NEXT Summer Slam: Facilitators and Scoring Guards 12U

Having guards who both score and facilitate play vital roles in a team's success. These players were the best of the best in their respective classes.    One of the best combo guards at the tournament. Nehemiah is an excellent ball handler. He easily broke down opposing defenders and scored at the basket. One of his strengths was scoring floaters in the paint. Whenever he matched up with opponents on the wing, the results were always good. Nehemiah showed the ability to knock down mid-range shots and three-pointers. He also facilitates the ball. Most of his assists led to high percentage shots for his teammates. Defensively, he played great on the ball. Often forcing turnovers and causing mistakes. He is a great young player who has a bright future.     Blake showed the ability to knock down shots from everywhere on the court. Whether it was slashing to the basket, scoring from mid-range or converting threes, Blake found ways to be effective offensively. There was a sequence in the game where he caught fire! He knocked down multiple three-pointers on consecutive possessions. When he drove into the paint, Blake showed a knack for making floaters. This was an effective shot he often scored over taller defenders. On defense, he excelled at jumping pass lanes and generating steals. Blake has all the traits of becoming an elite player as he continues to grow and mature. Keep it up Blake!!     He is a tough minded guard who plays with a quiet confidence. Amir is great at attacking defenders and getting to the basket. Many of his scores came off tough drives which led to and-ones. He stepped to the foul-line and converted every three-point play opportunity. Amir is an excellent rebounder at the guard position. He attacked the glass with as much ferocity as he did on offense. If Mac Irvin had a chance to run the floor, Amir showed the ability to finish strong in transition. On defense, he was a ball-hawk. Amir forced the [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] guards into numerous turnovers. Many of his steals led to transition scores for his teammates. Amir is a great young guard! I look forward to seeing how his game progresses.     Kai is a big-time scorer for the team. Whenever Mac Irvin Fire needed a basket, he knocked it down. He is a scoring threat from all around the court. Offensively, Kai scores in various ways. He attacks defenders off the dribble and converts three-pointers. Over the course of the game, he made three of them. Many of his scores came from runners down the lane. Some were high arching shots over defenders protecting the paint. Kai was aggressive throughout the entirety of the game. On defense, he was great at taking charges, hitting the floor for loose balls and doing all the hustle plays needed to help Mac Irvin Fire win games. After watching Kai play, I view this young man as a winner! He has a great future ahead of him. Keep it up Kai!!     DJ is a great all-around player. Whether it was getting to the basket, converting shots from mid-range or knocking down three-pointers, DJ was un-guard-able in the match-up against [program_tooltip program_id='2076025' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] Red. He showed the ability to make plays as a passer. There were moments in the game when he found teammates slashing to the basket. Many of his assists led to easy baskets. DJ is a great rebounder at the guard position. He had no problems attacking the glass on both ends of the floor. He is a tough player who didn't mind battling with the opposition in the paint. Like I said, this young man is a great overall player. He knocked down multiple threes, attacked the basket and stayed aggressive the whole game. Keep it up DJ!!     Demetri was one of the best all around guards in his age group. He was able to win one-on-one match-ups on most occasions. Demetri was most effective on the wing of the floor. Whether it was scoring in the paint or knocking down mid-range pull ups, it all started with his quick first step. Whenever the opportunity was there to take a three, Demetri made the shot. He showed his toughness by attacking the glass, despite being smaller than the opposition. It was all about who wanted it more! Demetri plays the game with an aggressive mentality on both sides of the court. On defense, his on ball pressure allowed him to score easy transition baskets. Great timing allowed him to jump passing lanes and generate steals. He is a great all-around player who could become a problem for players and coaches as he continues to mature.     Charlie is a solid point guard who excelled more as a facilitator than a scorer. He was the best passer on [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] 12U Brown. I saw him dish off seven assists. The majority of his dimes led to scores for his teammates. Whether it was bounce or chest passes, Charlie always found ways to make a play. This little guy is an excellent shooter! He knocked down multiple shots on the perimeter, despite being closely guarded in some instances. Whenever he was left alone behind the three-point line, Charlie had no problem converting shots. He plays the game with a calm demeanor and showed great leadership skills. Keep it up Charlie!!     After watching Tayden, I recognized him as the team shooter. His teammates looked to get him going offensively. They set screens and ran plays that allowed him to get open looks at the basket. I saw him knock down three shots from beyond the arc. Tayden excelled at handling the ball and creating shots off the dribble. He attacked the paint and finished with high arching floaters on numerous occasions. Scoring was no issue for this young man. Defensively, Tayden has quick hands and good lateral movement. He forced numerous turnovers by timing pass lanes and stealing the ball. Tayden is a great shooter and defender who has a promising future ahead of him.

Having guards who both score and facilitate play vital roles in a team's success. These players were the best of the best in their respective classes.