Pasco County Preview: More names to know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pasco County, Florida, has seen an explosion of talent on the hardwood in the last few years. We are taking an early look at some of the most dynamic players in the county who you should look out for to make significant impacts on their teams this season.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679384"],"_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-67575f692a356"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cypress Creek has had a tough stretch of games to start the year. However, Castro has been a consistent presence, averaging 14 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals over their first six outings. Castro is a strong athletic presence and plays with an attack-the-rim mentality. His baseline drive attacks are poised, utilizing floaters and spin moves, and his ability to play off two feet is impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Currently sitting at 717 career points, he has the potential to join the 1K point club towards the end of the season if he remains consistent. Given that defenses often load up against him, he creates gravity that helps his teammates get quality looks. He is adept at distributing the ball when his teammates are open, earning almost 3 assists per game. His solid rebounding and nearly 2 steals per game demonstrate his capability as a strong two-way player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Chris Stoddart","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mitchell High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67575f692a48d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stoddart has looked solid early this season, playing primarily in the post for Mitchell. He has been impressive at carving out space in the paint and securing rebounds. Offensively, most of his damage is done off putbacks, and defensively, he excels at clearing rebounds and finding his guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What we really like about Stoddart is his ability to do his work early in the possession. He tracks the ball well in flight and avoids picking up unnecessary fouls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427974"],"_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-675361293f8d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murray is the team's unquestioned first option. He plays with a lot of confidence and a short memory, embodying the "I will make the next play" mentality. Sunlake's success will depend heavily on his performance night to night. He has significantly improved his field goal percentage from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murray understands how to quickly create transition opportunities off any defensive stop. His quick first step makes it difficult to stop him when he's attacking downhill. As an aggressive guard who prioritizes looking for his own shots, he can draw fouls, get to the free-throw line, and, more importantly, make his free throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cooper Peat ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wesely Chapel ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675361293f99d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The small forward in the 2026 class draws immediate attention, even during warm-ups. He possesses above-average athleticism and a playmaker mentality. Playing with high energy, he is extremely active on both ends of the floor. His flair for emphatic dunks serves as a catalyst for the team's overall energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While he is a streaky shooter, he can score in bunches. The overall talent on his team allows him to get great looks, both off the catch and off the dribble. Additionally, he is a versatile defender capable of playing decent perimeter on-ball defense but truly excels as a chase-down block artist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1505291"],"_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-675361293f9f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hicks is a shooter! As a defender, you must always account for his whereabouts. He has a keen understanding of when to relocate to open space, even within the flow of the offensive sets. He has a quick release and requires minimal space to get his shot off. With deep range and a great deal of confidence, there aren't many shots he hesitates to take. His ability to space the floor puts a lot of pressure on opposing teams' ability to be in solid help positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125463"],"_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-675361293fa3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The young sophomore is carving out a very important role for Wiregrass this season. He can do a little bit of everything. His game isn't flashy; it's simplistic and very effective. He understands how to create contact early to finish around the rim easily and knows how much space he needs to take a jump shot. He makes great decisions and simple reads in transition. Additionally, he plays defense with real effort and consistently does the little things, like boxing out. This is the type of player every coach would like to have at least one of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->