#PHTwinCitiesTakedown: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the guards who impressed over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Twin Cities Takedown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1889041"],"_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-681278929dbda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Luke had a 30 point performance on Sunday against The Next Level Basketball Academy. The 2026 guard has a quick release to get off shots from deep, knocking down a handful of attempts from three throughout the game. Does a great job of using his shooting threat to his advantage to get defenders in the air with a shot-fake, and from there he can side-step into a three or attack the basket. Shifty player who is unpredictable with his change of speed on the ball. Showcased impressive body control on a few tough finishes as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1956268"],"_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-681278929dc71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really like the intensity that Shay brought to the floor on Sunday. The 2027 guard was a pest on the ball, constantly applying pressure to his man and throwing off the flow of the opposing team's offense. Was able to force a few turnovers both with his ball pressure, and with his reaction time off the ball in the gaps. Those turnovers most often turned into points on the other end, whether he was going coast-to-coast on his own, or a teammate was able to capitalize. He did get caught trying to play too fast offensively at times, but when under control he posed a threat getting into the lane to finish or create for a teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524689"],"_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-681278929dce5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcus' shot wasn't falling on Friday night, but he was making up for it with his defensive effort. He's so quick laterally, and when he sits deep in a stance can give opposing guards fits with his ball pressure. As the game progressed, Marcus was getting into attack mode and finding ways to get to the rim. He can catch you off guard with his bounce at the rim, and was just hanging in the air for acrobatic finishes in traffic. I caught him again on Sunday morning where he threw down an explosive dunk in transition, while also showcasing his deep shooting range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560835"],"_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-681278929dd56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tian just goes out and produces. He can get the flashy buckets in isolation, but doesn't mind doing the dirty work in the paint and powering his way through smaller guards to finish inside. When looking to create his own jumper he does a nice job of creating separation off of limited dribbles, and he has the ability to hit from mid-range or three. Defensively he continues to impress with his versatility, as he has no problem moving his feet with smaller guards, yet has the length at 6'5 to defend wings as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560826"],"_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-681278929ddcb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joel was another standout defender from the weekend, helping lead Select to an overtime win against [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 16u. He has great hands to poke the ball free from opposing point guards, then the breakaway speed to get to the rim and finish in transition. In the half-court he was dangerous coming off screens, as he can get downhill in a hurry to get into the lane. Showed the vision to dump it off to one of his bigs, and the body control to hang in the air for some tough finishes. Showed off his versatile game finishing with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2433532"],"_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-681278929de3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keeping Fury 16u close in that game against Select 17u was [player_tooltip player_id='2433532' first='Max' last='Beeninga'], who seemed to play his best basketball in crunch time. Fury wanted the ball in his hands, as he showed that quick burst to get downhill, but on the occasions where a defender was able to cut him off, Max could quickly get into his pull-up jumper and connect from mid-range. He hit a number of clutch shots down the stretch that forced overtime, all while never seeming to be out of control on the ball. Should be in for a breakout junior season at Wayzata.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2121367"],"_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-681278929dea8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite'] fell behind big early on Saturday morning, but Dre showed a lot of heart trying to will them back into the game. He's typically known more for his outside shooting, but with his jumper not falling, he made it a priority to get into the lane. Dre showed soft touch finishing over the top of length with floaters, and had a nice run in the first half that gave his team life. Competitive defender who's going to work hard pressuring the ball, and doesn't mind the task of defending another team's best player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->