St. Mary's at ALA Gilbert North: Impact Players

On January 8th, I had the chance to attend the ALA Gilbert North vs. St. Mary's game at the ALA Gilbert campus. This thrilling match showcased a dynamic blend of upperclassmen and underclassmen talent. The game featured some of the top freshmen in the state alongside standout juniors and seniors. Despite a couple of key players from St. Mary's being out sick, their upperclassmen rose to the occasion, securing a hard-fought 63-55 victory on the road. Here are some of the standout performances that caught my eye during the game.    A sniper from 3. He can really shoot the ball. He had four 3's this game. No wasted motion on his jump shot. He does not drop the ball at all on the catch. One of the better shooters I have seen this season. He really gave St. Mary's a big spark vs ALA Gilbert North to win this game.     A lanky guard at 6'5 that can play the positions 1-3. He has great elevation on his middy jumper and attacks gaps constantly, putting pressure on the defense. He shoots it well coming off screens, with a quick release. Additionally, he rebounds the ball well for his position, often out-hustling opponents for second-chance opportunities. As a play maker, he's good at drawing the defense in and making the extra pass setting up his teammates for wide open shots. He doesn't force anything, which helps maintain the flow of the offense where everybody gets to eat. Overall, he's one of the best upperclassmen I have seen this season.       An exceptional passer, he knows how to find his teammates and get them open shots. A highly versatile player that can play positions 1-3, and I believe he can excel at these positions at the next level as well. He operates well in the mid-range area and can also shoot the 3 with confidence, which he has really improved on during his high school career. He has a good, tight handle on the ball, allowing him to navigate effectively. Additionally, he plays off the ball well and rebounds the ball efficiently. He is good at getting downhill and finishing through contact, making him a constant threat on offense.       He has really good elevation on his jumper and is a really good catch-and-shoot player from three with a quick release. He handles the ball well on the perimeter for being 6'7 and has the ability to create his own shot at any time. His quick first step helps him get downhill effectively, and he can score from all three levels on the court, making him a versatile and dynamic offensive threat. Viktor has one of the better pump fakes I have seen this year.     He can play positions 1-5 and has a reliable mid-range jumper that he can consistently get to. He excels in the high post area, where he showcases an amazing fadeaway shot that is difficult to guard. Additionally, he is a really good rebounder, often outmaneuvering opponents to secure the ball. His versatility and skill set make him a valuable asset on both ends of the court.     He dominated against ALA Gilbert North in the paint, throwing down dunk after dunk about 5 in that game! He runs the court really well in transition, and his team does a great job of rewarding him for it. He's also a solid defender inside, blocking and altering a ton of shots. He operates very well in the high post, making him a significant presence on the court. He finished this game with 20-plus points.

On January 8th, I had the chance to attend the ALA Gilbert North vs. St. Mary's game at the ALA Gilbert campus. This thrilling match showcased a dynamic blend of upperclassmen and underclassmen talent. The game featured some of the top freshmen in the state alongside standout juniors and seniors. Despite a couple of key players from St. Mary's being out sick, their upperclassmen rose to the occasion, securing a hard-fought 63-55 victory on the road. Here are some of the standout performances that caught my eye during the game.