Hoop Mountain Fall Showcase: Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, September 12th, I attended the Hoop Mountain Fall Showcase at Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro, MA. About 120 players were present, with dozens of college and prep school coaches in the gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are seven guards who stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Julian Goodridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Somerville High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa977f064675"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodridge was probably the quickest player in the gym on Saturday and was a joy to watch as an on-ball attacker. The 5-foot-7 guard is certainly undersized, but he has special change-of-pace dribble moves and breezes by defenders before they even know what he tried to do. He's lightning quick with the dribble, but he also has great hops at the rim and a knack for finishing with both hands. The senior can make shots from the perimeter, too. Goodridge should be one of Somerville High School's best players this season and is going to surprise people with his burst off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2569702"],"_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-6aa977f0646ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fortier was awesome on Saturday. The 6-foot guard has gotten stronger in his upper body, and it's paying dividends for him as a driver. He keeps a great line to the rim and has excellent burst off the dribble, but he's also able to effortlessly stop on a dime and pull-up for jumpers in the mid-range. The reigning state champ at St. Mary's also has improved his passing ability and looks more ready than ever to lead his team this coming season. Fortier is a definite college player and will be a strong reclass candidate for local prep school coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2634189"],"_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-6aa977f06474d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cassamajor was one of the most physically-imposing guards in the gym. The 6-foot guard has incredible strength and makes defenders bounce off of him on drives to the rim. On Saturday, though, he also hit shots from the perimeter at a higher clip than I've seen in the past and more confidently got into his spots in the mid-range for pull ups. The defensive effort is always there, too, and his strength and toughness allows him to guard multiple positions. Cassamajor will play a significant role for Brooks this season and should receive D3 interest as a result.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Giulian Mariano","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dover-Sherborn High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa977f064800"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mariano is a seasoned hooper who admittedly should've gotten some more consideration from me on the MIAA player rankings. The 6-foot-2 guard understands how to operate both with and without the ball and plays with a confidence and poise from all areas of the floor. The junior can make shots consistently from three (and he has a quick release), but he also impressed me with his athleticism and length at the rim on a number of athletic finishes. Mariano just makes the simple play but can also go find his own shot if he needs to—he'll be an awesome player in the MIAA this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3727062"],"_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-6aa977f06485e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lyons continued his awesome summer this past Saturday. The 6-foot guard has always had the quickness, but he simply looks more comfortable making decisions in the paint and getting to his spots than he ever has before. He blows by opponents effortlessly, and he has become more consistent as both a finisher and a mid-range maestro, so he's a threat from a lot of different areas. Lyons can dominate the game at a moment's notice with his burst and athleticism, and I expect him to light the MIAA on fire this season for Newton North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470979"],"_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-6aa977f0648b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reeves is one of the most solid point guards in the 2027 class. The 6-foot guard consistently applies 94 feet of pressure and is active on the weak-side—he doesn't take possessions off on that end and has awesome instincts and hands. Offensively, the senior makes simple and decisive plays once he touches the paint and has excellent discernment when it comes to either getting his teammates involved or getting all the way to the cup. Reeves is a coach on the floor and is going to have a chance to win a state championship with Notre Dame West Haven this upcoming season. Definite D3 player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3737241"],"_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-6aa977f064907"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Landman was absolutely cooking on Saturday. I looked over at his court at one point and saw him score on four straight possessions using the exact same move—he would rock the defense to sleep before quickly attacking their top foot as soon as they lunged for the ball, and then he would elevate athletically at the rim and finish with contact. The 6-foot-2 guard is very strong-bodied and knows how to take contact, but he's also a relentless rim attacker who never stops looking for angles to get to the hoop. Landman made my MIAA player rankings last month and is going to lead a very solid Beverly team this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->