Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase – Team 1 Evaluations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our annual Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase is arguably the most popular event that we put on each year. Not only is it a great opportunity for our staff to get an early evaluation of some of the most talented freshmen before the begin their high school career, but it also serves as an important evaluation/recruiting tool for our state's many great AAU programs. This year we welcomed in over 100 of the best Class of 2029 prospects here in Indiana. Here are our evaluations from the prospects that made up Team 1 at the Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Editor's Note: in the event that we missed a prospect or you notice something wrong with your profile please contact Brandon Ramsey at coachbrandonramsey@gmail.com and we will work to quickly remedy the mistake.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2814778"],"_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-68c0594b6bc91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'6", Shanklin was consistently one of the smaller guards on the floor but you never would have really noticed because he played with an impressive level of aggression and fearlessness as a driver. The Pike High School freshman finished a nice floater along the baseline after a strong drive and made several other good plays off of the bounce in both 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play. It was good to see the way he handled playing against size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2818148"],"_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-68c0594b6bd06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 5'6" guard on Team 1, Houghtalen maintained his poise with the ball and did a great job of not getting sped up even while competing against bigger, more physically developed defenders. He was at his best when setting up his teammates including a couple of excellent passes ahead in transition that led to baskets. The Pendleton Heights High School point guard was a consistent facilitator in all competitive settings at the Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2921101"],"_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-68c0594b6bd5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is never a shortage of young talent coming up through the ranks in the Gary area and this 21st Century High School guard certainly made his presence known at the Freshman Showcase. Ruffin is a quick, athletic, left-handed guard that was able to get to the basket consistently on Sunday. He first flashed his speed finishing a lefty layup in transition and then knifed his way through the defense for an And-1 finish in the half court. Ruffin's speed with the ball in his hands is definitely one of his best attributes right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2839959"],"_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-68c0594b6bdae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Merritt helped provide some much needed size on the perimeter for Team 1 at the Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase. The 6'2" wing from Maconaquah High School has an impressive athletic build and held his own defensively while guarding multiple different positions. Offensively he was effective as a slasher and right hand driver while perhaps standing out the most by crashing the glass consistently and getting his team second chance opportunities. That effort and non-stop motor will always help him get the most out of his talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2497493"],"_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-68c0594b6bdfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mercer Jr. was a prospect that quickly caught our attention in 3-on-3 play at the Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase. The 6'1" hybrid wing/forward did a great job of creating shots off of the block and in the mid-range. He effectively used a variety of spin moves, pivots, and shot fakes to get his shots off against bigger or more athletic defenders. His strength and physicality was certainly a positive trait of Mercer Jr.'s as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2957050"],"_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-68c0594b6be4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The physical and athletic tools of this 6'3" forward from Noblesville High School stand out right away. Sorrells has clearly been coached and taught well up to this point because he did a lot of the little things at a high level at the Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase. He consistently rolled hard to the basket after ball screening which led to a couple of interior finishes for him. Additionally, he screens well away from the ball to get his teammates open. He will be one to watch in the coming years within the Noblesville program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2948753"],"_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-68c0594b6be9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We highlighted Thoman as one of our top performers from the Prep Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase. He was certainly the go-to player for Team 1 in their 5-on-5 games. The 6'3" wing from Shelbvyille High School had some of the most impressive physical and athletic tools in the gym on Sunday. He was able to physically dominate many of his peers off of the dribble and had a lot of success scoring around the rim. Thoman also projects as a high-level positional rebounder. Whether he was scoring in transition, finishing with either hand at the end of his drives, or defending multiple positions Thoman was one of the most impressive prospects at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->