Fall League Whip-Around (9/17-19): Seven Standouts

I caught a full slate of Central fall league games on September 19, plus one game between Gilbert and Mountain View, Mesa on September 17. There was real talent on display across a lot of different schools. This is a rundown of the seven players that stood out to me.    Operated in more of a passing role this time out, with defenses collapsing on him, but was able to read it well and still scored at will. Did most of his damage from the midrange, mixing in step-backs and fadeaways with a pure release. Got into the paint to either finish it himself or kick out to the perimeter, and was able to work his way to the midrange and still scan to flick it out to a teammate. Took it baseline as well, where he could either rise into the step-back or post up and zip it out to the open man.     All over the court on both sides of the ball. A ball-hawk on the perimeter, turning steals into coast-to-coast chances and playing with active hands to poke it loose or get a piece of it in the passing lane. Has a clean looking shot from the midrange, though most of his scoring came on drives into the paint. Works the glass too, fighting for offensive boards and tipping them back out to teammates.     Has the frame to operate from beyond the arc and in the post. Clean shooting stroke from three, knocking down open looks consistently when he got them. Vocal in the post as well, calling for it when he has the advantage and using good footwork and step-through moves to get easy layups, or quick turns with his back to the basket to get a step on his man and lay it in. Plays efficiently within the flow of the offense.     A physical presence who can body people up in the paint. Uses his strength to overpower defenders on the way to the basket, and if he misses he will get his own board and finish the put-back. Fights inside for defensive rebounds as hard as anyone on the floor. Also showed a feel for creating rather than just bullying his way in, using a ball fake to set up his own drive to the rim. The strength and the motor were the story.     Big body who moves well in the halfcourt and in transition and can really elevate. Takes full advantage of his size, scoring on post-ups, rolls to the rim and put-backs off his own miss. Has a good looking shot from beyond the arc as well, hitting off the catch and pulling up off the dribble. Active defensively too, turning steals into layups going the other way.     Uses quick bursts to get downhill in a flash and attacks the basket on fluid strides, working around screens and getting to the rim in a hurry. Real athleticism in transition, pushing the pace himself off the defensive board and taking it coast to coast. Was active on the other end in transition too, coming up with a block on the fast break. A ton of bounce, and a guy who was flying all over the court and playing with purpose.     Active hands throughout the entirety of the game, constantly working to disrupt and create havoc on the ball in the halfcourt using his long wingspan to his advantage. Even in transition defense, threw his hands up high to tip or bat down the ball on multiple occasions to either slow down or stop the break. Showed he was more than just an offensive threat.

I caught a full slate of Central fall league games on September 19, plus one game between Gilbert and Mountain View, Mesa on September 17. There was real talent on display across a lot of different schools. This is a rundown of the seven players that stood out to me.