Spurs City Shootout: Difference-Makers (17U)

There are certain players who set the tone for their teams from tip. The group of student athletes below did that in a big way this past weekend in their fantastic tournament performances.    Zavier is a poised, smart shooting guard that significantly impacts the game for his squad in a plethora of ways. He has skilled hands that he'll use to pick pockets and disrupt opposing passing lanes, leaving frustrated opponents in his dust while he racks up additional opportunities. He's clam under pressure, patiently working his way through situations and out of any jams he may find himself in. He plays the game with a maturity far beyond his age and he seems to bring a calmness to not only himself but all his surrounding teammates as well. He's a lights-out shooter with three-point range and he's got a nice ability to sink shots off the dribble. He's an avid communicator on the court and I didn't see him complain once, which can be rare these days. He's the first to help someone up and the first back on defense and those are qualities that are way more valuable than some may think.     Caden is a fierce, confident combo guard that drives to the hoop with a determination that can't be denied. He's active in the paint on both ends - stacking up buckets offensively and blocking and altering shots defensively. He doesn't hesitate in the slightest when he sees an opportunity for himself or a teammate and he makes sound decisions on the fly. He's a beast on the glass on both ends and he gets to the line with a nice regularity. He has great vision that he uses to find his open guys on the break and he's a fantastic passer that's hard to stop because he'll smartly always take the more desirable path the defense has to give him. Smith is going to be garnering plenty of attention going forward and it's well deserved.     Markis is a physical, fearless point guard that makes things happen and is all over the court on both ends in fantastic ways. He's a finisher at the rim that consistently draws contact for extra trips to the charity stripe. He has an accurate jumper and can hit the three-point shot consistently and reliably. He's scrappy and tough, often leading the charge down the floor and sacrificing his body for his team. He's a nice creator off the dribble and he can get streaky in a hurry if his opponents decide to give him any type of space. He willingly takes charges often and I love t see that in a player so young. Balboa impacts the game in so many ways for his squad and that will only increase as he continues to develop and put the work in.     Marshall is an imposing, solid forward that quickly leaves his imprint on the game in several positive ways. He's ferocious in the key and gets to the line with a nice consistency to rack up extra points for his team. He's a rebounding machine on both ends of the floor and he has great feet and movement for a big man. He's a great decision-maker and knows how to make the right call on the fly to get his teammates open opportunities. He's got a nice passing ability and finds his open guys on the perimeter if the lane gets too clogged up. He's tough and strong and wins the battle way more often than not on 50/50 balls. He's a lethal enforcer in the paint on defense and can send the opponent's shot packing if they're not careful or thoughtful about their approach. Hicks will be making plenty of noise going forward and I'm excited to see it.     Christopher is a lengthy, solid forward that can toggle between multiple positions and help his team win in a variety of ways. He's a reliable rebounder on both ends of the floor, never slacking or taking a play off. He defends the paint vigorously - blocking shots, altering attempts, and causing a general ruckus that makes it incredibly difficult for his opponents. He knows how to finish through contact at the rim and he regularly gets second and third opportunities at the hoop. He knows how to find his teammates on the perimeter when they have opportunities and he has a good eye for identifying which teammate has the best look at the basket. McGarity is a foundational player that can elevate any team he's on.

There are certain players who set the tone for their teams from tip. The group of student athletes below did that in a big way this past weekend in their fantastic tournament performances.