Hard Work Region Finals: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the guard prospects who impressed over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2844325"],"_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-68375de866e57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2844325' first='Jerry' last='Wise'] is a lightning quick guard who played a key role in Power Circle's win over Pride Roc on Saturday. In one of the most entertaining games of the weekend, Jerry had a handful of finishes that proved to be key for his team. He showed a quick first step to blow by his defender, and then had the ability to just hang in the air to find ways to finish around defenders. An impressive blend of athleticism and body control was on display from Jerry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126866"],"_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-68375de866eb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best overall performers in the 16u bracket, Matthew is a player who does the simple things at a very high level. Catch and shoot threes? Check. Drive and kick assists? Check. Backdoor cuts for easy finishes? Check. Throughout the weekend Matthew excelled as a facilitator for his team, setting up [program_tooltip program_id='2821775' first='Buffalo' last='Legacy']'s high scoring 2028 duo with good looks consistently. During the title game though his team needed him to step up and score more, and he did just that with 22 points in the win. Tough as nails guard out of Buffalo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2429908"],"_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-68375de866efc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben looks to be next up out of East Ridge. He put on one of the best shooting displays I saw all weekend during the semi-finals on Sunday, knocking down shot after shot from well beyond the arc. It got to the point where the opposing team was face-guarding him just to try to prevent him from touching the ball. When he's not connecting from three, Ben handles the point like a seasoned vet. He's an unselfish player who's going to get his team into their sets, is comfortable dribbling under pressure, and can beat a defender off the dribble to get into dangerous areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140563"],"_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-68375de866f40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Listed at 6'3, Brayden has a very long frame out on the perimeter for [program_tooltip program_id='2075704' first='MN' last='Rise']. I saw him running the point for his team against [program_tooltip program_id='2821775' first='Buffalo' last='Legacy'] on Sunday, pushing the eventual champs into the final minutes during the semi-finals. Despite standing 6'3+, he's very quick changing directions on the ball, and was able to penetrate the defense to get into the lane before kicking it out to his shooters. Because of his quickness at 6'3 he's able to defend a number of spots on the floor, where he can cause disruptions with his long arms. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2621218"],"_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-68375de866f80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although he didn't have his best shooting performance from three on Friday, Elijah continues to be a prospect that catches my eye this spring. Playing for Prior Lake Christian Academy, he may not get a ton of attention in the winter, but this is a player who can put points on the board. From previous weekends he's a player who can make you pay for leaving him in space from three, but I also liked his off-ball movement on Friday. Hard cuts and crashing the offensive glass led to some easy looks at the rim when his outside shot wasn't falling. Has a good basketball frame at 6'2 with some length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2120500"],"_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-68375de866fc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The [player_tooltip player_id='2120500' first='Eli' last='Moseman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1560798' first='Lucas' last='Gustafson'] backcourt duo has caused problems for opposing teams all spring long, and this past weekend Eli was at it against producing at a high level for [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury']. He's such a fast player in the open floor, able to take a defensive rebound or outlet pass and get his team numbers in transition. Does a nice job of scanning the floor to toss it ahead when the opportunities presents itself. Defensively he's a tough as nails guard who battles to get over screens, doesn't mind picking up full court, and is going to fight for rebounds. He should find himself in the conversation for City Conference MVP as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2417305"],"_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-68375de867003"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Romeo is a long and athletic slasher of a guard for [program_tooltip program_id='2076003' first='West' last='Central United']. Whether he was beating defenders with a straight line drive, cutting hard off the ball, or leaking out in transition, he found ways to get to the rim. Does a nice job of playing off two feet, allowing him to explode off the floor on balance and finish at a high percentage. Pesky defender whose length can cause problems for opposing ball handlers, and his lateral quickness allows him to shut down attempts to drive past him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->