WCAC Quarterfinals: Standout underclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAC playoffs continued this weekend with the quarterfinals taking place throughout the day on Saturday at Gallaudet. Keep reading for a look at some underclassmen who stood out over the course of the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3516639"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3516641,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-699d28f16fc88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You'd be hard-pressed to identify Higginbotham as a freshman while he was in the midst of making big play after big play down the stretch of a raucous four-overtime game that ended in a buzzer-beating loss. The precocious southpaw spent much of the game as the Eagles' primary ballhandler, handling O'Connell's pressure with poise beyond his years. He refused to be sped up and was effective getting to his spots off the bounce, finishing with signs of high-level touch from each part of the floor. Higginbotham would finish with 19 points as the only freshman to make significant contributions over the course of the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524418"],"_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-699d28f16fcef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Also making a handful of clutch plays throughout Gonzaga's 4OT thriller, Waheed came off the bench and showed significant upside in the heartbreaking loss. A slender wing with good positional size, he was at his best as an off-ball floor spacer, knocking down 3 of 8 attempts from the arc with a quick and confident release within the halfcourt flow. Waheed had no fear in the big environment, finishing with 12 points after a scoreless first half. He played with consistent energy, using his length and fluidity to make plays in the floor game, with intriguing flashes of ability with the ball in his hands as he learns to refine his decisionmaking process. With a strong foundation and bloodlines in his favor, Waheed appears to just be getting started in establishing himself as a high-level prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2916390"],"_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-699d28f16fd36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Just as he has for the better part of the entire season for the nationally-ranked Panthers, Bahr impressed with his innate ability to impact the game and stuff the stat sheet without needing to score or have his number called. Bahr scored just 2 points in PVI's win but had fingerprints all over the game, reflected in the box score with 7 rebounds and 5 assists to go with a pair of steals and blocks. The high-IQ complementary wing was effective making decisions as a release valve against the McNamara press and even showed flashes operating as a primary ballhandler in the halfcourt. He also shows great hands as an instinctive playmaker on the defensive end. A high-level baseball recruit, Bahr is continuing to establish his value on the hardwood as an underclassman starter and key contributor on one of the nation's best teams.,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194753"],"_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-699d28f16fd7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite fouling out in the fourth quarter before the rollicking overtime festivities, Mbuyamba put together a double-double performance to help lead the Eagles. Fresh off being recognized as the only underclassman on All-WCAC First Team, the southpaw put in a workmanlike effort to the tune of 10 points and 11 rebounds. He was effective setting up shop on the block but also showed the ability to create his own opportunities with relentless effort and strong hands on the offensive glass. Mbuyamba also flashed his growing repertoire as a ballhandler and facilitator out of DHO or short roll actions. There remain questions to be answered on the defensive end but his heady, blue-collar approach and wide-ranging offensive skillset should give him a chance to be recruited at a high level in due time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2763815"],"_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-699d28f16fdba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing an important complementary role, Mostashari was on the floor for some huge moments throughout O'Connell's 4OT thriller. The lefty complementary guard thrived as a floor-spacer, showing polished footwork and a confident release off the catch to knock down a trio of 3s for his 9 points. Mostashari also stood out with his vocal leadership and toughness in the floor game. We'll be curious to see what more there is to his on-ball game but his ability to thrive in a condensed role was both impressive and invaluable toward the O'Connell win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->