Five Impressive 2027s in Gray’s Win Over Brookland-Cayce

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray Collegiate Academy picked up its 14th-consecutive win and moved to 10-0 in region play with an 89-57 win over Brookland-Cayce on Friday night. It was a tough night for the Bearcats, particularly after they were down by only one point through eight minutes, but there were a couple of players who showed some good things, including a highly-touted Point Guard who I got to see for the first time this season. Check out these five juniors who impressed me in the War Eagle victory:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1489156"],"_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-697d89cc33c24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1489156' first='Rickey' last='Littlejohn III'] begins my list of standout 2027s. He was fantastic in the PG1 role for the War Eagles, running their offense to the tune of 7 assists. Rickey was especially impactful in transition as Gray Collegiate Academy pulled away in the second half, with multiple unselfish dishes and a pair of runout layups. Littlejohn consistently made the right play with the ball in his hands and beat defenders off the dribble with his speed, but he is also a capable spot-up shooter when the ball comes back his direction at the end of possessions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2147147"],"_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-697d89cc33cd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Echevarria played a big role in getting the crowd into the game early, as well as turning the one-point first-quarter lead into an 11-point halftime lead. There aren't many guards in the state who can elevate like Luis, and he is prone to putting on a show at the rim when he gets out in transition. He was one of five War Eagles who connected on a three, and his came off an offensive rebound where the defense had collapsed on the interior. Echevarria made a few impressive passes as well, racking up 9 points and 4 assists in the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2149163"],"_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-697d89cc33d60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the players who had the most all-around production tonight was Jayden. His fingerprints were all over the game, going for 16 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Rowe was an analytically efficient offensive player in this game, scoring all of his points at the rim, the free-throw line, or from behind the arc. He had 3 3PM - all on spot-up looks with a repeatable, sound release. Rowe also looked very bouncy when at the rim, including a tough, driving and-one and a pair of transition finishes. If this is Jayden that GCA will get nightly, it's hard to see a scenario where they aren't the last team standing in Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2469366"],"_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-697d89cc33dfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter was MIA the first time I saw the Bearcats in November, so it was great to see him back on the floor tonight. Jackson was far and away the best player on the floor for Brookland-Cayce, tallying 18 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. He had several more assist-worthy passes, but the two things I was most impressed with were his ability to play through contact and knock down jump shots. They played off each other because Carter effectively used legal bumps to create space for mid-range jumpers. Jackson also had four made threes, which is an exciting addition to his game this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2230456"],"_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-697d89cc33e91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the list of 2027s who impressed in the matchup between Gray Collegiate and Brookland-Cayce is [player_tooltip player_id='2230456' first='Isaiah' last='Daniels']. Daniels was quiet in the first half, but flipped in around in the second to finish with 16 points. He had some solid moments despite the loss, including a smart drawn charge and a late catch-and-shoot three. On offense, Isaiah was most productive around the rim, using his size, athleticism, and positioning to capitalize on some defensive breakdowns. He still projects as a wing long-term, but it is good to see Isaiah produce while having to play out of position at the high-school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->