Behan Strong: Skilled Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended the annual Behan Strong event honoring former SJC HC Pat Behan, with the proceeds funding his treatment and care for ALS (Link to donate <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-pat-behan-in-his-fight-against-als">here</a>). Four great varsity matchups after a Freshman and JV game was a great environment to catch some high level hoops as we turn the page to a new year. First, we'll touch on the guards that stood out. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2453752"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3295777,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6959f20e382aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">21p 7a 4r 2s 8/15 FG 2/6 3P 3/5 FT vs Ryken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Came away impressed with Johnson's development as a scoring PG that got off to a hot start in the 1H. Johnson scored a quick 15 points in the first half by pushing the pace in transition and taking advantage of driving lanes in the halfcourt-- which was encouraging on a night where the typical perimeter shots weren't falling. Johnson used that scoring gravity from the 1H to really lock in on creating for his teammates in the 2H with 5 2H assists, finding shooters on the perimeter and bigs on the block with relative ease. His scoring and perimeter shooting prowess continues to keep his team in games against non-conference opponents and win games against in-conference matchups. Think that there is a decent chance that he plays his way into a scholarship if he keeps up the play-making, as that duality raises his projected floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2353547"],"_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-6959f20e383e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">20p 6r 2a 3s 7/20 FG 6/7 FT vs PVI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Veney didn't shoot the ball particularly well against a red-hot Panthers group that boasts the best perimeter defender in the country-- but he didn't let that affect his aggressive play in the marquee game of the Behan Strong event. Veney got it going with an AND1 high dribble pickup and float off the window in transition, scored on several putbacks around the rim, grabbed his own missed 3 and scored on the putback through the contact. Loved that he still earned himself several trips to the line when the perimeter jumpers or paint floaters weren't dropping. He played a big role in the Cadets cutting the lead to 6 with just under 2 minutes left in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588148"],"_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-6959f20e38508"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">10p 5r 1a 1s 6b 3/8 FG 4/5 FT vs Jackson Reed </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the better two-way performances that I've seen this season and from Achufusi. He was aggressive and active defensively both in the halfcourt and in transition blocking shots both on and off the ball (6 total). His handle has improved and he's finding opportunities to probe the defense when attacking long closeouts. Rebounds very well for his size because he has a nose for the ball and isn't afraid to mix it up with bigs in the paint. His best play came on a defensive rebound that he took coast to coast, skipped through traffic in the lane to finish with the inside hand reverse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3295789"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3297921,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6959f20e3858c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">7p 1r 1a 3/4 FG 1/2 3P 12 mins vs SJC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Came in cold off the bench and gave the Panthers some good minutes in both halves as a shooter that spaces the floor for his team. Harsanyi knocked down a huge 3 late in the 4Q, scored on runouts in transition at the rim, and competed defensively. Forcing his matchup to their weak hand to force dribble pick-ups and make his opponent more uncomfortable will probably be the next stage of his development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3297901"],"_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-695aca6628b39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">9p 1a 1s 3/7 FG 3/6 3P in 19 mins vs Bullis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The senior PG continues to find ways to impact the game in his opportunities both on and off the ball for a pretty young Gonzaga team. Farrington hit a 3 early in the 1H to stop a Bullis run then cashed out on two huge threes on the wing late in the 2H that helped to bring a 17-point lead down to a two possession game. His "whatever the team needs" approach on a nightly basis will be huge for a huge class of guards and young prospects in '28 and '29 on I St. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3295809"],"_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-6959f20e38607"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">5p 2/4 FG in 12 mins vs St. Mary's </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coach Hulum turned to Holden in the 2H of their game against St. Mary's looking for answers and Holden responded well off the bench. He hit a 3 off the catch, got all the way to the rim for a lay, and flew around defensively for the Knights. If he can separate himself as a floor-spacing shooter, there is opportunity for minutes within a Knights offense that needs a perimeter threat to emerge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->