The Stage: Gilbert’s 2029 Saturday Superlatives

<p>The Stage, a marquee event of the Prep Hoops Circuit shifted into high gear Saturday in the greater Indianapolis area. I split my day between two gyms. </p>   <p>Following is a completely arbitrary list of superlative performers from Saturday's action.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Clutch Performance </h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3542353' first='Theo' last='Oviedo'] 5-11 Toledo Central Catholic (OH) </strong>(<strong>pictured</strong>) Honestly I could have put Oviedo's second Saturday performance just about anywhere. Shooter, scorer, 33 points is an all encompassing statistic that would fall into multiple categories. However I'm going with “clutch”. Not just because it is his team's name. But his squad needed all of those 33 points to defeat West Michigan's [program_tooltip program_id='3509505' first='Dream' last='Loudly']. </p>   <p>Many of those points came late and he really put his team on his back. The quick lefty scored at all three levels and attacked the basket without fear. Is a fierce and high level competitior. Showed that on Friday night as well. Good ball handler who knows how to get to his spots. Crafty playmaker who did much more than just score. Hands down the best performance I saw on the weekend thus far. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Scorer </h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2442329' first='Ben' last='Varrie'] 6-3 St Joseph's (MI) </strong>The Southwestern Michigan wing had it all working in Michigan Unified's close victory over EG10. Good shooter, but was especially effective on penetration. Quick first step and seemingly got to the basket with ease. Once there sought out contact and showed the ability to finish through contact. Good athlete who elevated with ease and without much of a runway needed. Finished with 28 points and provided another name to monitor in Michigan's ridiculously deep 2029 class. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Big Man </h2>   <p><strong>Evan Tyler 6-5 Beckman Catholic (IA) </strong>From Dyersville Iowa, so I simply can't resist… If you build it they will come. The pun is intentional. Hailing from the town where Field of Dreams was shot, Tyler looks like he was “built” to play in the post. A sturdy and solid frame that is probably pushing 250 pounds. However, no “baby fat” here. Tyler is built like a boulder with broad shoulders and a thick upper body. Also has a wide lower body and base. You are not going to move him off the block when he establishes deep post position. </p>   <p>Wasn't just restricted to the paint though. Good athlete who ran the court well and showed decent mobility. A bit mechanical in the post at this point of his development. However has plenty of time to make improvements here. Showed a soft touch around the basket. I should probably also mention his frontcourt teammate <strong>Braxton</strong> <strong>Webb</strong> (Hempstead) Webb isn't as big (6-3) but showed a similar skillset. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most Versatile </h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3594124' first='Keegan' last='Puckett'] 6-4 Peebles (OH) </strong>As I began to watch Ohio Primetime Basketball Club, Puckett immediately catches your eye. He is a big kid, and has an unorthodox game. So much so that I expected his opponents to speed things and slow him down. As the game advanced, I realized that Puckett's skill level would keep that from happening. </p>   <p>Definition of a “play at your own pace” player. Essentially ran the point for his club. Was patient and waited for plays to develop. Had a nice behind the back pass to a teammate for an open corner three. Also had a high velocity outlet pass that showed his advanced court sense and vision. Hoping to catch more of this player on Sunday.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Long Term Frontcourt </h2>   <p><strong>Ryan Williams 6-9 Detroit Country Day</strong> (<strong>M</strong>I) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3545787' first='Alan' last='Nyambio'] 6-5 Detroit Country Day</strong> (<strong>MI</strong>) They didn't play on the same team Saturday. But they should in the regular season. The Yellowjacket program continues to just pump out young talent. Williams is the slightly more known commodity at the moment. This is due to his eye opening size and spot minutes he earned on a high profile varsity team. He has a ways to go, but you can't coach size. A legitimate 6-9 with a wide and mobile frame, Competes hard and doesn't shy away from contact or competition. Got plenty of it Saturday running with a high profile Michigan Unified squad. As he grows into his body he should be fine. Will need to increase foot speed and his hands to be a complete prospect. </p>   <p>Nyambio won't need to worry about the foot sped part. He is fluid athlete that runs the court well. Has a very long wingspan and used it to collect multiple blocks playing for [program_tooltip program_id='3562948' first='Hoops' last='High']. He will need to improve his offensive skill level. Country Day will graduate some serious talent after this year. If Nyambio and Williams can take the next step developmentally. The Yellowjackets might not miss a beat. </p>   <p></p>

The Stage, a marquee event of the Prep Hoops Circuit shifted into high gear Saturday in the greater Indianapolis area. I split my day between two gyms.