RCS Sports HoopsGiving Top Performers

The RCS Sports Hoopsgiving Showcase showcased talented high school basketball programs from various Texas locations. While some games were close and others were out of reach, I evaluated four players who made significant contributions to their respective teams.    [player_tooltip player_id='1777936' first='Josh' last='Goodwin Jr.'] was a standout player for Cypress Ranch in their game against CC Veterans Memorial, making a significant impact on both ends of the court. Offensively, he demonstrated his scoring ability by consistently converting points in the paint. Goodwin's extra effort plays, including collecting offensive rebounds and finishing second chance opportunities with explosive finishes which further contributed to his scoring. In transition he showcased his awareness by sprinting lanes to make himself a target. Defensively, Goodwin's athleticism and effort allowed him to make a substantial impact. He crashed the boards on both ends of the court and displayed versatility by playing inside and out in defensive rotations. The guard skills and versatility he has makes him a valuable player who would fit into a lot of systems on the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='2252498' first='Alim' last='Olajuwon'], an active on-ball defender, covers a significant amount of ground on the perimeter, particularly against the Burleson Centenial guards. In the paint, he effectively alters and blocks shots attempted by opposing players. His athleticism and length allow him to recover well in transition defense, chasing down and blocking opponents. Offensively, Alim has further developed his game since last season. While he continues to excel in slashing to the basket, he has made significant improvements in all three levels of scoring. His passing skills were evident as he made sharp passes to his teammates, providing multiple scoring opportunities throughout the game. Watching this game, it appears that Alim's confidence has increased since last season. His impressive 18-point performance yesterday was a testament to his growth and development.     New Wave Academy was trailing against Desoto when they managed to pull off a significant comeback. Jax played a pivotal role in this turnaround that effectively regained control of the game and making it competitive once again. Throughout the game he consistently contributed to the team's offensive success by efficiently scoring points and demonstrating his competitiveness on both ends of the court. His offensive performance was particularly noteworthy, as he showcased his versatility by scoring from all three levels of the court, including multiple three-point shots off the catch and dribble. Additionally, he was able to penetrate the paint which resulted in easy points and numerous trips to the free throw line. Defensively, he made valuable contributions by securing rebounds and actively participating in rotations.     [player_tooltip player_id='2558005' first='Tra'Davien' last='Young'] is a quick guard from Desoto who showcased his creativity on the court by scoring on all three levels against New Wave Academy. Throughout the game he capitalized on his speed advantage in the half court and during transition situations by scoring downhill. At times, he initiated scoring runs on his own which contributed to his impressive 26-point performance. Defensively, he demonstrated great effort by maintaining active hands in passing lanes, deflecting key passes, and applying ball pressure to opposing New Wave Academy players.

The RCS Sports Hoopsgiving Showcase showcased talented high school basketball programs from various Texas locations. While some games were close and others were out of reach, I evaluated four players who made significant contributions to their respective teams.