THE CLOSER: 17 U Saturday Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops covered the 2026 marquee event THE CLOSER at Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill in Hamilton, OH. Today, we will look at the 17 U guard standouts from this past Saturday that shined during the two day event in Cincinnati!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2415476"],"_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-6a220c97ce4df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stava is a muscular and strong combo guard who offers a lot of upside as a rising senior. He's a really smart player who attacks the basket with authority and converts excellent through contact! Really high motor! Teegan Stava is an exceptionally fast guard who is outstanding at rebounding and running in transition looking to score. He displayed a very high basketball IQ and ability to make the right plays even when under pressure from the defense. I'm really high on the rising senior's upside with his combination of size and skills!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3556155"],"_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-6a221dd35b4a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A confident and skilled combo guard who has a really high ceiling as a rising senior! [player_tooltip player_id='3556155' first='Dalan' last='Vaughn Jr'] is a gritty and tough point guard who can attack the defense in multiple ways. Vaughn Jr. has a very quick first step that helps him get down hill to the rim quickly converting inside shots. I really like this guard's high motor and high emotions that he plays the game with. He knows he's great and isn't afraid of any defensive pressure he faces! A capable three-point shooter who get his shot off well with a high release point due to his height. Dalan is also a quality pressure defender who sits in a stance and applies constant pressure to his opponent. There are a lot of great attributes and skills that Vaughn Jr. brings to his Ohio Ace Elite 17U team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3661162,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Dalan-Vaughn-Jr.-6-2-PG-2027-Ohio-Ace-Elite-17U-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1780618201.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Dalan-Vaughn-Jr.-6-2-PG-2027-Ohio-Ace-Elite-17U-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1780618201.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3661162" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2539856"],"_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-6a221dd35b519"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter is a very strong and skilled point guard who loves to attack the basket and draw fouls! Carter Hartfield is a quick burst point guard who plays with a fiery attitude and competitiveness that comes instilled in him! I loved his leadership that he displayed on the court and the connection that he has with his teammates. A huge competitor and very skilled big-time gamer who makes big and timely baskets for his team! Hartfield is the person you want bringing the ball up the floor and being the leader for your team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3509086"],"_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-6a221dd35b569"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Getting another chance to see Stanton play and compete on the floor just continues to reconfirm my high opinion of him. Cole Stanton is a the type of point guard that can flat out take over the game offensively! He once again showed this past weekend that he is elite at attacking the basket and converting difficult layups. Stanton is also a huge competitor who loves to take and make difficult shots from deep look easy. Whether it was on a midrange pull-up or attacking the rim for two, Cole was in his complete comfort zone displaying his all-around compete game during THE CLOSER event for Kentucky Defenders 17U! I've loved covering this player and really believe this rising senior is geared to compete at a high level in college!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3561740"],"_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-6a221dd35b5b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was a fan of what I saw out of Blake Stevens this past weekend at THE CLOSER. Blake had a solid showing shooting the ball and finishing through contact at the rim. Stevens can effect winning in multiple ways for your team each game. He is a tough driver and finisher in the paint while also displaying his ability to get his feet planted and convert deep three-pointers when given the space to shoot! Really effective at converting against tough defense in transition. There were a whole lot of things to like about how Blake played this past weekend for his Kentucky Defenders 17U squad!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2864759"],"_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-6a221dd35b601"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Need a gritty guard who will flat out do what it takes to win? Look no further than Enoch Tsekpo! Enoch is a well-rounded combo guard who is willing to make all the tough plays to win games for his team. The highlight of the weekend for this senior was converting the game-winning layup for AAA Academy in their close win during the final game Saturday night! Love his high competitiveness and motor that he demonstrates on both ends of the floor. Enoch Tsekpo was the pure definition of intensity and clutch for his Canadian basketball club who picked up a great win Saturday night!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2856338"],"_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-6a221dd35b64b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2856338' first='Xander' last='Smith'] is the fearlessly competitive point guard for Grassroots Elite 17U who elevates the play of everyone around him on the basketball court! He plays with a low center of gravity and uses his speed and quick burst to penetrate the defense and convert at the rim. I love that Smith invites the best opposing team's player to guard him! He is truly relentless at finishing all types of shots in the paint. You can't foul him either because he is stellar at converting at the line. An electric ball handler who isn't afraid to take and make the winning shot. I really enjoyed watching and evaluating [player_tooltip player_id='2856338' first='Xander' last='Smith'] this past weekend at THE CLOSER!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3661191,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Xander-Smith-6-1-PG-2027-Grassroots-Elite-17U-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1780620563.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Xander-Smith-6-1-PG-2027-Grassroots-Elite-17U-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1780620563.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3661191" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->