Early Impressions: 2025 Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some early impressions from some senior guards who took the floor this week in the opening action of the 2024-25 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450995"],"_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-674b92db08f3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Seattle Academy didn't come away with the win, there were still some solid takeaways for the Cardinals in their season opener. Clemmons was a big factor for them with his tough drives and shot-making in the midrange. He looked much better attacking off the bounce and was able to knock down some tough pull-ups and turnarounds. He'll be a big scoring threat for them with his ability to get downhill and score around the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1984481"],"_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-674b92db08faf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vindivich came out with great energy on both ends and made several plays early on that helped set the tone for the Tigers. He played with pace all over the floor, jumping passing lanes, attacking space with the ball and showing he can consistently knock down open shots in the midrange. He was also key in transition with his hustle to beat guys down the floor for easy buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1984505"],"_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-674b92db08ff4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was an incredibly energetic player in Stadium's win over Bethel this week. Did some scoring off of dives down the middle, follows on the offensive glass, and some nice drives in to the hoop, but his biggest impact was with his defense. Did a great job staying in position to make plays, worked hard defending the ball along the perimeter, and even came over to make some nice blocks at the rim just getting to the spot quickly and going straight up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2622808"],"_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-674b92db09035"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was interested to see how Karl would look, getting to play more off the ball and he did a good job stretching the floor and attacking closeouts. He splashed in some outside shots and played off of that with a strong jab/first step to get to space and draw out extra defenders from the hoop. He'll be a key playmaker again for them but should also play a big role in keeping the floor spaced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631563"],"_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-674b92db09075"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I saw Kelly lighting it up from 3-point range this summer, and while he showed some good shooting touch this week at the Woodinville Jamboree, he also displayed some pretty solid slashing ability. He split defenders to the rim on several occasions and was pretty crafty with footwork, fakes, and passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->