Continental League Preview – Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mountain Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catapulted by superb shotmaking from [player_tooltip player_id='1369819' first='Cal' last='Baskind'] (18.2 PPG) and about as much production in the paint as anyone from [player_tooltip player_id='2107072' first='Oliver' last='Junker'], Mountain Vista looks to be a pest within this league. Junker in particular is quickly rising, previously averaging a double double while leading 6A in blocks per game and one of two names at that level averaging 3+ blocks per game. They retain valuable role players like [player_tooltip player_id='2408107' first='Carlos' last='Arocho'] (5.6 PPG, 3 APG) and [player_tooltip player_id='1479332' first='Wesley' last='Baskind'] (6.5 PPG). X-factor names include [player_tooltip player_id='2393198' first='Hudson' last='Rooney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1903589' first='Payson' last='Land'], both are incoming juniors who have made steady improvements in their development this summer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ponderosa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Largely a blank slate following nearly a full roster turnover of graduating 2024s, Ponderosa looks to regroup within a difficult conference. Retaining guards [player_tooltip player_id='1943651' first='Blake' last='Nuss'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1490824' first='Cade' last='Heiden'], these names should have a prominent role alongside the new names entering the conversation this month.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Regis Jesuit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by [player_tooltip player_id='1764294' first='Eric' last='Fiedler'], the division 1 caliber forward is primed for another high usage season following 19 PPG averages, tasked as their offensive engine yet again. Following a beneficial 16-9 record, this group boasts skill and size along with [player_tooltip player_id='1497871' first='Lucas' last='Dickinson'] (10.5 PPG), who recently committed to Denison. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2466514' first='Mason' last='Marshall'] (5.9 PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='1479352' first='Alec' last='Roumph'] (8.4 PPG) will be essential along the perimeter, both to space the floor and create quality looks while Fiedler is off the floor.&nbsp;Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2092293' first='Joseph' last='Haubert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2385133' first='Brandon' last='Hawkins'] will step into much more important roles, providing a steady impact in events throughout this summer for the Flyers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Rock Canyon&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Canyon brings in a few new names at the helm, particularly with up and coming 6'5+ guard [player_tooltip player_id='2048131' first='Jacob' last='David'] (5.8 PPG). Bringing a twitchy handle and dynamic perimeter shotmaking arsenal, he will be set for success this season. Not to mention returning leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='1478270' first='Kasen' last='Lehman'], coming off of a 15 PPG effort where he remains among the most consistent floor spacers around the region. Flanked by guards [player_tooltip player_id='1478272' first='Andrew' last='Abner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2478608' first='Davis' last='May'], this group will have ample backcourt depth to work with. Forwards [player_tooltip player_id='2574721' first='Jonah' last='Medina'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2478614' first='Kai' last='Valentine'] look to be x-factors for this group, bringing the size to compete versus bigger frontcourt opponents if necessary.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>ThunderRidge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Third year frontcourt prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1622321' first='Drew' last='Paine'] (5.1 PPG) enters a new chapter of his career, taking on a rapidly bigger role as an offensive hub and post scoring weapon. Alongside returning wing [player_tooltip player_id='1371835' first='Ulysses' last='Brown'], who was sidelined from injury last season, this group retains a good amount of size to compete on the glass. Brown will be a fascinating name to follow, boasting improved skill along the perimter as a secondary playmaker and shotmaker. They also bring in a few skilled guards with the court vision to handle opposing pressure, including [player_tooltip player_id='2633236' first='Aman' last='Binu'], [player_tooltip player_id='2381948' first='Sam' last='Walkowiak'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2117082' first='Justice' last='Wolff']. They retain some of their shooters from distance, such as [player_tooltip player_id='1577496' first='Kael' last='Carney'] (4.8 PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='1581420' first='Nicholas' last='Quartaro']. Other names have shown intrigue as developing role players, including [player_tooltip player_id='1637678' first='Joey' last='Walkowiak'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1848641' first='Nick' last='Seng'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->