Which Guards Ran the Show at the Palmetto State Showcase?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Big Shots Palmetto State Showcase served as my first in-person event of the season and offered an early opportunity to get eyes on a talented group of guards from across the state. However, these six guards separated themselves with the way they controlled the action, made winning plays, and consistently impacted the game on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3582732"],"_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-69d40ab36f3c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3582732' first='Cole' last='Rambo'] leads off the list of Guards Who Ran the Show at the Palmetto State Showcase. I got to watch [program_tooltip program_id='2842739' first='843' last='Tough'] in both of their games this weekend, and Rambo put up 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals between the two games. The second game was his best overall game, as he showcased an ability to hit outside shots, play off closeouts, and work the glass on both ends of the floor. Cole has a non-traditional release, but he is a solid shooter with deep range. He's also got a strong frame for his age, which could translate to continued success throughout the AAU season and beyond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3582733"],"_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-69d40ab36f472"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Saturday's second [program_tooltip program_id='2842739' first='843' last='Tough'] standout, Hayden, was one of the best 2029 shooters in the gym. Thorn hit two threes in their first matchup with SC Premier, then followed it up with five threes in an overtime win over the Blue Jays. He was the primary target on many BLOB sets, and a couple of them were successful in getting Thorn an open look. Hayden was also effective at hitting outside shots straight off the catch or off one to two dribbles, plus he showed some other sides of his game with some intelligent cutting and a solid handle to attack a closeout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3582759"],"_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-69d40ab36f4d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true, pass-first Point Guard who ran the show on Saturday is [player_tooltip player_id='3582759' first='Juan' last='Forero']. I caught up with Juan and Gym Ratz Premier in my final game of the day - a convincing win over Team SPE. He may be a small guard, but Forero plays super hard and is a really good passer. He has active hands both on and off the ball on the defensive end, which helps him make plays and negate the lack of size. On the offensive end, he looks to get others shots before he finds his own as he attacks in transition or in the halfcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2877225"],"_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":3582779,"_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-69d40ab36f546"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the few out-of-state prospects who took the floor at the Big Shots Palmetto State Showcase was McIntyre, who attends Scotland Christian Academy, which is less than five miles from the South Carolina border. Frankie is off to an excellent start this spring, and he was back on top of his game in Columbia. He controlled the game with his defensive efforts, making life difficult at the top of a defensive pressure with active and athletic movements. He can also create paint touches and finish at the rim on the offensive end. McIntyre finished with 12 points and 5 steals in a game one win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2920277"],"_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-69d40ab36f59e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There were several ups and downs through the day for Hoist and [program_tooltip program_id='3583115' first='Team' last='Ford'], but when he was at his best, he was impossible to stop. His positional size was a matchup nightmare for opponents because he could simply drive and finish through the contact at will. Idreyiss went for 22 points and 5 assists in game one, also adding a pull-up three and a few exceptional passes to his package of strong finishes. If Hoist can clean up his decision-making and continue to be engaged defensively, he is certainly one of the best guards in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2384556"],"_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-69d40ab36f5fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Charleston-area guard rounds out the list. Jahleel runs with [program_tooltip program_id='2231960' first='Big' last='Shots SC'] Premier, but despite the loaded backcourt, he definitely ran the show for stretches at the Palmetto State Showcase. Sanders is a balanced offensive weapon, capable of spacing the floor with outside shooting, turning the corner and getting to the rim, or making reads to set up teammates. Jahleel is also a defensive playmaker who gets in passing lanes and helps clean the glass. He finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in a big game one win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->