Queen City Clash: Saturday 16 U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit made a stop in Cincinnati, Ohio for an April AAU tournament where teams got to play at the Queen City Sportsplex. In this article we'll break down the standout performers from Saturday's 16 U action that I caught.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2843722"],"_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-68055eef13310"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more talented scoring guards I saw all weekend, Reese started the game with a pair of mid range shots and continued to stretch the floor with a couple 3-pointers as the game went on. I ended up being most impressed with his touch and awareness around the rim, making some tough reverse layups with his right hand that were perfectly angled off the backboard. Tough to stay in front of at the point of attack, Reese was giving opposing defenses fits all weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2843724"],"_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-68055eef13384"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top shooters I saw all weekend, Barrett was making it rain of step-backs, one dribble pull-ups and catch and shoot opportunities. At his size with the prolific shooting ability he has from the perimeter, he's going to be tough to guard. Already making a difference at the varsity level, Barrett scored 8.5 PPG as a Sophomore for Waynesville and could be one of the top scorers in his conference the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2442538"],"_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-68055eef133e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more physically dominant forwards at the tournament, McGraw has put on a considerable amount of weight and muscle since the first time I saw him during the opening game of his sophomore season for Kettering Fairmont. McGraw had a big second half for 937 Hoop Dreams in the game I caught, making a handful of shots around the paint, grabbing offensive rebounds and kicking it out to shooters. Despite losing the game I was at on Saturday, 937 Hoop Dreams responded with two 20+ point wins to end the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2842627"],"_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-68055eef1343d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McClary did a majority of the ball handling and creation for Nova Village-Hardy 16 U. Able to turn the corner as a ball handler and create for himself, McClary was tough to guard especially with a ball screen. I also was impressed how McClary lived at the foul line, attacking the rim aggressively and playing through contact. In crunch time, McClary had a nice drop-off pass for an assist to help his team pull away with the win. One of the more talented guards from the southeast district in the class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2843723"],"_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-68055eef13497"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I liked that Valentine could attack using either hand off the dribble and like McClary, also got to the foul line a bunch. The lefty shooter knocked down a couple jumpers and finished with his right hand off a BLOB. Valentine was a role piece for Dayton Carroll last season and could contend for a starting spot after a pair of senior starters graduated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2825568"],"_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-68055eef134ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I liked what Jones provided on the interior for [program_tooltip program_id='2076162' first='Team' last='Blaze Select'] as he had a big second half that brought his team back into the game. With good length and the ability to finish on the block, Jones worked well off his guard teammates. I also liked that Jones went hard after loose balls, diving on the floor to try and keep possession for his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->