Max’s Mid-Week Prospect Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven prospects who impressed in the games I watched on Monday and Tuesday this week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126866"],"_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-69836ee6e7edc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Any time Washburn was making a run to get back into the game, Matthew seemed to provide an answer for Buffalo. He scored a game high 26 points on Monday night, constantly moving without the ball to find pockets of space to catch-and-shoot from three, or control an offensive board leading to a put-back bucket. Matthew's motor never seemed to stop as he's extremely active on the defensive end, likes to play fast in transition, and makes smart decisions under pressure. I really like how he looks to pass the ball ahead in transition to get his team a numbers advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2510330"],"_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-69836ee6e7f3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite playing on a smaller court where space was hard to find, Sam found a way to rack up 38 points to help Liberty Classical improve to 20-1 on the season. The 6'2 senior was attacking the basket with physicality, showing no problem playing through contact, and showcasing his impressive vertical to rise up and finish in a crowd. Did a nice job of finishing with either hand from some difficult angles. When he wasn't attacking the basket, he showed comfort knocking down a number of shots from beyond the arc. Strong and explosive guard putting up impressive scoring numbers as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400077"],"_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-69836ee6e7f7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite missing time with foul trouble, Eli showed the shot making ability that has him scoring over 20 ppg while competing in the state's best conference. The 2028 guard was automatic when left in space from beyond the arc, and did a nice job of quickly getting into his shot so the defense had no time to close out on him. Eli is always looking to pass and move, and finds ways to get his shots within the flow of the offense. Showed the strength and patience to make some plays off two feet around the rim as well. Eli finished with 21 points in a win over Washburn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560746"],"_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-69836ee6e7fbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryker is one of the best passers I've seen this year, and good things seemed to happen when the ball was in his hands. He sees angles that other guys simply miss, and can put difficult passes right on the money for his teammates. Even when he wasn't driving and dishing to an open teammate, Ryker's cross-court passes created some issues for the Buffalo defense as they were constantly having to sprint/rotate to close out. If you get into a pocket of space on the offensive end, chances are Ryker is going to find you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560883"],"_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-69836ee6e7ffa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heritage Christian was staying within striking distance for most of the game, but that was until Ethan caught fire in the second half. The 2026 guard finished with 35 points on the night, knocking down a number of threes, showcasing a nice mid-range pull-up game, and finishing in traffic around the basket. He did a nice job of moving without the ball, finding ways to score without needing to dribble. That was huge for Liberty's offense as there wasn't much space to attack off the dribble. He helped his team improve to 20-1 on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2869262"],"_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-698373bdbfa58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Michael is a physical wing-forward who plays a lot bigger than his listed height. He was a key scorer for Washburn as they kept it close with Buffalo for most of the game, as Michael found ways to cut to the rim and finish. Stevens could score out of the pick &amp; roll, could run the floor hard for transition opportunities, and was battling on the offensive glass to keep possessions alive. Nice mix of strength and body control to finish over the top of bigger defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2397563"],"_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-698373bdbfab1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas didn't have his biggest scoring game on Monday night, but we still saw that blend of composure and skill that has allowed him to produce against some of the best teams in the state this season. He showed flashes of his footwork and finishing touch that allows him to go to work out of the block, while also being a threat to drive from the wing. Thomas isn't going to stand out with elite quickness or explosiveness, but he knows how to use his body to get an edge on his defenders and work his way to the basket. Defensively he did a great job of walling up to defend the basket without fouling, helping to limit Washburn's center in the half-court while also being able to switch out and defend on the perimeter when needed. Super versatile sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->