1A Sectional Semi Final Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Illinois caught over a handful of games from the small school division on Tuesday evening thanks to our friends over at NFHSN. Lets go ahead and take a look at some of the players that garnered most of the attention. This will take us through the first of two recaps from tonight's 1A Sectional Semi Final Games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Lucas Westendorf","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_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":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dieterich","_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-67c7ee36e62e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">School's all-time leading scorer. Tough wing that plays hard and competitively the whole game. Strong with the ball and likes it in his hands to make plays. Not afraid to give it up on the break to create shots for teammates. Had a few really nice pitch aheads in the break phase of transition O. In the half court O, will run off screens hard shoulder to shoulder determined to create space. Can catch it in traffic on a cut and go up strong against multiple defenders. Made a jab and rip through to finish over bigger size. Also popped and caught from 11 feet near elbow for mid range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></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":"Kam Sweetnam","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Tuscola","_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-67c7ee36e638a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The floor general of the team. Plays even keeled alongside his 6'5 and 6'6 posts. Can get a step on a defender to get paint touches with the ball. Really was able to draw attention and make kickouts through the game for multiple assists. Reads the defense well with his head on a swivel. Main priority is to collapse the defense and make kickouts. Has a solid vertical for the guard position. Can draw and take contact on drives to go to the stripe. Made a sweet pick and steal off of a pass and pushed ahead in transition for an easy bucket.</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":"Sawyer Woodard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_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":"Tuscola","_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-67c7ee36e6413"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Plays hard throughout on both ends of the floor. Is a really good pick me up type player. Made a few crucial timed O boards to keep his team on the pedal. Aggressive on defense in the paint to not allow easy shots. Solid hands at the post position. Made a hard post up on the block with a casual spin move for a finish around defender. Also kept the ball high when catching it on the block with poise. Nice IQ for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2632068"],"_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-67c7ee36e6462"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Plays hard the full length of the court and is well conditioned to do so. Put pressure on the ball defensively with great demeanor the majority of this game. One of the hardest on the ball defenders I've seen this year in 1A and smart with his hands while doing so. Sacrificed his body on a full speed drive with a charge. Offensively has solid and smooth handles with a nice touch around the rim. Had a catch and shoot from 3 that looked efficient. Thread a pass between defenders in the pick and roll game. Additionally will get on the glass as well. Will be a pleasure to watch the next couple of years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checkout Nick's 2 O Boards in 1 Possession and Finish: <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741147345568">https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741147345568</a><br><br>O Board Hustle and Assist: <br><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741147457174">https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741147457174</a></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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2815679' first='Cole' last='Tripp']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Goreville","_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-67c7ee36e64e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another really solid on the ball defender for the Blackcats. Hustled on the floor for a loose ball and dug hard defensively on drives to help and recover. Offensively penetrated to the paint and make kickouts multiple times. Also dished off downlow while drawing secondary defender in. Hands and feet are ready before the catch to knock it down. Knows how to move without the basketball while reading screens and create efficient flow within the half court set. Liked to push the ball in transition to really put pressure on the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Sam Edmundson","_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":"6'6u0022","_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":"Leroy ","_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-67c7ee36e6584"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Can play a 5 or a stretch 3 or 4. Hands and feet looked ready to shoot beyond the arc. Converted on multiple catch and shoot treys and looked comfortable doing so. Nice looking form and smooth shot released above his head. Was active around the glass on both ends for boards. Had some offensive rebounds and put backs with a nice touch to create an extra spark. Saw openings in the gaps on zone coverage for cutters to move the defense around. Pretty disciplined with the ball and plays hard. Creates some challenge in the paint with length defensively. Finished with a game high 24 points and already has over 1,000 in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checkout Sam's Shot Fake into a Smooth Baseline Finish<br><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741151580154">https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741151580154</a><br><br></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":"Brycen Umstattd","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Leroy ","_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-67c7ee36e6606"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Handles it effectively as the primary ball handler and was poised doing so. Will push ahead on makes or misses to get transition buckets. Made a couple nice pitch aheads on the break. Crashed the boards consistently as a guard. Made a smooth pull up jumper off the dribble in the lane from 10 feet. Can catch and shoot from 3 if given the opportunity as well. Made a cool wrap around pass on the baseline for an assist to his big man. Defensively had a steal off a pass and finished for And 1 on the break. Does his job well and effectively in the overall scheme of his team's strategy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checkout Brycen's Dribble Drive Left Handed Floater Off the Glass:<br><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741152004665">https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/clips/ucl31fb92ee351741152004665</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->