McGuinness Classic: Starring in their Role

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlighting players who's plays help swing games and their contributions can go beyond the stat sheet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2283661"],"_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-678546dcc1b95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Often Valentine is tasked with playing defense and hitting threes. Those are two aspects he excels at. As for a taller wing he moves great laterally, allowing him to cover quicker guards. And his size and athleticism allows him match up with taller players as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the title game with Choctaw down a starter, Valentine stepped into a bigger scoring role. Which he flourished in. Knocked down long jumpers, then attacked the rim with nimble movements when the defense closed out on him. Had a great coast to coast score too. The junior is a bit of a late bloomer, who is starting to find his swagger as one of the higher upside prospects in the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1503677"],"_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-678546dcc1bf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior who missed the spring and summer following a knee injury and currently appears to be thriving as a stretch forward for the Antlers. Was on absolute fire from three in the opening contest on Thursday. Cooled off a bit in Saturday's wins. But still hit a crucial three that helped silence a comeback attempt. Rose to the challenge as a defender and battler in the title game. Good deflections on post entry denials, and fought hard for rebounds and contesting shots. Will be interesting to track how his athleticism comes in now as he continues to gain time away from his knee injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552392"],"_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-678546dcc1c46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Started off Saturday morning on fire with three triples in the opening quarter.&nbsp; Good rhythm shooter, especially off catch and shoot situations.&nbsp; Scrappy overall guard, have noticed him popping up with tough contested rebounds. His strong frame allows him to make those rebounds and should help continue to grow into a versatile defender for the high school level.&nbsp;One area of improvement from Saturday to note, converting free throws late in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2507349"],"_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-678546dcc1ccd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laskie is a Swiss Army Knife for the Antlers. Takes charges, can switch onto post players and battle down low. Showed good quickness and recovery when at one point was on a quick point guard, eventually using his size advantage to contest the shot at the rim. Offensively, he does his damage in the flow of the offense or making plays in transition. Will also knock down threes when left open, or take a dribble or two and hit in the mid-range. Important, versatile piece for one of Class 6A's best teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2724400"],"_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-678546dcc1d0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Slashing wing, with good quickness and leaping ability for his size. Had double doubles vs McGuinness and Del City. Was effective as a 15 and foot in player. Best when put in situations where he could attack quickly, which his first step and overall athleticism makes him dangerous. Can also stop and hit in the 8-12 foot range when attacking. Drew a lot of fouls when driving, and the next step will be playing and finishing stronger to turn them into three point play opportunities. The light appears to be coming on for an intriguing prospect, who could be a go to scoring option for the Wolves down the stretch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2394629"],"_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-678546dcc1d50"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Athletic and aggressive guard who seems to make an eye popping, highlight reel play at least once a game. Against Del City it was a nasty putback slam. Gets after it on both ends of the court, with quickness and toughness. Especially on the defensive end, with the way he pressures the ball and causes havoc. His hard work usually leads to 4 to 6 easy transition points each game for the Yellowjackets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->