Tune Ups Unexpected Standouts at Gold Crown

One of the best parts about getting out to our events is finding players you weren't expecting to spend much time writing about who catch your attention. Sometimes it's a kid you've never seen before. Sometimes it's someone you've only caught in small stretches who suddenly puts together a complete weekend. That's what this group did. Every one of these players gave me another reason to circle their name, and by the time the event wrapped up, they had worked their way onto the radar. They're far from finished products, but the flashes were there, and they're exactly the kind of prospects I'll make an effort to see again.     Simpson was one of my favorite discoveries from the weekend. The more I watched him, the more I appreciated how he controlled every game and possession. He kept the ball on a string, dictated tempo, and consistently made the right read. The behind-the-neck wraparound dime was probably the pass of the event for me personally, as he was very unselfish and a true PH, but his shot-making impressed me just as much. He finished through length, converted tough and-one opportunities in multiple games, and capped the weekend with a buzzer-beating three against a very talented Hard2Guard squad. He wasn't in the rankings last update, but after this performance, he's firmly in the conversation.     McGonigle is on a talented Magic squad that needs perimeter scoring and he fills in when he has to. He's constantly moving and   understands spacing as well as any shooter I watched on Day 1. He never stood still, constantly relocating after making a play, and although they have a ton of scorers around him was making himself available as soon as the defense lost track of him. His release is clean, he's confident letting it fly, and [program_tooltip program_id='2955433' first='Colorado' last='Collective'] found that out the hard way when he buried multiple 3-pointers to get Magic back in the game and within striking distance. Shooters who move this well and consistently knock it down are always worth tracking, and Liam definitely earned another look this weekend as a player who could surely help Regis this season. Solid performances from him.     Sartin is one of those forwards who quietly impacts the game. In the games that we watched of him he was carving out deep position by posting and sealing, flashing middle, and finding soft spots around the rim. He also consistently came up with loose balls and second-chance opportunities for his team that stood out. What caught my eye was that he wasn't limited to the paint. He stepped out and knocked down perimeter shots with a smooth stroke that suggests there's more offensive versatility coming and that he's been working on that part of his game. As his motor continues to run hotter for longer stretches, there's a lot to like about where his game is headed. He's a new name to keep an eye on.     Robison flashed some intriguing tools throughout the weekend and had his moments. The left-handed wing has good size, covers ground with ease, and does a nice job timing his cuts to become an easy target around the basket. Teammates occasionally found him and finished. He attacked gaps, finished through contact, and got some tough buckets. He also used his athleticism to grab rebounds and start the break, and that is what I really like. He could surely be a solid two-way option if he focuses on that end of the floor with his size, strength, and athleticism. As he begins playing with consistent urgency every possession, his impact could take another jump. He's definitely a name I'll continue following, as I liked what I saw from him. Very high ceiling on him.     Vigil is a winner as all he did was make big plays all weekend. He doesn't have to be the best player out on the floor, but he knows how to maximize everything while he's on the floor. He also impacts that game in every way. And they don't always show up in the boxscore. He was knocking down mid-range and 3's, and he never hesitated when his number was called. The floor opens up when he's hunting shots because defenders have to honor his range. He also knocked down 3-big free throws that sealed a big win. He's a connector and catalyst for the Valley, and I walked away thinking he should be even more aggressive looking for his offense with how he's able to continue making his mark. He's an interesting player to follow, and I hope he reads this and claims a profile so I can follow him this HS season.

One of the best parts about getting out to our events is finding players you weren't expecting to spend much time writing about who catch your attention. Sometimes it's a kid you've never seen before. Sometimes it's someone you've only caught in small stretches who suddenly puts together a complete weekend. That's what this group did. Every one of these players gave me another reason to circle their name, and by the time the event wrapped up, they had worked their way onto the radar. They're far from finished products, but the flashes were there, and they're exactly the kind of prospects I'll make an effort to see again.