Even in Defeat Sweet 16 Standouts Who Made Their Mark; Part 3

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The playoffs doesn't just expose weaknesses, it reveals greatness. Part 3 highlights players whose seasons ended sooner than they hoped, but whose performances under the brightest lights still commanded attention. These were not quiet exits…these were statements...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313889' first='Gage' last='Mayfield'] </strong>(6'8/G|F/'26/Hale County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: 5stargoon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">It was because of nationally ranked prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2313889' first='Gage' last='Mayfield'] that Hale County was, in the eyes of many in the grassroots community, the favorite to win it all. In an instant classic, he showed why he is highly respected across the country and a favorite to win Mr. Basketball. He has a really good frame and strength. His strength is clearly seen along with his bounce and ability to rise up in tight spaces, as well as his ability to score in the paint with touch and finish strong through contact. Midfield threw everything but the kitchen sink at him, but he still showed why he was so highly sought after, as he could get a bucket whenever he wanted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748253' first='Lee' last='Steele']</strong> (6'6/SG/'28/Orange Beach)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: lee3steele</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Lee is a young, talented guard with positional size and a versatile scoring package, but, like his team, he found it hard to get things going. Despite the offensive struggles, Lee did not allow it to affect his competitive nature as he still competed at a high level on both ends of the floor, but the defending 4A state champions had too much firepower. Lee had to work for everything he got throughout the game, and in the process showed many the potential at Orange Beach over the next couple of years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748260' first='Bryce' last='Young'] </strong>(6'3/PG/'28/East Lawrence)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Hezzy.Bryce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @HezzyBryce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I am not sure if there had been a 30-piece in any of the Sweet 16 games, but Bryce dropped 32pts in the loss to Deshler. His scoring prowess is undeniable, but the confidence with which he plays with now is the difference maker every time he steps onto the floor. He reads the floor well in both transition and half-court settings, creates for teammates with precision passes, and understands when to take over versus facilitate. In the Sweet 16, his team needed point production, and he delivered time and time again. He had an impressive sophomore campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Grant Nickelson </strong>(6'1/CG/'27/Plainview) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: grant_nickelson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Grant had an efficient performance in the Sweet 16, proving to be a tough cover and putting pressure on the defense with his ability to get to the cup. When he gets going downhill, he was tough to contain, and he did a good job of finishing in traffic and at the rim. He is a tough-minded guard who impacts the game with his grit on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jonas Browder</strong> (5'11/PG/'27/Sandrock)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: bigjoe1278</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @BrowderJon77184</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sand Rock as a team struggled offensively throughout the game, and unfortunately, they were not able to overcome it. Jonas had an off night and just could not connect on his shot attempts. Despite not being able to produce as he has throughout the season, he did not allow his struggles to affect his overall play. He kept competing at a high level, found ways to score, and showed a budding floor game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sam Bratcher</strong> (5'11/PG/'28/Houston Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: samuelbratcher_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sam is a young guard who plays on and off the ball and has his team competing in a highly contested game that went down to the wire. Sam showed his ability to score from all levels, but really showed his ability to impact the game with his shooting from behind the arc. He had an efficient night, shooting well from the field. He has a good understanding of the game, showed to be cool under pressure, and delivered timely buckets. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->