Breakout Stars from Empire Wingz Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final thoughts from the showcase are by no means the least important, but they place these players among the elite group who will be on everyone's radar this season. We're just a few days away from the start of the regular season, and conversations have already begun. Who is the best player in each class? Who is the top team in the state? Which players or teams are sleepers? Who might be overlooked? PrepHoops will be on the road this season, scouting and highlighting standout players across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feel Free to share Highlights and Accolades to keep your local scouts up to date on your progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>IG: @donald.tatum73</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: @cpt_tatum</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132763"],"_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-6916a7ac2c23c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason Neumann had a big summer and has shown improvement in all measurable areas. He is bigger, stronger, faster, more skilled, and playing more aggressive. He showed his improved handle and used it to work his way to the rim and finish whenever he wanted. His ascension will be key to Zachary on their path to a repeat. He added 10 points, and they were all earned the hard way. If there is a game when the shots aren't falling, Neuman has the chops to work in the paint and convert on key possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132747"],"_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-6916a7ac2c299"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2132747' first='Ian' last='Edmond'] put on a master class in point guard play in a game that is surely going to be talked about all season. He scored 30 against a stingy Calvary team known for its defensive intensity. Edmond worked inside and outside, he assisted and rebounded. He played the passing lanes, and I will save his on-ball defense for another time. His offensive game was special, and I think the state is on official notice that Edmond is back and Zachary wants the top spot. I can't spot a weakness in his game, so if there was an MVP for the weekend. It would be [player_tooltip player_id='2132747' first='Ian' last='Edmond']. Ian is not new, but he is improved and the sky is the limit for the upperclassman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132748"],"_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-6916a7ac2c2e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2132748' first='Jackson' last='Chewning'] continues to show why he is considered one of the top 2027s in the state. In a game where his shot was just not falling, Jackson put his head down and got to the goal. It is always interesting to see how a player responds to adversity, and Jackson just kept working. He still scored 21 on an off-day if that puts it into perspective. Offensively, he is going to press the offensive issue, and on defense, he wants the work as well. French Settlement is going to be a tough team, and JC is a clear leader on a squad with tons of upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2490756"],"_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-6916a7ac2c32c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2490756' first='Channing' last='Briggs'] played well beyond his classification by adding 16 points to the Catholic BR box score. I remember him from the LHSAA playoffs, and he is not in the same uniform, but the game is the same. Briggs can score the ball. He has a smooth game, and scoring just comes naturally. He surveys the floor and is always just in the right spot, and makes the right decisions. 16 as a freshman is no small feat at the 5A level, and this could be the start of something special. Briggs is another piece to the Catholic BR puzzle that could shock those who say they lost too much to compete this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2316989"],"_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-6916a7ac2c377"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2316989' first='Tyrone' last='Jamison'] is a nationally ranked point guard, known for his high IQ, incredible efficiency, and visible energy. He is going to play basketball at one of the top schools in the nation. Every coach in the country covets him because of his intangibles. What was different about TJ today was that he looked to expand his offensive game and took more shots than usual, signaling another big season ahead. Being special comes with the cost of hard work, but not just in the gym. TJ is stepping out of his facilitating shadow and embracing his scoring abilities. It will be exciting to watch as the kid who can do anything with the ball is about to explore his game even further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This concludes the Empire Wingz Showcase evaluations, but not the coverage for the season. Good luck to all of the players, coaches and teams. See you in the gym!!!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->