CHSL Final Four: Flashy Guard Prospects

New readers: Use code Fourth50     I pulled up to DeMatha Catholic to check out some summer league action in a single-elimination bracket second playoff round of basketball. I got to see teams from all 3 states in the DMV compete with their HS group fresh off of scholastic live period competition, which was a quick turnaround for several of the teams. Let's dive into the top guard prospects that I wowed the crowds this week!      20p 6a 1a 1s vs Good Counsel   -McKenzie stood out as the engine of a scrappy Takoma team that put together a great regular and postseason summer league run. McKenzie usually stands out because of the ease and diversity of his scoring as a guard prospect that can really fill it up from all 3 levels. But in a semifinal matchup with a WCAC team he showed the full arsenal of play-making ability in ball screens, from the short corner over the top of double teams, crosscourt dimes before the screen arrived, drive-n-kicks, and several crisp outlet passes-- loved his vision as an unselfish passer looking to create easy looks for his teammates. McKenzie scored off a spin move lay off the window, hit several 3s off the catch and off the bounce, hit touch shots in the paint, and knocked down a long 2 off a pull-up at the top of the key.     10p 9a vs Takoma ; 15p 6a 4r vs Bullis   -Bodiford was dynamite off the bench for GC as a dynamic play-maker in the halfcourt that reads the floor incredibly well for his team. Bodiford started things off with a beautiful crosscourt dime to a big on the opposite block from the logo, drove uphill from the baseline to the elbow and hit a corner cutter for the lay, took a rebound C2C before he finished with an up fake hesi layup off the window, threw a one-handed dime to the baseline jump shooter from just across halfcourt, and scored off a blur of a drive from wing to rim to score through the contact. His ability to read the helper and make plays off a live dribble should make him a valuable young floor general for an extremely scrappy Good Counsel group.     14p 4r 4a 1b vs DeMatha   -McLinton seems to be turning the corner as a lightning-fast guard prospect in the open floor. McLinton pushed the pace in transition and has improved his handle to weave through traffic in transition to score through contact at the basket. Once he gains a step on his matchup he keeps the advantage with his defender on his hip to score or create in the paint. If he can sharpen his handle to deliver on the passing reads in tight windows in the halfcourt and continues to probe the defense while remaining efficient with his dribble-- he has a chance to prove capable of lead guard responsibilities.     12p 1r 2a 2s 1b vs DeMatha; 14p 1r 1a 4s vs GC   -Came away impressed with the improved handle and play-making vision from Sauritch this week as a big guard that uses his shooting gravity to attack closeouts as a slashing facilitator in the halfcourt. His pivot moves and body control have improved to make him both an effective shooter and passer in traffic in the paint or at the top of the key for the Bulldogs. Love the moxie that he plays with at the defensive end of the floor--especially after a miss at the offensive end-- but he will have to improve his lateral quickness and footspeed to take on guards with a full head of steam in transition. He makes up for it with his strength and IQ to chest up with bigs in the paint when they have the ball to force some tough misses from vulnerable spots in the defense. Excited to see him compete in a different setting with Durant next week during EYBL Vegas.     13p 4r vs DeMatha; 15p 2r 4a 1s vs Good Counsel   -Nelson continues to prove his value as a smooth operating point guard prospect capable of creating his own shot without a ball screen at all 3 levels of the defense. Nelson knocked down a side step three from the wing, snaked a ball screen to hit an elbow jumper, snagged several offensive rebounds to drive straight at the rim and hit a floater before the defense could react, and pushed the pace well in transition to hit ahead to the wings to collect hockey assists as the Bulldogs shared the rock to score in the key. If he can add some muscle to not only absorb but dish out more contact on his drives to the rim, it should open up more high-efficiency scoring options at the rim and at the FT line as a 2028 point guard with both a nice floor and long-term upside.

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