active contributor on the boards. He gave H4H and its D1 prospects lots of problems. Especially in the early stages of this matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2423485"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668c1b995855d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another key playmaker for M14 national Sunday morning. Buchanan displayed a smooth layup package every time he attacked the rim. He blocked a 3-pointer out of bounds defensively in addition to forcing several missed shots from [player_tooltip player_id='1385291' first='Jeremiah' last='Fears']. Later showed range with a pair of contested 3-pointers in the second half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1385291"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668c1b99585a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was the first time in a while I got to see [player_tooltip player_id='1385291' first='Jeremiah' last='Fears'] play. Had a chase-down block early against M14 National to go along with a midrange jumper. Showed more aggression attacking the rim later on. Opened the 2nd half with a two-handed dunk and attempted a posterizing finish shortly after. But the best part of his game this morning was undoubtedly his playmaking abilities. Seemed to always find an open teammate whenever he was swarmed, leading to lots of assist chances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2045857"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668c1b99585e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was the second time I got to watch Hillsman. Playing up this week on the 17u Hoops4Health team, Hillsman frustrated opponents this morning with excellent perimeter defense. Forcing numerous missed shots from outside the arc. He even blocked a shot off the backboard midway through this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2407868"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668c1b9958622"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'3” SG for Illinois Mavs played up on the 17U circuit. Buried a pair of catch-and-shoot 3's in the opening half while also getting guys involved as a passer. Grabbed an offensive board and followed that up with a fadeaway jumper later on. Defense improved as the game went on. Did a good job at keeping opponents in front of him in addition to some defensive boards. Then put-back an offensive miss to make it a one-score game in the closing minutes. Then hit a baseline floater to give the Mavs a lead in the final minute.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2442137"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668c1b9958660"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'6” F for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']. Opened the 17u semifinal with 8 points. Using good upper solid strength to power his way to the rim. Also showing solid footwork on the low block to avoid silly travel calls. Had a chase-down block in transition midway through the second half in addition to more activity on the glass. Opened the championship game with a one-handed dunk attacking baseline and had another ferocious dunk later on in a blowout vs H4H.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2442146"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668c1b995869e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'6” F for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']. Opened the 17u semifinal with 8 points. Using good upper solid strength to power his way to the rim. Also showing solid footwork on the low block to avoid silly travel calls. Had a chase-down block in transition midway through the second half in addition to more activity on the glass. Opened the championship game with a one-handed dunk attacking baseline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->