NHIAA Underclassmen: Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our preseason previews series continues today as we move to New Hampshire and take a look at some <em>Underclassmen to Watch</em> out of the NHIAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First up, four <em>Guards to Watch</em> in 2028 and 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2964819"],"_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-69161e957623a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phanor, a sophomore guard out of <em>Pinkerton Academy</em>, could me among the region's top scoring sophomores this winter. As a freshman, he averaged an impressive 13.4 points per game - a number that should only rise this winter. He has a quick first step and plus length, both of which allow him to excel as an off the bounce scorer who can finish in a variety of ways around the rim. He's a tough shot maker in the mid-range, can really knock shots down from behind the arc, and is developing his ability to operate as an on-ball creator with each passing month.</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":"Will Jernigan","_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":"Oyster River","_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-69161e957635d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jernigan, a sophomore guard out of <em>Oyster River High School</em>, will look to take the next step in his development this winter. He's a combo guard that can play on or off the ball, showing the ability to score in catch and shoot situations, as a downhill driver, or off of movement as a cutter. He does a nice job of pushing the pace in transition and has the ability to defend either spot in the back-court, where his activity level in passing lanes stands out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883055"],"_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-69161e95763dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Connell, a sophomore guard out of <em>Bedford High School</em>, is ready to have a breakout season. He had a terrific spring and summer and looks poised to impact games with his basketball IQ, feel as a creator, and multi-level scoring ability. He averaged 4.7 points per game last winter on a really good <em>Bedford</em> team, but should take on more of an on-ball role this season. He plays at his own pace, sees the floor well, and has the ability to deliver passes on time and on target to teammates in scoring positions.</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":"Colin McLaughlin","_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":"6'2u0022","_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":"Hanover","_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-69161e95764b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McLaughlin, a sophomore guard out of <em>Hanover High School</em>, is a heady ball-handler that makes good decisions both in the half-court and in transition. He's coming off of a freshman season in which he averaged 3.7 points per game, but will be relied on much more heavily this winter due to his ability to operate as both a scorer and creator. He can make shots in bunches from behind the arc, has a good feel with the ball in his hands as a passer, and plays with boundless energy on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomorrow, we'll continue our preview series with a look at <em>Underclassmen: Wings to Watch</em> out of the NHIAA!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->