Impactful Prospects from the Uprise Fall Icebreaker

Plenty of big-time performances that popped this weekend at the Uprise Ice Breaker. These weren't necessarily the headline names coming in, but they made real impressions with production, energy, and translatable skills. Whether it was shot-making, physical play, defensive impact, or just showing they belong in high-level matchups, these guys showed they're ready to take real steps forward this season. Take a look at who stood out.     Jack was a spark for Rock Canyon this weekend as he looks to make his mark the second he gets in the game. He checked in and immediately changed pace as he was pushing the break, finishing in transition, and turning stops into momentum. Jack is a low-maintenance player but an impactful player. He had timely and-1 finishes and kept his team connected with his energy. Every team needs a guy who flips the tempo and brings juice. That was him all weekend.     Valentine is a player that we've yet to see a bad game from. He's very consistent, and he does the little things that lead to wins. He has great size and uses it as he cuts, screens, rebounds, battles inside, and stays active on both ends. With how Rock Canyon plays, he doesn't need plays called for him, as he creates scoring through movement and physicality. One game he chipped in efficiently; the next he took over on the boards and finished everything around the rim. He's a glue guy but also one of their top players, and we saw that with his performance at the event where he finished with double digits in both games, including a 15-point performance.     Quartaro is a player whose size and strength show immediately when watching T-Ridge play. He recognizes mismatches and doesn't hesitate to go to work when he gets the chance. At the event, he was backing down smaller defenders or stepping out to hit the 3 but he made sure the size disadvantage was on full display. He moves constantly and defends multiple positions. We got to see him guard a top big, then switch onto guards and hold his own and that defensive versatility will set him apart. He scored consistently without forcing but made his presence known. Lot to like.     With Sam, the effort is always there, and that activity is always what has him popping off the screen. But what isn't being talked about is how often he makes timely plays. When the team needs a rebound, he gets it. If it is a 3-pointer or a finish inside, he does that too, and that is what makes T-Ridge dangerous. This weekend, he used his size as a slasher and played through contact. He had a few bully-ball moments. The next step is creating more for others and flowing as a decision-maker as he seems to do everything else. The foundation is real, and now it's about expanding his game. Excited to see the next steps there.     Champ appeared to be in a different role for Chaparral as we got to see what they look like at full strength, and we like what we saw. He took on the point guard responsibilities and handled it as the facilitator role rather than being one of the top scoring options. He settled in as was able to manage pace, kept the ball moving, and organized the offense. Champ didn't force but still looked to score when the opportunities were there, and that has to be his role with two of the state's top scorers around him. He created for teammates off the dribble and had defensive moments that led to transition chances. This seemed to be a move where he was adjusting to being the lead facilitator, and he looked comfortable doing it.

Plenty of big-time performances that popped this weekend at the Uprise Ice Breaker. These weren't necessarily the headline names coming in, but they made real impressions with production, energy, and translatable skills. Whether it was shot-making, physical play, defensive impact, or just showing they belong in high-level matchups, these guys showed they're ready to take real steps forward this season. Take a look at who stood out.