The Challenge- 2025 Standouts Pt.1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code "Proia30" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our scouts covered a great tournament this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, with 80 teams from the DMV and surrounding states converging on Loyola Blakefield to compete in a showcase event. We enjoyed catching some intriguing intra-conference matchups played next to a court with in-state rivals squaring off. Let's break down some of our top senior standouts!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1371858"],"_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-670cb2e309187"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Two dynamic performances on Saturday as a guard that can detonate above the rim at any moment while mixing in smooth shooting off the bounce from the midrange and 3 point line. The Delaware commit also showed that he can get it done defensively off the ball as a shot-blocker, collecting three in a game in a win over Hayfield. Want to see Ellison use his scoring gravity to effect the game as a play-maker this season as the leader of a Loyola team that can make some waves in the BCL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2242382"],"_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-670cb2e3091e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-McFarlane made a statement in a matchup with the host Dons, scoring the ball at a high level and showing off some sneaky bounce. McFarlane utilizes a great first step to get to his spots and rise up for a jumper at all 3 levels. His offensive versatility was on display as he made two athletic layups through contact, knocked down his FTs, hit a 3 off movement, hit a runner off glass to pull his team within one, hit a coast to coast layup to give them their last lead of the game, and almost landed a one-handed poster dunk in transition. McFarlane would be a great late cycle get for a LM coach looking for an explosive scoring guard with some upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1768965"],"_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-670cb2e309225"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Greene pick-n-popped his way back onto our radar as a shooter with good size that is comfortable letting it fly on C+S looks but can also duck under closeouts to lace an 18-footer. Greene hit a putback on a teammates' miss, hit two 1-dribble jumpers from the midrange, hit a pick n pop 3, and used his frame well to buck his defender backwards on the drive before lacing another pull-up middie. If Greene proves that he can guard multiple positions and speed up his footwork, he could be in for a stock-rising senior season at Riverdale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2621618"],"_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-670cb2e30925e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Undersized but explosive PG that initiates contact at both ends of the floor and fights hard over screens defensively. A great POA defender who showed the "want-to" and positioning IQ needed to cut off his opponent's trips to the basket, he sets the tone defensively for a young and rebuilding Calvert Hall team. Nalty knocked down a 3 off the catch, showed his speed on a runout for a transition layup, hit his defender with a nice crossover into the left-handed layup off glass, and showed the afore-mentioned defensive grit that college coaches love seeing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2340850"],"_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-670cb2e309296"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-One of the better rebounding guards in the state, Tillman extends a lot of offensive possessions with his work in the paint rebounding the basketball. He uses a strong frame to crash the glass amongst the trees but also to score on the putback. Loved the defensive activity as a help defender that beat his matchup to 50/50 balls to ignite the fastbreak for St. Mary's. His personal highlight of the game came on an aggressive drive to the rim where he refused to be denied, scoring to cut the lead to single digits with 4 minutes left in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->