DMV Hoop Madness: Paint Warriors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I drove out to Spalding this past Sunday to catch up some high level bump between local HS and prep teams with a few out-of-town groups testing their mettle against local squads as we gear up for another season. The event was a great opportunity to see some fun cross matchups between the local leagues that we don't usually get to see during the season. In this article, we'll look into the prospects who did a great job of generating paint touches throughout the afternoon for their team as that movement is the key to most modern offenses. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2962366"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd7298c4eec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-I thought that the rising senior did a great job of picking his spots offensively to impact the game with a well-rounded and efficient stat sheet. Mensah attacked closeouts to knock down 1 or 2-dribble jumpers from the elbows, chipped in on the glass, and did a good job of keeping the ball moving vocally even when he did not have the rock in his hands. He is seeing both passing and scoring options open up for him as he steps into his senior season as a guy that his team will lean on at the offensive end much more heavily with the graduation of several key cogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2369981"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd7298c4f53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Really loved his pace in both the halfcourt and in transition as a dynamic slashing guard that willed his way to the rim whether he was matched up with a bigger wing to contest his shots or a smaller guard to slow his drives to the rim. McCullough did a good job on his pre-catch reads to attack open gaps in the defense without forcing up bad shots or turning the ball over in traffic. His dribble pace compliments his shiftiness off the bounce so well to allow him to dart through gaps in the defense to score the basketball from all 3 levels. McCullough should give the Lions an excellent change of pace guard to maintain their advantage in the backcourt as the gameplan will continue to be decided by the guards that set the pace for their team both at the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3669306"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd7298c4f9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Things are coming together nicely for the rising sophomore in new threads with Potomac as the game has slowed down for him at the offensive end of the floor while he has ramped up his ball pressure at the opposite end. Brandon forced at least 4 TOs in their second game of the day by anticipating changes of direction effectively--without fouling-- to force turnovers that really disrupted the flow of offense for his opponent. His quickness was also effective at the offensive end of the floor to duck under closeouts to hit a pull-up jumper from the midrange or drive the extra two steps to finish at the rim. Brandon is starting to not only see but execute on point guard reads in side ball screens to effectively manipulate help defenders with his eyes before delivering a nice pass that was both on-time and on-target. He'll need to contribute in double figures at the offensive end to balance the floor effectively for a Potomac group that added in a few impact transfers this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3676205"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd7298c4fe4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Riley's confidence continues to grow with each viewing as a skilled guard that can knock down open jumpers off the catch or probe the defense on second-side swings. Riley is mixing in ball fakes to create more space on the wings, is utilizing his pivot much more effectively in the paint to kick out to his shooters when he gets an offensive rebound in the paint, and projects to guard multiple backcourt spots as he continues to develop in a nice role for the Saints. If he can prove to be an effective floor-spacer at the offensive end and take on versatile defensive assignments, I think he can carve out a pretty big role with this group this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2889359"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd7298c5029"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Pound for pound one of the best rebounders in the area, Eze has a great nose for where the ball is coming off the rim and has improved his off hand finishing ability to be a much more well-rounded threat to score in the paint. Eze has a knack for leaping into the fray to jump between two opponents to come up with O boards and uses that same timing to score off of putbacks in transition. The handle and body have both improved to make him more of a slashing threat on his perimeter catches. Excited to see how his senior season plays out in Annapolis!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->