Peach Jam: Tuesday 17 U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peach Jam tipped off on Tuesday with the best of the best from the EYBL circuit competing against each other and in this article I'll break down my 17 U standouts from the opening day of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140875"],"_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-6a57028cefee2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Developing into a five star prospect who is near the top of the national rankings, Henry has been on an incredible upward trajectory since the first time I watched him with Cincinnati Withrow in Ohio. Henry has come a long way, both literally and figuratively as he's now found himself dominating for Vegas Elite and set to star for AZ Compass Prep for a second straight season. Maybe the skill Henry has improved the most is his rebounding as his older brother was a top wide receiver prospect in the country, Demarcus has improved his toughness and hands and has become one of the best rebounders for his height in the class. It's rare to see such a gifted perimeter shot maker also take pride in the rebounding aspect of the game but Henry is an exception. After starting the game slow, Henry started to take over in the second half as Vegas Elite pulled away from PSA Cardinals to get a key opening day win to pool play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2436297"],"_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-6a57028ceff3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A talented perimeter shot maker, Harris hit some clutch shots on the perimeter for Vegas Elite from the corner off the catch and off quick one to two dribble pull-up jumpers. Harris plays well off the five-star duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2140587' first='Demarcus' last='Henry'] and Adan Diggs and his floor spacing allows those studs to have the space to operate and shine themselves. Vegas Elite looked like a well oiled machine on Tuesday as they won by 19 points and Harris is a key starter for that group. Expect Harris to make a college decision soon as one lucky program will get a player who can come in right away and score the basketball while playing off of high volume guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2434352"],"_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-6a57028ceff81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bertke had a big game for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] in their victory to open up the PIT on Tuesday. Playing tougher on the interior, Bertke had a couple strong finishes with his left hand off cuts and post-up looks. Bertke is a quick processor as he doesn't let the ball stick to his hands and moves well without the basketball. Bertke's experience as a point guard for his high school program has allowed him to step into a more off ball role for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] but also showcase his ability to pass and scan the floor. In a balanced effort, the Buckets had four players in double-figures and Bertke had some big rebounds late to help secure the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2800799"],"_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-6a57028ceffc3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goran had maybe the best game I've ever seen him play in person on Tuesday as he finished with a team-high 19 points on 8/11 shooting from the field. I loved how well Goran moved without the basketball as he finished 6/6 from inside the arc and that's all thanks to his off-ball movement. A wing guard who can get buckets without the ball in his hands, that skill will translate to the college level and make his coach extremely happy that Goran can free himself up and score without requiring set plays to be ran in his direction. Impressive term performance from the [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] as the EYCL powerhouse got the win over an EYBL squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2915911"],"_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-6a57028cf0002"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taggart had a big game for City Rocks as his perimeter shooting ability helped them grab an early advantage. With a high release point and range that extends beyond the 3-point arc, every shot Taggart takes with his feet set looks like it's going in. Taggart had a monster first half where it looked like nobody could stop his combination of perimeter shooting and strong frame and explosiveness. While Taggart fizzled a bit in the second half, his natural ability suggests he's underrecruited at the moment and should look to add to his mid-major offer list this weekend if he can string together some big performances like the one he had in the first half on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->