War Before the Storm: 2026 X-Factor Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The War Before the Storm is an annual elite basketball showcase. This event brought together top-tier basketball teams from across Texas to compete in a highly competitive environment. The showcase is organized by War Hoop Events, known for delivering competitive tournaments with top-notch prospects.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593785"],"_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-67e59ba501f04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1593785' first='Caleb' last='Richard'] brought pure electricity to the floor, punctuating his performance with powerful right-handed tomahawk dunks and acrobatic finishes. His explosiveness was undeniable, especially when catching lobs in traffic and nearly finishing over multiple defenders. But it was his relentless motor that stood out the most. Defensively, Richard covered ground with impressive end-to-end speed. His quick reactions led to deflections, steals, and transition opportunities. Whether sprinting back on defense or initiating fast breaks, his presence was felt on both sides of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560891"],"_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-67e59ba501f61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1560891' first='Cash' last='Chism'] made a significant impact as a true two-way player, excelling both as an on-ball defender and a versatile scoring threat. On the defensive end, he dictated the action, forcing his man to the sidelines or corners, where he could apply relentless pressure. His anticipation for shots and dribble moves, paired with his quickness to contest, consistently frustrated offensive players. Offensively, Chism showcased his scoring ability from all three levels, making him a constant threat. His skill set and mentality screamed “3-and-D point guard” with natural floor general tendencies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560936"],"_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-67e59ba501faa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanderson's evolution as an all-around point guard was on full display. From the opening tip to the final whistle, his playmaking left a lasting impact. He showed elite passing vision, executing long bounce passes, sharp advances in transition over the defense, and well-placed lob passes that set his teammates up for easy buckets. Defensively, Sanderson was active and engaged, contributing on both ends with the same level of intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2343836"],"_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-67e59ba501ff0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2343836' first='Theo' last='Brannan']'s presence as a dynamic, traditional point guard was undeniable. He commanded the floor with confidence, setting up the offense and dictating the tempo. With tight ball handling and quick decision-making, he broke down defenders with ease. On the defensive end, Brannan was arguably the best on-ball defender in the building. His lateral quickness and physicality allowed him to clamp down on opponents, forcing them into tough spots and limiting their offensive options. Every possession ran smoother with Brannan at the helm. His natural leadership and poise were evident as he made smart reads and facilitated for his teammates, showcasing the complete package of a floor general.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552322"],"_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-67e59ba502034"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Billingsley separated himself from other floor generals with his exceptional feel for the game and natural basketball instincts. He consistently made heady plays, reading situations before they developed. His passing ability was particularly remarkable — Billingsley threw teammates open, delivering the ball where only they could catch and convert. His precise timing and touch made him a reliable offensive conductor, consistently putting his teammates in positions to succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2555947"],"_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-67e59ba502078"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brewer's resilience and determination were evident in every possession. If he missed a shot or made a mistake on offense, he was always the first one back on defense, committed to making up for it. His effort and hustle were unmatched, setting the tone for his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2558632"],"_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-67e59ba5020bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vicknair showcased his poise as a smart and composed ball handler. He consistently found his way into the pinch post, where he displayed a smooth mid-range pull-up jumper. When defenses collapsed, Vicknair's court awareness shined. He made sharp kick-out passes to open shooters in the corners, creating high-percentage looks for his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->