Survive and Advance: Difference Makers in a Must-Win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>With the final UIL Bi-District playoff spot hanging in the balance, Azle and Chisholm Trail left nothing to chance. The urgency was evident from the tip to the buzzer, as every possession carried postseason weight. In a win-or-go-home setting, several prospects rose to the occasion, delivering timely scoring and defensive stops. When the stakes were highest, these were some of the biggest game changers who stepped up and helped determine a season-defining outcome.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2558110"],"_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-699d397c6d45f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2558110' first='Jordan' last='Riley'] impacted the game as a ball hawk, using active hands and high energy to be a productive defensive weapon who caused chaos and forced turnovers relentlessly. Riley showed a willingness to hound and crowd space while digging and swiping at the ball. Riley was first to floor diving for the ball, his hustle was outstanding and everlasting. Off the ball [player_tooltip player_id='2558110' first='Jordan' last='Riley'] ran over the top of screens staying attached to shooters. Good court awareness, he always knew where his teammates were no matter how the defense shifted, consistently finding his shooters and setting a tone early with knack for spreading the ball around. He found cutters, backdoor corners, or shooters lifting with impeccable timing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2915148"],"_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-699d397c6d4d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2915148' first='Jaylen' last='Sanders'] handled intense defensive ball pressure incredibly well, using tight handles, sharp changes of direction, and spin moves to get to his spots or turn the corner into the paint. Once inside, Sanders converted tough layups through traffic, finishing with control and confidence despite contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2558117"],"_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-699d397c6d51b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2558117' first='Jordan' last='Goree'] drives hard with purpose, looking to create contact off the dribble often being elusive enough to find ways to snake around defenders, getting his man on his hip to control the angle or draw the foul. Once inside the paint, he played with balance and footwork, using pivots and head fakes to get defenders out of position. He Went on to sink the game winning free throws to secure the victory and the playoff spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2556224"],"_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-699d397c6d560"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior guard proved to be a high-motor competitor who never took plays off and consistently hustled back in transition defense. As an off-ball defender, Mutombo chased down blocks, jumped passing lanes, and hard denied catches. Offensively, Jesse was at his best attacking the paint, penetrating at will, driving left with explosive power, initiating contact into a man's chests while playing off two feet to finish strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252241"],"_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-699d397c6d5a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2252241' first='Cason' last='Cook'] knocked down three-pointers at the most crucial moments in both halves, confidently stepping into catch-and-shoot threes and snapping the net. Even in crunch time during the fourth quarter, Cook remained poised and ready, delivering timely perimeter shots when they were needed the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2766405"],"_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-699d397c6d5ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2766405' first='Jayden' last='Taylor'] consistently broke up plays with his anticipation on the defensive end, reading passing lanes and rotating early to disrupt actions before they could fully develop. On the glass, he either neutralized possessions or extended them with strong rebounding, securing the ball cleanly as he prevented or produced second-chance shot opportunities.</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":"Makhi Gipson","_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":"5'10u0022","_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":"Azle","_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-699d397c6d692"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Makhi Gipson saw plays ahead of time, which led to hockey assists and secondary creation simply from the way he drew attention and shifted the defense. A true team-first player, Gipson executed multiple off-ball actions to free teammates and keep others involved. He battled until the final stretch, turning momentum runs in his team's favor while racking up fouls with physical and-1 finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->