King’s Classic Tournament Key Players Down the Stretch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The National Scholastic Prep Association's King's Classic tournament featured teams from Canada, Colorado, and Texas. Throughout the day on last Friday, each team displayed competitiveness. I will be highlighting five key players who significantly shifted the momentum for their respective teams down the stretch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2398615"],"_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":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6937829443cf8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DJ Hawkins, a standout player from Colorado Prep, emerged as the second leading scorer against Colorado Destination Academy securing a total of 13 points. His impressive performance was largely attributed to his shooting ability from the perimeter, where he successfully sank three three-pointers. Hawkins's ability to find his spots off the dribble was instrumental in his success. In the second quarter alone, he contributed 8 points that effectively shifting the momentum in favor of Colorado Prep before halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2233712"],"_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":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6937829443da0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Christian Weadon, a standout player for Empowering Others Prep, scored an impressive 20 points against [program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']. Notably, he made six three-pointers, many of which came from open looks. Christian's ability to create open looks was a key factor in his success. He often plays off the ball on the perimeter, catching passes and shooting off the catch. His tendency to fade to the wings was valuable as he frequently found himself in scoring position there. Over the years, Christian has demonstrated his proficiency as a perimeter shooter. He has the potential to develop a consistent scoring rhythm if he can consistently create open looks for himself off the ball.</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":3189766,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Youri Warren","_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":"6'8u0022","_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']","_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":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6937829443ec0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']'s Youri Warren was the second leading scorer for his team putting together an impactful 15 points against Empowering Other Prep. Nine of his fifteen points came from the 4th quarter where he gave [program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United'] Prep the push to a victory. Youri uses his power to create separation in the interior to go up strong against opposing bigs where he excelled. On both ends of the floor he is a capable rebounder that will have flashes of outworking his matchups for them. In the interior Youri is a strong and physical power forward that has the potential to be a well-rounded player with more development as he graduates in 2028.</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":3189769,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ezekial Ifejeh","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']","_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":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6937829443fbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']'s Ezekial Ifejeh showcased his dominance in the interior during his game against Empowering Others Prep. He finished with an impressive 18 points, primarily scoring from close range. In the third quarter alone, Ezekial scored 10 points, finding his rhythm after halftime. When he gets his opportunities up close, he utilizes his strong frame to draw contact and power through the physicality to convert. With his skills and potential, I wouldn't be surprised to hear about Ezekial in the coming years as he is definitely someone college coaches should keep an eye on, graduating in the class of 2029.</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":3189774,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ehizogie Ehikhametalor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']","_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-69378294440ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']'s Ehizogie Ehikhametalor emerged as the game-changer in the fourth quarter against Empowering Others Prep. He made two crucial three-pointers that shifted the momentum in their favor. Offensively, he showcased his versatility with an impressive 11-point performance, demonstrating his ability to score from various angles. His defensive prowess was equally noteworthy as he applied significant pressure on ball handlers. Remarkably, Ehizogie is an eighth grader participating in varsity-level competition at an exceptionally high level. With the frame he possesses, he has the potential to solidify his status as a top high school prospect in the coming years as he continues to develop his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->