Prep Hoops 2K25: Max’s Night One Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on Friday night at Prep Hoops 2K25!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-68724eadd85e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ethan simply wasn't missing in the first half of Swish's win over SW MN Stars on Friday. The 6' guard was finding ways to get into pockets of space out on the perimeter, and from there was able to put points on the board in a hurry. Can hit a quick crossover into a pull-up three, can turn the corner and get into his mid-range game, or can lose his man off the ball for a catch-and-shoot make. It doesn't take opposing teams long to realize that you can't let Ethan catch in space, but even then he just finds ways to get open looks with his activity off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2823917"],"_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-68724eadd863f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite the loss, it was a strong showing from [player_tooltip player_id='2823917' first='Gunner' last='Liebl'] of SW MN Stars on Friday. A 6'1 guard with a strong frame, Gunner was dangerous coming off screens and getting downhill. He showed impressive vision to dish it off to one of his bigs slashing to the rim, could stop on a dime for a mid-range jumper, or could get all the way to the rim and score through some contact. Has some shiftiness to go and create his own jumper when needed, and gets the elevation necessary to get his shot off over an outstretched hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2734537"],"_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-68724eadd8685"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martez had the ball on a string last night for Motor City Dragons. He was forcing guys to defend him well beyond the three point line, and from there was able to blow by them with his quick first step. No one on the floor was able to keep Martez in front of them as he was consistently able to get into the lane to finish or create for a teammate. Typically the smallest guy on the floor, Martez brought big production to the court for the Motor City Dragons in their opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1467166"],"_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-68724eadd86c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's easy to see why Blake is the #1 ranked 2026 in South Dakota. At 6'9 he's long, agile, and extremely versatile at his size. Perhaps his most impressive attribute last night was his passing. Through the first half it seemed like almost every good look Team Warwick was getting came off of a [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] pass. He sees the floor so well, and at 6'9 has the size to zip in passes over the top of the defense to find cutting teammates. Showed his athleticism by blocking a jumper and then running the length of the floor for a powerful dunk. Also displayed some back to the basket game, going right at shorter players out of the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2118474"],"_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-68724eadd8704"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Ethan x Ethan duo for [program_tooltip program_id='2075709' first='MN' last='Swish'] once again proved too much for an opposing team to handle. With [player_tooltip player_id='1560769' first='Ethan' last='Sonju'] draining jumpers left and right, the floor was spread for [player_tooltip player_id='2118474' first='Ethan' last='Martin'] to attack the basket. The 6'4 wing just has a nose for the rim, whether he's sprinting the floor, or exploiting a gap in the half-court. Does a nice job of jabbing hard one way, and then exploding in the opposite direction to just get an edge on his defender, able to pin him on his hip and extend to finish from there. Ethan threw down a dunk in transition, and also drained a three from NBA range to add to his scoring tally in a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2119642"],"_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-68724eadd8765"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avery continues to impress for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075867' first='SW' last='Minnesota Stars'] program. He's an explosive athlete, and even though he plays fast, he never really looked out of control last night. Always on balance, he's able to stop on a dime for a pull-up jumper, or can explode off two feet to finish through contact at the rim. Put together a nice string of baskets during the second half trying to will his team back into the game against [program_tooltip program_id='2075709' first='MN' last='Swish']. He seems to perform at a high level every time I've watched this team play over the last 3-4 months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400080"],"_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-68724eadd87ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing up at the 16u level, Nolan impressed with his production on both ends of the floor. He was holding his ground defensively against opposing bigs, making any shot his man took around the basket difficult. On the offensive end he was able to physically back defenders down into deep post position, and from there could turn over either shoulder to finish. Blend of size, strength, and footwork makes him tough to stop in isolation on the block. Showed comfort stepping out to the perimeter and connecting on some outside jumpers as well against Team Warwick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->