Great Lakes Finals: Opening Day Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night was the first of 3 days of the always competitive Prep Hoops Great Lakes Finals. Every game is at stake as the weekend is a fully bracketed tournament. I was in Bedford Park at the Wintrust Sports Complex to take in a few games for the 17U and 16U divisions. Here we will take a look at some of the first night's standouts who made big impacts for their teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3594675"],"_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-6a1145a68054b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Physical big man who bought strong energy and toughness around the basket. An interior anchor that endures physicality of the game. Finished in multiple ways in the paint for transition scores, put backs, and a big and 1 off an O board. Got on the glass in a big way to create extra possessions and drawing fouls with high activity level. Will set ball screens and then roll to create space to the rim. Defensively impacted drivers to force challenging shots with size and presence. Provides valuable attributes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2750002"],"_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-6a1145a680602"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lefty combo guard that will fit into a 1 or 2 slot at the next level. Brings ball handling and shot making versatility on the offensive end. Tallied him for 4 3's at an efficient mark. Went off the bounce attacking to the cup consistently as well. Initiates contact to draw fouls and get to the stripe. Utilizes ball screens in the ½ court setting to see the floor and make impactful plays. Smooth and poised on the handle. Comfortably dribbling vs trap situations while making smart decisions. Led team high with 24 to gut out a back and forth battle on day 1 of the weekend.</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":"Samuel Carter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Homewood-Flossmor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] ","_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-6a1145a680716"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A high energy guard that impacts the game on both ends with his aggressiveness and effort. Defensively provides a spark to pressure on the ball and get in the passing lanes which turn into fast break opportunities. Forced a five second call on one possession and contributed to other turnovers throughout. On the other end he can score it in a variety of ways. Works well in transition, has a floater touch, makes movements off the ball to open space, and made a big clutch 3 late in the game to give team a chance. Overall liked his demeanor throughout and scored a game high 25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2822689"],"_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-6a1145a68079a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A competitive floor facilitator who consistently provided quality looks for teammates throughout first game of weekend on Friday night. Delivered multiple sharp passes for assists on back doors, blob actions, cutters, or pitch aheads to beat defense down the floor. Set others up for scoring success with vision and patience. Has a smooth handle always lookup up and seeing what options there are. Showed some ability to finish himself slicing through the defense and converting at the rim. Liked his ability to create off the bounce as a true lead point at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560343"],"_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-6a1145a680810"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile swing man who operates with a high motor. Can impact as a 3 or 4 with speed and length in multiple areas. Gets on the glass on both sides and meets the competition physically on the interior. Showed strong feel within two-man game action as both a screener and passer. Will make kick out, swing, or skip passes to orchestrate solid offensive possessions. Defensively helps create turnovers while utilizing length to advantage while staying in sound position. Overall like the upside and competed to help team gut out first win of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2750008"],"_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-6a1145a680883"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Had a quiet first half and then really got going into his shot in rhythm during the second frame. Displayed a polished mid-range game and strong shot making ability from 8-12 feet. Got to his spots off the bounce to pull up and splash at a high clip. Has plus rise on jumper which stood out and especially how confident and repeatable it looked on the release. Was a spacing threat to hit a couple shots as well beyond the arc. Helped team swing momentum during a good run to expand lead and win first game of weekend play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->