Firecracker Classic – Ramsey’s Saturday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For us at Prep Hoops Indiana there is no more fitting way to celebrate the Fourth of July and America's 250th birthday than with a day in the gym. We covered two different events on Saturday. Our day started at Finch Creek Fieldhouse in Noblesville for the Firecracker Classic. Here are some of the top individual performers that we had the chance to see on Saturday.</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":["3142197"],"_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-6a497c5f24088"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Throughout the month of June we saw this 6'4" wing play a big role for the Fishers Tigers who will likely enter the season as the #1 ranked team in the state. Baker shot it well from three-point range on Saturday and showed off his athleticism as a finisher at the rim. His well-rounded offensive game will provide an extra pop for Fishers aside from their two star guards. Playing with Always Grind Never Settle 17u, Baker is a solid under-the-radar rising senior to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2538870"],"_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-6a497c5f240bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You can always count on Bowling III finding a way to put the ball in the basket. He has a very unique game in terms of his ability to finish so consistently with his left-handed despite shooting right handed. Bowling III is a long, lean 6'5" with very impressive athleticism at the end of his drives. He has the ability to rise up and play well above the rim while his ambidextrous finishing ability allows him to get very creative. As he continues to shoot it better you could see his game take another leap, but he is already so consistently productive. The rising junior at Anderson High School was a big part of UNRNKD 16u's success on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382152"],"_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-6a497c5f240df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This 5'8" point guard relentlessly attacked the basket on Saturday and generally found success when he got a piece of the paint. Whether he was showing off his athletic finishing ability against opposing size or finding an open teammate for a kick out, Johnson was highly productive with the ball in his hands for [program_tooltip program_id='3559625' first='Indiana' last='Elite Team Crossroads'] 16u. His transfer from New Albany to Charlestown should allow him to take on a major role in the backcourt as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2420149"],"_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-6a497c5f240fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have been very impressed with Reed all summer long. He was a major impact guy for Ben Davis in June and continues to prove himself now in July playing with UNRNKD 16u this weekend at the Firecracker Classic. The 6'6" left-handed forward is extremely physical, is tough to stop off of the dribble, and even knocked down a three-point in the first game on Saturday morning. His two-way versatility makes him a very intriguing prospect in the rising junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2958770"],"_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-6a497c5f2411a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We feel really good about moving this high-upside prospect into our Prep Hoops Indiana Class of 2028 Top 50 prior to this summer. If anything, Smith Jr. has proven himself as a stock-riser once again. Now standing closer to 6'6", the athletic wing had an excellent day for UNRNKD 16u on Saturday. He scored 14 points and 17 points respectively including knocking down some smooth perimeter jump shots. Smith Jr.'s offensively versatile, paired with his size and athleticism, makes him a very intriguing prospect to follow in the rising junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470635"],"_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-6a497509c3e06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walker continues to prove himself each time out as one of this summer's top stock-risers. The 6'4" wing from Fishers High School is shooting the ball at a high-level from three-point range while also utilizing his positional size, athleticism, and strength off of the bounce. He led Indiana Basketball Club 17u to an overtime, comeback victory on Saturday morning leading all scorers with 20 points including four three-point shots. Division I programs should start to evaluate him closely during the two July live periods.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2907635"],"_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-6a497c5f24146"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A transfer from Pike to Brownsburg for his senior season, Washington is the pace-setter for Indiana Basketball Club 17u. The 5'10" point guard is extremely quick end-to-end and is very difficult to keep out of the paint. He was excellent down the stretch to help mount a comeback and ultimately pull out the victory on Saturday morning. His ability to attack the basket consistently, finish at the end of his drives, and find open teammates makes him a very intriguing playmaker to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->