Southwestern Basketball: Top 5 Players on the Top 5 Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this Southwestern edition of my Colorado basketball series, we're reviewing each conference in CHSAA and providing an overview of which players on the best teams have thrived so far. From the 9-0 Palisade Bulldogs to the Durango Demons, let's talk about it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2410534"],"_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-6958ba84daeec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2410534' first='Hunter' last='Howard'] is in the drivers seat of this undefeated Palisade squad, averaging 13.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 3.1 SPG. Howard is a 5'9 combo guard who confidently navigates his way through defenses to kick to an open shooter or attack the rim. One of Howard's most slept on attributes is his mid- range game, where he looks comfortable on the hardwood on both ends of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1764298"],"_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-6958ba84daf8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1764298' first='Jhett' last='Wells'] is undisputedly Fruita Monument's strongest asset across the board, leading his team in every statistic. Thus far, Wells has averaged a monstrous 28 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, 4.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG, all on 53% shooting from the field. Aside from the numbers, Wells is a phenomenal playmaker who oozes confidence each trip down the floor. There's never an ounce of hesitation in him, as each dribble, pass, and shot is intentional. Wells is on track to be the best guard in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2390116"],"_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-6958ba84daffe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2390116' first='Noah' last='Schmalz'] represents how valuable it is to be a consistent three-point shooter in today's game. Converting on an impressive 40% of his looks from downtown, Schmalz is constantly shot-ready and moves off the ball frequently to get the shot he wants. Additionally, Schmalz loves to crash the glass and accelerate the offensive tempo in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2390378"],"_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-6958ba84db069"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">CJ Rocco goes full throttle each time he laces up. The 6'3 forward is an exceptional shot creator who gains incredible separation and capitalizes from beyond the arc. Rocco thrives just as often on the defensive end, being a pest to his matchup and forcing a boatload of turnovers. Coming up with just under 11 PPG and 3.9 SPG, this dual-threat star is making a name for himself during his final high school season. </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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kingston Kerlin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Durango","_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-6958ba84db131"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kingston Kerlin is one of the brightest lights for the Durango Demons, despite starting the season 3-4. Coming off a 28-point masterclass on Dec. 11, Kerlin earned multiple trips to the foul stripe and gave his team plenty of wiggle room to secure the win. Kerlin looks to continue fighting hard for Durango and get his teammates involved on the road to a winning season this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->