MIAA Upperclassmen: Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up in our state association preview series is Massachusetts and the MIAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll begin with a look at five <em>Guards to Watch</em> this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696712"],"_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-692a43e240779"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Klass, a senior guard out of <em>Beverly High School</em>, has a chance to lead the state in scoring this winter while helping his squad win a lot of games. He's really good in isolation situations, showing some wiggle with the ball in his hands and the ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor off the bounce. He has good vision as a facilitator, knows how to operate out of ball screens, and can score it at all three levels. On the other end of the floor, he generates a high number of turnovers with his quickness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696697"],"_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-692a43e240801"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Loewen, a senior guard out of <em>Georgetown High School</em>, could be a major offensive creator for his team this winter. The playmaking guard has terrific vision in the half-court, does a nice job of delivering passes on time and on target, and even shows the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc. He guards either position in the back-court and has the lateral quickness to keep opposing ball-handlers out of the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2711381"],"_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-692a43e240871"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neal, a junior guard out of <em>Lynnfield High School</em>, can fill it up from the outside and should take a leap this winter in his overall production. He has terrific positional size, does a nice job of moving without the basketball in his hands, and uses his length to finish around the rim. He has a quick release on his jumper, can get it off against almost any defender, and does a nice job of getting his shots within the flow of the offense. On the other end, he does a nice job of crashing the defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2711407"],"_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-692a43e2408d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roux, a junior guard out of <em>Andover High School</em>, should step into the role of one of the top perimeter shooters in the state this winter. He's a dynamic scorer of the basketball that does a great job of using screens to get open in the half-court and has in-the-gym range on his jumper. He can score as an on-ball initiator or off the ball in catch and shoot situations, while also showing a developing feel for the game as a creator with the ball in his hands. His basketball IQ stands out on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696662"],"_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-692a43e240938"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lopez, a senior guard out of <em>Central Catholic High School</em>, is among a handful of players that could be in consideration for the state's player of the year. An elite scorer, he does a great job of playing at his own speed, getting to his spots with patience, and using his frame to his advantage as a scorer. He does a great job of drawing fouls and converting at the line, is a willing ball-mover in the half-court, and can really score it in the mid-range. Defensively, he can guard up and down a position and makes a real impact on the defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our preview series will continue tomorrow with a look at the <em>Wings to Watch</em> in the MIAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->