Curtis Winter Classic: Notable Posts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend, the Curtis Winter Classic took place in University Place with eight teams competing over the three-day tournament. Check out some of the notable big men putting in work over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587955"],"_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-676dba46a5d14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mills was one of the most skilled posts at the tournament and he showed it with his ability to play physical in the post while staying in control, and with some soft shooting from further away. His big frame makes you aware of the power he brings down low, but he also found success in some quick pick-and-pops, working off of [player_tooltip player_id='1450996' first='Landen' last='Birley']'s ability to attack inside. Mills also showed some soft touch inside, working against longer players and finding quick shooting windows to exploit or going high off the glass over the top of shot-blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2173106"],"_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-676dba46a5d83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lavatai came up huge in Curtis' front court taking on an expanded role with Ahrens missing their game against Doherty. He was tough to move inside, did a great job making tough catches around the hoop, and working to get the ball as close in as he could to get shots off quickly and efficiently. He was strong on the glass and really provided that post presence and toughness they were missing with Ahrens out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2384295"],"_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-676dba46a5dcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roper wasn't the tallest post out there by any means but he's a bouncy, strong kid who put in some great work on the offensive glass and was able to get some nice drives from further out to beat slower bigs off the bounce. He showed off some real toughness on the glass with strong hands and a quick lift off the floor. Roper also had some nice finishes with either hand at the hoop and is a pretty athletic kid who should continue to show more as the season goes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2384357"],"_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-676dba46a5e13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Woodard was solid all weekend long crashing the glass, using his length and some athleticism to attack the ball and rip down boards, and was able to provide some solid interior defense at times. He was pretty smart with the rock too, hitting some free throw line jumpers in space, not trying to do too much in traffic, and making quick decisions to keep the offense flowing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2173023"],"_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-676dba46a5e58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Estes came up big in their final game of the tournament against Timberline. He is a long kid and had an impact on both ends, blocking a few shots, and getting off some quick jump hooks off of catches inside. He had the clear height advantage in this one and was great at flashing middle and recognizing his opportunities to take high-percentage shots. He finished the game with 17 points after playing sparingly in the first two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->