CIAC Underclassmen: Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our state association preview series continues today with a move into Connecticut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we'll take a look at five <em>Underclassmen: Forwards to Watch</em> out of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571919"],"_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-691ccf4829044"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weaver, a sophomore guard out of <em>Windsor High School</em>, is a dynamic creator that is at his best with the ball in his hands. His size isn't a deterrent as he plays bigger than he is by utilizing his athleticism and quickness. He does a nice job of beating the initial defender off the bounce, finishes in a variety of ways around the rim, and does a nice job of making plays as a facilitator in the half-court. He has the ability to be a disruptive on-ball defender with his quickness and instincts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2717034"],"_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-691ccf48290d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Torres, a sophomore guard out of <em>East Catholic High School</em>, is another playmaking guard that does a nice job of creating easy scoring opportunities for his teammates. He's got a terrific handle, knows have to navigate ball screens, and has a good feel for when to pick his spots as a scorer in the paint. He gets downhill quickly, can make catch and shoot threes, and also has the ability to guard either back-court spot on the other end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Katz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Westhill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691ccf48291dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Katz, a sophomore guard out of <em>Westhill High School</em>, is a crafty scorer that makes plays both on and off the basketball. He creates for himself with some wiggle off the bounce and a quick first step. He's capable of scoring at all three levels, showing the ability to make contested twos or catch and shoot threes off the ball. On the other end of the floor, he has the ability to guard in space and to create turnovers at a high clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969372"],"_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-691ccf482925c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owens, a freshman guard out of <em>Bassick High School</em>, has a chance to make an impact this winter with his decision making and ability to run an offense in the half-court. He's confident with the ball in his hands and does a nice job of directing traffic offensively. He changes speeds to get to his spots off the bounce, can make jumpers in bunches, and shows a willingness to share the ball without causing it to stick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969364"],"_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-691ccf48292cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiley, a freshman guard out of <em>Suffield High School</em>, is a left-handed scorer that also makes an impact on the defensive end of the floor. He's at his best in transition where he can get out and use his quickness to attack the rim, showing an impressive feel as a finisher over size. Defensively, he thrives in passing lanes, showing good instincts and quick burst, which allows him to create plenty of steals and deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check back in tomorrow when we highlight underclassmen <em>Wings to Watch</em> out of the CIAC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->