NHR State Tournament: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the best guards I saw over the weekend at the NHR State Tournament!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560760"],"_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-6840b68a0feaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kyler was making plays on both ends of the floor in a Saturday morning win for [program_tooltip program_id='2422572' first='D1' last='Minnesota Gold']. He's lighting quick on and off the ball, able to get into dangerous areas off the dribble, or come in from off the ball to force turnovers defensively. He has good defensive awareness, knowing when to step in to cut off driving lanes, is quick moving laterally to pressure the ball, and after a steal can take off in the open floor. Kyler continuously found ways to use that quick burst to get to the rim, and finished at a high percentage throughot the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2826033"],"_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-6840b68a0ff26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Saturday was my first time seeing Pete play, and he certainly impressed. Like the other Tschetters who came through Stewartville, Pete is a knockdown shooter who can connect at a high clip from three or mid-range. He did a nice job of mixing in shot-fakes and hesitation moves to get by defenders, and then pull-up off one or two dribbles. Even when defended by guys who were a bit quicker than him, Pete's change of speed allowed him to get to his spots in the half-court, and a high release point helped him shoot over an outstretched hand. I was impressed with his composure playing up a year against a tough [program_tooltip program_id='2422572' first='D1' last='Minnesota Gold'] backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2548370"],"_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-6840b68a0ff85"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trason backed up his status as one of the top young prospects in North Dakota over the weekend. He's a highly skilled guard who can score at any level, and has excellent vision off the drive. As a drive and kick passer he was consistently setting up his shooters with well timed passes right to their chest. You can tell Trason is a gym rat because he has an endless bag of moves off the dribble, has great footwork when finishing around the basket, and is a lights out three point shooter. Terry was all business on the court, knocking down tough shots and then immediately getting ready to defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2118495"],"_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-6840b68a0ffd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2118495' first='Talan' last='Witt'] is simply a playmaker for this MN Comets Elite team. He runs the offense at a high level, able to get his team into their sets, or create a good look out of thin air. Had a Dr. J style reverse lay-up against Hoop Habits where just about half of his body was behind the backboard, showing ridiculous body control to finish. Talan is perhaps at his best coming off screens, as he can get downhill in a hurry to finish, pull-up from mid-range if the space is there, and he's able to squeeze the ball through the tightest of seems to hit his big rolling to the rim. His play was a big reason why Comets Elite took home the 17u title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2417208"],"_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-6840b68a10022"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2417208' first='Jakar' last='Rice'] checked in off the bench for [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] and immediately made an impact with his energy on the defensive end. Just after checking in Jakar scored with a put-back bucket, then dove on the floor for a steal on the defensive end which resulted in an easy bucket for a teammate. Jakar was always going to be the first player on the floor for a loose ball, was pressuring opposing guards with his lateral quickness, and was a vocal presence on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560769"],"_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-6840b68a10081"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I didn't get to see Ethan play heavy minutes as [program_tooltip program_id='2075709' first='MN' last='Swish'] ended up running away with the game against a shorthanded Lace Up team, but I still caught glimpses of his impressive shot making ability. Ethan can pull-up for a jumper out of nowhere, and is one of the few players in the state who could be described as having "in the gym range". He has to be stepped up on as soon as he crosses the half-court line, or he can pull up for an NBA range three like it's nothing. Someone who is so tough to stop once he gets a bit of a rhythm going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560840"],"_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-6840b68a100e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jason is an impact defender for Team FSA. He's someone who seems to love the challenge of trying to shut down an opposing team's best player, and more often than not seems to give them problems. Jason is so quick moving his feet laterally, battles to get over the top of screens, and does a great job of walling up to contest in the rare case his man gets to the rim. As a guard, you're never going to get a second of peace when being defended by Jason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->