Standout Sophomores

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we continue to move through the winter season, here are a few sophomores who have stood out so far this season. These guys have made an impact as underclassmen and should continue to draw more attention from scouts and coaches as they continue to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Jaxson Vasicek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Columbus","_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-696f1e04a0d10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vasicek is currently the leading scorer in Class A among all sophomores at 16.6 ppg, and it is easy to see why. He is a very athletic player, especially for his age, which makes him a factor in multiple areas of the game. He is able to work inside on the block, where he has solid footwork. He is also a factor in transition and on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to his 16.6 ppg, he also averages 6.1 rpg and 1.6 apg. Part of what makes him intriguing, in addition to his size, is his ability to shoot the three. He is currently 18/58(31%) from three, which shows some potential. If he can continue to get more comfortable as a playmaker and continue to develop his skills, he will be an interesting player to keep an eye on. </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":"Brayan Palmer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Auburn","_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-696f1e04a0db1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Palmer has been one of the biggest risers this season, as the sophomore has made his presence felt. He boasts excellent footwork to pair with his good size, which has made him a tough matchup in the post. One thing that he does well, especially for a sophomore, is demonstrate patience, as he often shot fakes multiple times to find the right shot and draw a foul. He has shown the ability to score on guys his size as well as punish mismatches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is currently averaging 9.4 ppg and 7.8 rpg this season for an Auburn team that is once again near the top of Class C1. While he hasn't shot a three, you can tell that he has an advanced feel for the game and understands who he is as a player and excels at that. One place that you see this is in the pick-and-roll, where he has shown that he can set effective screens and roll to the basket. </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":"Jaxon Slagle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Aurora","_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-696f1e04a0e41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slagle is another young post player who has made an impact this season. He has great size and length, which has made him a factor on the defensive end. He is a good shot blocker who often alters shots even if he doesn't get a hand on it. He is often utilized in the post, where he uses his size to score over defenders. He is also often used as a screener, where he can roll and sometimes even pop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slagle currently averages 9.2 ppg and 6.6 rpg. He has shown a moderate willingness to shoot the three, where he is 4/16(25%) this season. He is a player who is oozing with potential and could really take off as he continues to mature physically, and if he can continue to refine his skill. </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":"Carter McCullough","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lincoln Christian","_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-696f1e04a0eee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yet another young post player, McCullough might have the most polished all-around game of these young posts. He is a big and strong kid, and when you combine that with his footwork and touch at the rim, he is tough for opposing teams to guard. His spin move is especially lethal in the post, as defenders aren't used to guys his size doing that. He has also shown that he can score off the bounce from the perimeter, which can create matchup problems for opponents who try to put bigger guys on him to the tune of 58% on 2's this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCullough is currently averaging 10.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg. He is a willing shooter even as he has only shot 12 on the season so far(25%). There is also a lot of promise in his passing ability, which he has demonstrated as he finds shooters and cutters when he is doubled. It doesn't quite seem as if McCullough has realized how dominant he could be, but when he does look for him to rise up the ranks. </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":"Ryan Guenther","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Auburn","_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-696f1e04a0f7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another young standout from Auburn, Guenther is a player with a lot of skill and potential. He has a unique combination of size, athleticism, and skill, which has made him an impact player as a sophomore. One thing that you see when you watch him is an explosiveness to get downhill and attack the rim. He does a good job of finding shooters or finishing at the rim, where he is 60% on 86 attempts so far this season. Another thing that I love about his game is his defense, as he is an excellent perimeter defender, even picking up full-court at times. His skill, defense, and rebounding make him a versatile player who can fit in on any team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, Guenther is averaging 11.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 2.5 apg. Right now, the only hole in his game is his outside shooting ability. He is currently 2/18(11%) from three and 57% from the line. If he can refine his mechanics, then I can definitely see this improving. Overall, I think that he has one of the highest ceilings out of all of the young players I have seen in the state. Not many guys have his size, ball skills, explosiveness, and feel for the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->