Curtis Winter Classic: Notable Guards (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Curtis Winter Classic took place this past weekend with eight teams vying for the tournament title. Here are some more notable guards from the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2124021"],"_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-676b108a68a81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Odie only averages 6.7 points per game on the season, but he was a key player for Doherty especially in their opening game when their usual top scorer was hobbled. Odie went off from 3-point range and put the rest of the teams on notice with his sharpshooting, finishing with 14 points to help pace the Spartans. Aside from his shooting, he also played with good intensity and pace, making a bigger impact with his penetration in the later games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450998"],"_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-676b108a68b1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dickau didn't put up huge numbers but he was a key energy guy for the Wildcats who ran the show and made some important shots and hustle plays. He was especially key in their win over West Valley, getting around tight defense on the perimeter and dishing out some assists from the middle. His energy was felt throughout the weekend as well, hustling for long rebounds and making some defensive stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1984497"],"_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-676b108a68b91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tichenor continues to shoot the rock at a high level from 3-point, but he also showed off his improved creation skills, getting into the midrange to hit pull-ups and weaving through the defense to create openings for teammates. He had a really strong game against O'Dea, finishing with 14 points but also really excelling in setting up teammates from different spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1485586"],"_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-676b108a68bfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simmons had to grind this weekend, playing physical inside and also dealing with some foul trouble against O'Dea. But he showed some good grit to continue to battle, was a tenacious rebounder on both ends and stayed with the play to grab his own misses inside and go back up. He also showed his defensive versatility, guarding a vast array of players from lengthy bigs to quick guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2473468"],"_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-676b108a68c78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The West Valley freshman has been very impressive out of the gates, and probably the most impressive aspect of his game so far has been his ability to run the point for a team with big expectations. He looks so composed with the rock, able to keep his defender at a distance, switch up pace, and get his team set up in the half-court. He has a great feel for the game and did some solid scoring from the midrange and at the hoop this weekend to go along with his steady point guard play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1278451"],"_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-676b108a68ce4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Davis guard showed up big in their win over O'Dea, finishing with 14 points but also keeping some of the Irish's quick guards at bay with his handle and burst. He was guarded tough all game but countered that pressure at the top with his own quickness and was key in getting their offense moving and the defense shifting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611276"],"_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-676b108a68d51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sparrow had a solid weekend, showing some impressive strength and downhill ability, especially in their game against West Valley. He can knock in some shots from outside and get a little creative in the paint, but it was his straight-line attacking after getting a crease and his power at the rim that really stood out for the sophomore guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450991"],"_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-676b108a68dbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tita was a key component of Kentwood's run to the championship game, putting up 19 points in their opening game and 15 in their semi-final matchup. He was a tough downhill attacker who continues to show excellent ability to freeze his defender and then blow by. He also mixed in some quick spin moves to get to his left, and some tough rebounding. Tita also had the game-winning shot in their semi-final game, sinking a tough paint shot at the buzzer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->