Hard Work Region Finals: Jack’s 16U Friday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the top seven performances I saw at the 16U level from the opening night of the Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals in Minneapolis!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140684"],"_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-683223a6629a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Preston's full skill set was on display on Friday night, turning in an efficient performance in a blowout win. The 6'5” forward was too big and strong for the defense inside, finding success with his back to the basket, as I was impressed with his footwork and ability to finish with either hand. He is a knockdown shooter from the perimeter, being able to stretch the floor very well. Crider even showed flashes of handling the ball, being able to push the pace in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2431222"],"_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-683223a6629fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Noah was incredibly difficult to stay in front of, showing off his lightning quick first step that he can use to work inside. He conducted the offense for his team, creating good looks for himself and for his teammates. He converted on some challenging finishes at the basket, finishing around larger defenders. The 2027 guard is also a threat from the perimeter and was causing chaos with his on-ball defending, forcing turnovers which led to easy baskets on the other end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2412724"],"_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-683223a662a45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dre was putting on a show on Friday night, dunking everything when he was in the open floor. The high flying wing is so athletic and was able to truly dominate with his size, speed, and jumping abilities. He has some wiggle to him, being able to put a move on a defender to get downhill, where he can finish through, over, or around a defender in the lane. Collins is also a great rebounder, where he could instantly push the pace to score or assist a teammate on the over end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2423308"],"_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-683223a662a89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alek started Friday night's game off hot and never cooled down, almost leading his team to an upset win. He was knocking down looks from deep when given any space, lighting it up from beyond the arc. He could hit on shots off of the dribble, but was practically automatic when shooting off of a good pass from teammates. Anderson brought the energy for his team and did the majority of the work offensively, whether it was shooting, attacking, or ball handling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140700"],"_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-683223a662acc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tyrece was super fun to watch on Friday night, turning in a standout performance on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he is a shot creating savant with the combination of his shiftiness and tough shot making ability. He was pulling up off the dribble from three and could work into the mid-range or get all the way downhill. He was also a pest on the defensive end, picking pockets for steals. Hagler is one of the top scorers in the state's 2027 class and has had a standout spring with [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select']. </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":"Demarcus Allen","_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":"6'3u0022","_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":"Sussex Hamilton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc']","_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-683223a662b65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Demarcus' interior presence was felt all night long with [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'], dominating the paint on both sides of the ball. He has a strong 6'3” frame and used it to play extremely physically inside. He is an exceptional rebounder, being able to out-muscle opponents for contested boards. He had some great box outs and was able to put the ball on the floor to create in transition. He had some super tough layups through traffic, drawing fouls and getting to the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2860798"],"_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-683223a662bae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaiah has a very well rounded skill set for his size and age. The sophomore has a strong 6'3” frame, being able to play as a forward inside, rebounding and defending the interior at a high level. He could put the ball on the floor to attack, where he had many different kinds of finishes he could go to. Schroeder also has smooth shooting mechanics, knocking down looks from deep when given space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->