Southern Durham Showcase Standouts (Part One)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had a great day of basketball at Southern Durham High School yesterday with a five game slate featuring talent from all across the State of North Carolina. There was a bevy of talent on display featuring a ton of talent from the Bull City. Without further delay, let's take a look at the first group of standouts from this event!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1454560"],"_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-69483d6b39cc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Merrimack commit was a major reason why a shorthanded Caldwell Academy was able to gut out a real character win over Jordan HS in Durham. Johnson's shot-making, poise, and timely defensive plays were vital in this Caldwell win. With no [player_tooltip player_id='2055665' first='Neal' last='Swindell'] and a few other contributors out with illness + no practice last week. The veteran battle tested backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1571119' first='King' last='Kendrick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1454560' first='Ayden' last='Johnson'] had to shine, that is exactly what they did. Johnson is a true threat to score the basketball from all over the floor, he's willing to come off the basketball when needed, but also not scared to take over when needed and make plays for himself or others off the bounce. Expect Johnson to help lead Caldwell on another state title run this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2740609"],"_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-69483d6b39d15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In what was an instant classic game that his team came just short in, Raper was firing on all cylinders for his team. He is so good making plays for others in ball screens, knows exactly what pass to make in those situations. He's a sniper from deep with a ton of confidence in his ability to make any shot he takes. Raper is a key piece on one of the state's top teams, continuing to really hone in on his development as a PG. When we update rankings and profiles, he will no longer be listed as a shooting guard. Expect Raper to continue to shine for Concord all season long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2623267"],"_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-69483d6b39d5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We just wrote about Morman last week but his performance vs Caldwell Academy deserves even more attention. Morman got his team off to a really strong start, attacking the paint to make plays, getting his shooters quality looks early. He probably has the best timing as a passer in the State, he simply knows when to get rid of it and when to keep it in a way that most other guards do not. He made timely plays when calling his own number for baskets, all while bringing a real emotional edge to the game. Morman was able to seal the win with a block on a jumper with less than 5 seconds remaining. He found a way to execute in the final 3 minutes of the game at an elite level. Advanced feel, advanced skill, and real self belief. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2299468"],"_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-69483d6b39d9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was another night in the office for [player_tooltip player_id='2299468' first='Geren' last='Holmes']. The well rounded wing scorer had an afternoon full of calm buckets in a dominant TBS win over Durham Academy. Holmes has legit above the rim athleticism in transition, a lethal catch and shoot game, with all of the other refined skills showing real continued progress. Holmes is at his best when he's engaged on the glass which he was in this one, especially in the middle 3rd of the game where TBS ran away with it. He doesn't need the ball in his hands a lot to have a real impact on the scoresheet, and his production is translating to more success in the W/L department for TBS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2636728"],"_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-694994d1a3719"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collini is a guy that will definitely find himself ranked when we update everything here really soon. At 6'5" now he's a truly useful two way player with his outside touch and nose for the basketball being his true calling cards. Collini is shot ready at all times, consistently looking to raise up and fire when he's got a clean look. He's a presence in the rebounding department as well, definitely very competitive in that aspect of the game. For Coach Ross and Jordan, Finn emerging as a big time producer this season has been incredibly important. As he continues to produce at this level, expect more attention to come his way really soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->