Hard Work Region Finals Next: The Guards

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hard Work Region Finals 13U Guards</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2819101' first='Jarell' last='Ayed'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers'] - Ayed is a five-foot-ten-inch 2030 guard from Wisconsin and possibly was the best guard of the entire weekend. Ayed showed advanced skills for a 7th grader in ball handling, passing, and scoring, and one of his many highlight plays was a chase down block. Ayed shot the ball well from deep as well carrying his team through many of their games. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/shorts/d5Gp1zmnE1c </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2830816' first='Travis' last='Ploetz'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2698536' first='TVP' last='Elite'] - The five-foot-two-inch 2030 guard put on the best shooting display from the perimeter I saw over the weekend hitting six 3-pointers, and scoring 20 points overall versus [program_tooltip program_id='2075693' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] Jorgenson. The 7th grade guard showed no free from deep shooting away freely and confidently.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lMrDEVPmzA&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2830815' first='John' last='Litecky'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2698536' first='TVP' last='Elite'] - Litecky scored 23 points while making 4 3-pointers versus [program_tooltip program_id='2075693' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] Jorgenson. Litecky did well attacking from the perimeter and getting to the basket as a scorer. Litecky looks the part of a secondary ball handler working from the wing and above the break either off the dribble or in catch and shoot.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lMrDEVPmzA&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2434379' first='Ezra' last='Johnson'] - MN Fury Greene - The 2030 guard Johnson can really stretch the floor with his shooting. Spotted Johnson hit three 3-pointers versus Beyond the Game in the first few minutes of their game Sunday. On Saturday he hit multiple 3-pointers versus WI 26ers as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hard Work Region Finals 14U Guards</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2382427' first='Ezekiel' last='Duo'] - OMGBA - The five-foot-eight-inch 2029 Osseo guard was playing with his OMGBA travel team this weekend and another time I saw him Duo impressed. Passed the ball to set-up his perimeter shooting teammates, attacked the rim when needed be, and in the opening game was leading his team impressively against PJ Hoops before he stepped on a foot and rolled his ankle. Duo did play the rest of the game's and looked fine helping get OMGBA into the title game versus PJ Hoops. Part of what most impressed me about Duo this weekend was his ability to defend, and take on bigger players. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVzJpufKa2g&t=93s&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2917776' first='Will' last='Korbmacher'] - PJ Hoops - Korbmacher is a 2029 guard from Orono that played his best weekend I've seen of him so far. Korbmacher had multiple catches on the wing where he got a screen to dribble into a 15 foot mid-range pull-up. The ease into the move looked automatic. In the title game he showed ability to shoot from distance making two 3-pointers as well.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2822547' first='Nathan' last='Anderson'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2075693' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] Jorgenson - Anderson is a five-foot-four-inch 2029 guard from Rogers that scored 21 points in [program_tooltip program_id='2075693' first='MN' last='Crossfire']'s 15 point 2nd half comeback against [program_tooltip program_id='2698536' first='TVP' last='Elite'] 13U and Anderson was a main contributor to his team's success. Anderson handled the ball, attacked the basket, and made little plays all over to further his team to success.</p>   <p>Gavin Martinson - Beyond the Game - Martinson is a 2029 five-foot-six-inch guard from North Dakota who is a good outside shooter who spreads out well to give himself opportunities to shoot the ball. Martinson shows good ability and knowledge of how to play the game, passes and works on defense.</p>   <p>Greyson Stork - [program_tooltip program_id='2075693' first='MN' last='Crossfire'] Jorgenson - Stork is a 2029 guard who came up clutch for Crossfire down 3 with seconds remaining and got the Haliburton bounce on a game tying 3-pointer. Stork scored 13 in the game including three 3-pointers. Stork plays like a combo guard, and could grow into a solid secondary ball handler with his skill make-up.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/streethistory/status/1926677216592642053 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2848250' first='Timmy' last='Kappes'] - MN Lace Up - Kappes is a 2029 five-foot-eight-inch guard from Rochester Century. Kappes showed dribble pull-up skill in a game versus WI 26ers in transition three times. The side-to-side movement was quick and decisive.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/streethistory/status/1926749446387232956 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2382423' first='Adam' last='Holmberg'] - OMGBA - Holmberg is a 2029 five-foot-four-inch guard from Osseo Middle that showed off some timely outside shooting, solid ball handling skills, and a bit of shiftiness in his moves that reminded me of Steve Nash. Holmberg showed he has a good skillset, next for him will be growth and strength.</p>   <p></p>