CIAC Upperclassmen: Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we start our final set of previews for upperclassmen in the state associations throughout New England.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five <em>Guards to Watch</em> out of the CIAC in Connecticut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2910205"],"_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-693239825fb0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers, a senior guard out of <em>Hillhouse High School</em>, should play a major role in his team's success this winter. He's a crafty guard with the ball in hs hands that is at his best in transition, where he does a great job of making plays that lead to easy baskets. He does a good job of getting downhill off the bounce in the half-court, has good vision as a passer, and shows the ability to play through contact as a finisher. Defensively, he does a nice job at the point of attack, keeping opponents out of the paint and making it difficult for them to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2759446"],"_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-693239825fbaa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clachko, a senior guard out of <em>Staples High School</em>, has a chance to be one of the state's top scorers this winter. The combo guard does a nice job of operating both as an off-ball mover and an on-ball creator. He uses screens to his advantage to get open as a scorer, has a quick release on his jumper, and shows some creativity as a finisher around the rim. The depth of his scoring arsenal is a seperator for him. On the other end of the floor, he knows how to play angles and does a nice job of making plays in passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875623"],"_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-693239825fc18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCullough, a senior guard out of <em>Daniel Hand High School</em>, stands out with his two-way play, intensity, and effort. He does a great job of making plays on the basketball on the defensive end of the floor, giving up his body for the good of his team, and rebounding in space. Offensively, he knows how to run an offense in the half-court, can play with physicality as a driver, and does a nice job of finishing around the rim. His ability to make winning plays on both ends of the floor stands out every time he steps on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470979"],"_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-693239825fc8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reeves, a junior guard out of <em>Notre Dame High School West Haven</em>, stands out with his playmaking and ability to put pressure on a defense as a ball-handler. He's shifty with the ball in his hands, has a quick first step from the perimeter, and knows how to manipulate a defense to open up scoring opportunities. He can play in ball screens, creates advantages as a driver, and has the ability to make tough shots in the mid-range. Defensively, he hounds opposing ball-handlers with his quickness, leading to plenty of steals and deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568504"],"_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-693239825fcf1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlot, a junior guard out of <em>Notre Dame High School Fairfield</em>, is one of the top point guards in the state. His ability to run an offense, leading to easy baskets for his team, is second to none in Connecticut. He plays with elite quickness, has a terrific feel for the game out of ball screens, and does a great job of making plays off the bounce that lead to scoring opportunities. On the other end of the floor, he can defend in space with terrific lateral quickness, using his speed to make life difficult for opponents at the point of attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomorrow, we'll take a look at some notable wings in Connecticut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->