Hard Work Region Finals: Max’s Day Three Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on Championship Sunday at the Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560798"],"_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-68346f288a9ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lucas helped lead his [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] team to the 17u title, mixing in some deep threes with a bunch of assists in their last two games. Often the smallest guy on the floor, defenders just couldn't keep up with his quickness on the ball, as Lucas was constantly blowing by guys off the dribble to get into the lane or attack on the baseline. He always seemed to have his eyes scanning for open teammates, and was constantly feeding his forwards with quick scoop passes leading to easy lay-ups. Showed his shooting range by draining a handful of threes from well beyond the high school arc. He's been one of the most productive 17u players in the state this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2397563"],"_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-68346f288aa8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite playing up a year at the 16u level, teams didn't have an answer for Thomas. The 6'2 forward may be a bit undersized at his position, but his strength and tenacity more than make up for it. He's so good at getting a shoulder past his defender, and from there uses his body to shield him off as he works his way to the rim. All he needs is that small edge, and he can play off two feet and power his way up to finish with either hand. Thomas was a walking double-double as he couldn't be kept off the glass, and seemed to get to the rim any time he wanted to. Finished with 30 points in the championship game, including the game winner in triple overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2815359"],"_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-68346f288ab0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2815359' first='Ethan' last='Potts'] looks to have been one of the best three point shooters in the 16u bracket. At 5'9 he was making defenders pay for giving him space to catch and shoot out on the perimeter, connecting on a handful of threes in the semi-finals matchup against [program_tooltip program_id='2821775' first='Buffalo' last='Legacy']. Can run off screens tight and does a nice job of quickly getting his feet set to catch and get a shot off. Hit some key shots to keep things competitive against the eventual 16u champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386616"],"_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-6834a98cab4a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2386616' first='Gavin' last='Bauer'] was all over the floor making plays defensively for [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury']. He was getting up in the passing lanes and often found himself in the right spots to come up with steals. From there he had the athleticism to go coast-to-coast to finish. Also had a handful of blocks on the day, showcasing some explosive athleticism. Had one play where he sprinted back on defense and sent a lay-up attempt flying off the backboard. Lengthy guard that can hit the open three in the half-court, and is an active cutter off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560747"],"_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-6834a98cab506"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alex came up with the game winning lay-up in a double overtime thriller against [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'], giving Fury the 17u title. Throughout the day he just found ways to get to the rim. Whether he was going coast-to-coast in transition, curling off a screen to get downhill, or breaking his man down off the dribble, Alex just finds ways to get two feet in the lane. Once there he can either stop on two feet and finish with a tear-drop over the top, or get all the way to the rim to score through contact. Soft touch to finish with either hand inside. Defensively he was capable of moving his feet with smaller wings when Fury went with a bigger lineup, but could also play the 4 and defend in the paint. Across the semi's and finals he recorded four blocks, doing a nice job of walling up inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2573801"],"_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-6834a98cab570"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This 6'1 lefty out of Fargo can shoot the lights out from three. He had a huge first half in the 15u semi-finals, hitting three triples and a pair of lay-ups all within a few minutes of each other. His range already extends to well beyond the high school line, and he does a nice job of running off screens and quickly getting squared up to shoot off the catch. At 6'1 he already has a bit of length to him out on the wing as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400077"],"_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-6834a98cab5b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eli was one of the best shooters I saw all weekend, and did it all while playing up at the 16u level. In the semi-finals against [program_tooltip program_id='2075704' first='MN' last='Rise'], Eli connected on seven shots from beyond the arc, scoring a game high 27 points in the process. He doesn't stand out with size or explosive athleticism, but he just knows how to find open space out on the perimeter, and makes great cuts to get opportunities to score at the rim. Mixes in shot-fakes to get defenders int he air before blowing by them, and he knows how to use his body to pin defenders on his hip and get to the rim. He was putting up big scoring numbers all weekend long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->