PH Midwest Showdown: Max’s Day 2 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on Saturday in Appleton at the Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832087"],"_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-69d28c8cde245"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2832087' first='Ladarius' last='Finkley'] had a monster performance on Saturday afternoon in a win for the Wisconsin Rockets. In the first half he was all over the place making plays on the defensive end, coming up with steals in bunches. He's lightning quick moving laterally, and was relentless with his ball pressure. In the second half he showcased his offensive game, catching fire from beyond the arc. With each shot he saw fall, he increased his range even further, until his was draining threes from well beyond NBA range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3581677"],"_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-69d28c8cde2f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lemar was another player who stood out on the defensive end on Saturday. Even in an early 9am game, the Minneapolis guard was bringing a ton of energy to the gym. He was applying constant ball pressure, and showed good instincts to jump passes and get out for easy transition buckets. Throughout the game he probably had 7 or 8 steals, with many of those leading to transition buckets for [program_tooltip program_id='2075425' first='CRCTB' last='']. His play was key in the win over [program_tooltip program_id='2347629' first='Wisconsin' last='PHD'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2371709"],"_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-69d28c8cde382"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a game that went down to the wire against [program_tooltip program_id='2506415' first='Elite' last='Legacy'], a big performance from Mikey helped his team come away with a win. When you're defending Mikey, you can't afford to switch off for a second. He's so good at moving without the ball, and if you look away, Mikey is going to relocate and find space to catch and shoot. White showed a quick release from three, and was draining shots off the catch or dribble all game long. His quickness also translated to the defensive end, where he came up with a few steals throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2390672"],"_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-69d28c8cde404"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cazell appears to have taken a nice step forward since I saw him last year. He looks much more confident as a shooter, making him a major threat offensively. He's always had the quickness and handle to beat defenders off the dribble, and now as a much bigger shooting threat, defenders have to choose between slowing him down as a driver or shooter. Throughout the 8am game Cazell drained a number of threes, flashed a mid-range game, and also got into the lane to create for his teammates. He helped lead his team to a 4-0 record over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1900422"],"_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-69d28c8cde48c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Donovan is fresh off of a breakout junior season at Tosa East, and looks to be continuing that run of play into the spring with [program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions']. We've seen him have big scoring games, but on Saturday he impressed as a facilitator. He made quick decisions with the ball, didn't over dribble, and found ways to get into the lane and force the defense to collapse on him. When he wasn't setting up his teammates with quality looks, Donovan showcased impressive body control as a finisher that allowed him to get to the rim and score over size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2740246"],"_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-69d28c8cde50d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bennie adds to a depth of talented young guards coming up at Brookfield East. He impressed on Saturday with [program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] as a creative ball handler who could create shots on his own or for his teammates. Bennie was excellent out in transition as his decision making and the timing on his passes were spot on. If a teammate was open, Garcia was going to find them with an accurate pass that increased their chances of scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2860474"],"_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-69d28c8cde590"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Corbin had some nice moments in a close win for [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite']. Even while playing up at the 17u level, Corbin's physicality at 6'5 stood out. He was rebounding in bulk, and secured a rebound late in the game that sealed the win for his team. Corbin does a nice job of providing a target for dump-off passes when his guards got into the lane, and from there could step through and score through contact. Corbin was a 9.4 point per game scorer for Hermantown this past season and really found his stride late in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->