Grandview’s Week 1 Standouts: Players Who Deserve More Attention

We made it out to Week 1 of Grandview's Fall League, and it didn't take long to see some names worth keeping an eye on. While plenty of established talent was on display, a handful of under-the-radar players stepped up and made their mark. These are the guys we expect to have breakout seasons, and with performances like this, it's clear they deserve more attention as the year unfolds.    Rhoades Martinez is a composed guard who leads with emotion and effort. He consistently made plays on both ends, hitting threes, pressuring the ball, and showcasing a reliable mid-range pull-up. His energy never wavered, setting the tone with how hard he played. He's under control at all times and was a player that teammates made sure to find and rely on. I like what I saw from him on Day 1 as a player to keep tabs on. Solid outing for him.     O'Donnell is a player who did not have a huge scoring day but he impressed with his poise and basketball IQ. He played the game the right way, worked hard ,and let plays develop naturally despite other guards getting sped up around him. His off-ball movement created opportunities, and while he didn't take many shots, his presence spaced the floor because of his reputation as a shooter. He made the smart decisions, kept his team steady, and proved to be a reliable, unselfish contributor that I want to see more of.       Valdez is a name that I heard a bit about but had not seen play, so this was my first time watching him. He was the steady hand for his team, handled pressure, and never looked rattled despite Denver South throwing so many different looks his way. As the primary ball handler, he broke presses, got to his spots, and set up teammates with ease. He played at his own pace, guiding his team through tough stretches while finishing efficiently himself. Seeing him for the first time, his calm, composed approach was a pleasant surprise, but he's a player who will be one of the most important pieces for this Smoky team for the next few years.     Boyd's athleticism and motor stood out immediately. He gave his team a spark with a scoring run that shifted momentum and showed his ability to step up offensively. He even banked in a shot to keep the team afloat early on. He'll be key for providing energy and versatile scoring as a difference maker for the team, as Smoky Hill will need that spark. His performance marked him as a new name worth paying attention to.     When watching Regis, everyone knows who the focus is on and how important it is to try and slow down their Division I commit. What that does is provide opportunity for others to get going, and Haubert seems to be that release. He was relentless in attacking the defense, consistently getting into the lane and finishing with craft. His ability to score with both hands, especially on scoop finishes, stood out. He combined scoring with vision, finding teammates after breaking defenders down and getting right to the rim. On defense, he pressured high and forced turnovers that led to points the opposite way. Haubert looked like a breakout candidate on Day 1 and provides another steady scoring option for Regis, and is a player to watch closely moving forward this season     Atkinson was one of the most exciting players of the night and a surprise standout on Day 1. One thing that stands out about Atkinson is his size but he blends that with elite athleticism as well. Early on in the game he was finishing everything around the rim. He runs the floor and was thriving in transition which helped build a big lead for Grandview. He played smart off the ball, finding holes in the defense and capitalized on run-outs. His feel for the game and versatility make him a player I'll be bullish on moving forward this season and I am excited to see if that is the norm for him. Charlie has my attention.

We made it out to Week 1 of Grandview's Fall League, and it didn't take long to see some names worth keeping an eye on. While plenty of established talent was on display, a handful of under-the-radar players stepped up and made their mark. These are the guys we expect to have breakout seasons, and with performances like this, it's clear they deserve more attention as the year unfolds.