December Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the calendar turns over into 2026, here are some players who have caught my eye so far this season. We have a mix of top-level recruits, under the radar guys, upperclassmen and underclassmen featured in this article. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Gavin Baker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bergan Catholic","_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-6954d5aa76605"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is an incredible athlete who has made his presence felt on both ends of the floor so far this season. His combination of athleticism, size, and skill makes him a tough matchup for anyone he faces. He is effective in the post with solid footwork and nice tough at the rim, especially with his favored right hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has also shown that he can play on the perimeter, and his ability to do that will dicate how coaches project him at the next level. He has shown the ability to shoot it from the outside at 45%(5/11) while also showing that he can take slower defends off the dribble from the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another skill of his that stands out to me is his ability to be a threat without the ball in his hands. Teams have tried to keep the ball out of his hands a lot this season, but he still finds ways to be effective, whether that is as a lob threat against a zone or by crashing the offensive glass hard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker figures to be the key for Bergan as they look to repeat as state champions in Class C2 this season. So far this season, he is averaging 21.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg He is an intriging player who coaches at the next level might consider taking a look at. </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":"Jordan Castor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Lincoln North Star","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Factory United","_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-6954d5aa76702"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Castor has wasted no time in building off of his stellar sophomore season, as the junoir is averaging 16.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.9 apg, and 3.7 spg. He just plays with a different level of speed and feel for the game. He is the complete opposite of a one-dimensional player, as he can beat you in so many ways, including being an effective defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One thing that I love about his game is that he is willing to make plays for his teammates, which is reflected in his nearly 7 assists per game. He pairs this with only 2 turnovers per game, which leads to a nice assist to turnover ratio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that you know you are getting with him is his ability to create off the dribble and get to the rim. His has a great handle and quickness that very few guys can stay in front of. When he gets to the rim, he has a unique ability to absorb contact, contort his body, and keep concentration to finish. He also can make all of the reads and plays in the pick and roll. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln North Star is playing with a ton of momentum right now, and Castor is the engine behind it. Look for him to continue to be a force as North Star looks like one of the top teams in the entire state. </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":"Derek Tonjes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ashland-Greenwood","_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-6954d5aa767dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trough 6 games so far this season, Tonjes has been a force. He is averaging 16.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 2.5 apg for undefeated Ashland-Greenwood. He is a very good athlete who understands who he is and what he does well. He gets to the rim with ease and finishes over 60% of his shots inside the arc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a knack for getting dribble penetration and making teams pay for it. He loves to spin back to his right, which has been deadly for opponents. He has also demonstrated some patience and is willing to shot fake and stay on his feet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that I thought was interesting as I watched him this season is that he has taken on more ballhandling responsibilities and has handled it well. This bodes well for any potential projection to the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland-Greenwood has gotten off to a hot start, as they are undefeated with wins over some very good teams. They are looking to repeat as champions in Class C1, and Tonjes will be one of the main factors in leading them there. </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":"Ryan Staehr","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"Aurora","_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-6954d5aa768b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Staehr is an under the radar player, but he is a guy who stood out to me while I was watching Aurora play. He went into their holiday tournament averaging 13.ppg and shooting 38% from three, and he had himself a nice tournament as I thought he stepped up as Aurora had some injuries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His calling card is his shooting ability, where he again is 38% from three on almost 30 attempts through 6 games. He is the kind of player that you can't lose track of, and he is always hunting his shot. He has a nice-looking shot and can shoot it with range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He played more on-ball when I saw him due to some injuries, and I thought that he looked comfortable with the ball in his hands. He showed that he can get downhill and get to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staehr's shooting is much needed to help space the floor for Aurora, who are looking like contenders in Class B. </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":"Kam Sealey","_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":"6'0u0022","_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":"Sandy Creek","_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-6954d5aa7699c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An underclassman who caught my eye in the summer, Sealey has been a force so far this season for Sandry Creek this season. The sophomore is averaging 12.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 3.7 apg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a dynamic guard that has a good combination of skill and athleticism, which he also showcased on the football field. He is tough for defenders to stay in front of and can get to the rim when he wants to. He is also a willing rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that makes him dangerous is his ability to shoot from deep. He is only 26% so far this winter, but he is the kind of guy who can get hot any time. Over the summer, he showed an ability to score in bunches while shooting from range and off the dribble. If he gets hot, the opponent might be in for a long night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandy Creek has gotten off the a good start this season and has the potential to make some noise in Class C2 this season. Sealey will be a key factor in how far they can get this season, and it will be fun to see how he continues to grow as a player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->