The Scoring Guards of Spooky Nook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best guard play in the country was in the building at Made Hoops' Midwest Mania this past weekend. Here's a look at a few guards who scored the ball at a high level:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2949420"],"_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-69ddd3c011acc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was genuinely surprised to learn that Colten is only a freshman after watching him play up in the 16U division with KBC East this past weekend. Colten was the best guard on the court in his squad's first game of the event. In hindsight, it's possible that his productivity was weighed down by his responsibilities in this particular contest. Colten got downhill often and was decisive in doing so. He also had no problem facilitating the offense regardless of if it called for finding open teammates or making plays himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2965783"],"_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-69ddd3c011b3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you've read any of my evaluations thus far, then you know I'm a big fan of Dario and for good reason. In today's game, he is the definition of a point guard in terms of production. He knows his team's offensive scheme and makes it his mission to execute it by setting his teammates up for success. Only then does Dario choose his spots and score the ball as needed. He did just that in Ambition 16U's first matchup of the weekend during which he prioritized facilitation yet proved his worth as a bucket getter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2360951"],"_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-69ddd3c011b85"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The term "underrated" has to be taken with a grain of salt when speaking of Kentucky's 2028 class given its depth. It's hard to not utter it, however, when speaking of Conner. 1-on-1, he's one of the best scoring guards in the state regardless of class. Running with a really good WV Gold 16U squad, he gave a preview of his potential this past weekend. He attacked the rim with force in his team's first game and found success while doing so. Known for his outside shooting, Conner's ability to finish through contact around the rim continues to evolve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2434729"],"_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-69ddd3c011bc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arden did a lot of everything in STARS UAA 15U's final matchup of the weekend. Of all the athletes in the contest, he arguably showed the most heart through his relentless effort. He connected on outside shots, made plays by finding open teammates, and frequently attacked the rim with a purpose. Arden strung together crafty dribble combinations to get to the rim and finish through contact on several occasions. I didn't get to see as much of it as I would've liked, but his smooth southpaw shooting mechanics are also worth noting.</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":"BJ Williams Jr.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Quality Sports CC","_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-69ddd3c011c6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">BJ's first matchup of the event was also my own, meaning that he helped set the stage for a great weekend of hoops. His poise stood out first as he fulfilled his lead guard responsibility of running the offense. His ability to knock down shots when needed, however, made a lasting impression. Whether it was corner shots from beyond the arc, pull-up jumpers in the midrange, or coast-to-coast layups, BJ proved to be valuable to his team's success down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->