Northwestern–Nation Ford Flaunts Unsigned Seniors, Elite Freshmen

<!-- 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>One of the games I've had marked on my calendar since the start of the month was last night's Class 5A Region 3 contest between Northwestern and Nation Ford. Not only did this game feature two teams with similar records who both needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but it also showcased each team's senior leader plus three freshmen who will be ranked in the top 50 of the first edition of the Prep Hoops SC Class of 2029 Rankings, which releases in early March. Check out the five prospects who stood out to me in Northwestern's 51-48 win over Nation Ford on Friday night:</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":["2642309"],"_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-6974e7d36f32c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off the names to know from Friday's matchup between Northwestern and Nation Ford is [player_tooltip player_id='2642309' first='Ryland' last='Meszaros']. Meszaros is a late bloomer, one who averaged just 6.9 PPG as a junior and is only now starting to turn the heads of people across the state. Ryland is smart, tough, and well-drilled, featuring several desirable attributes in his offensive bag, like the ability to attack the defender's top foot and play off two feet at the rim. He is a capable shot maker off the catch or the dribble, and will do a lot of dirty work on the defensive end to create turnovers and win the glass. If you are looking for a gritty Combo Guard who is only going to get better at the next level, Meszaros fits that mold exactly and is worth a watch. He finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2419233"],"_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-6974e7d36f397"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Running the one for the Trojans was Lowery. It took him a little bit to get going offensively, but once he got a pick-six transition layup, he turned up the heat offensively and went for 12 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the 51-48 win. Kai has one of the tighter handles in the 2029 class, and that was crucial late in the game as Nation Ford pressed Northwestern. He also hit a pair of threes, including one from the top of the key during a crucial third-quarter run. Lowery's ability to efficiently hit perimeter shots will be important as he develops as an interior finisher, but there's no doubt he will be able to make plays at a high level over the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3437186"],"_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-6974e7d36f3e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I had heard some positive things about Jonah over the summer, but he really caught my eye on Friday and was arguably as important to their win as anyone. He was key in flipping the third quarter around, turning a seven-point deficit into a seven-point lead because he had three offensive rebounds on the first three possessions of the half. Along with simply keeping plays alive on offense and preventing second chances on defense, Jonah chipped in with 8 points on a put-back layup, a dunker-spot dive, and 4-4 FT. Keep an eye on Kenon's development, because he could be an important piece of this bright young core at Northwestern High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470146"],"_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-6974e7d36f426"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Switching over to the Nation Ford side of things, there were some good things to take away from the first half of a disappointing region loss. Walters had 11 points with 2 made threes over the first 16:00, adding a consistent shooting threat to an offense that features two young playmakers. Chase will have plenty of action run for him, but even when he doesn't, he stays active off the ball and mixes in backdoor cuts with drifts along the perimeter to capitalize on open spaces in the defense. He also made a few nice plays when run off the three-point line, including a left-hand lay, a mid-range pull-up, and an assist under the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2957759"],"_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-6974e7d36f469"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the eye-catchers from Northwestern vs Nation Ford on Friday night is [player_tooltip player_id='2957759' first='AJ' last='Cureton']. Like Lowery, Cureton is one of the most exciting underclassmen in the state and already has an established role in the backcourt as a freshman. AJ showed some really good things with the ball in his hands despite the loss, frequently creating good looks for himself and others off the dribble. He had 9 points on a pull-up three, a tough mid-range jumper, and two runners off the glass, but he also had 7 assists, which is more intriguing for his long-term future. Cureton already shows lots of good signs as a young Point Guard, so he will be one to watch during the AAU season when he goes back to playing with others his age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->