Pumas Fall League: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pumas Fall league got underway on Saturday morning at the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex and in this article I'll break down my top performers from the action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532136"],"_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-6aa572f0289f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saxton is one of the most talented and productive players in the entire fall league and will compete for MVP honors when it's all said and done. The Grove City lead guard is on another level in terms of his ball handling, quickness, passing and scoring ability. Saxton is also a good teammate, making flashy passes to get his guys wide open looks and he flies around the court defensively causing havoc. With his combination of offensive skill, defensive effort and quickness, Saxton is one of the most productive point guards in Ohio's 2028 class and a name everybody in central Ohio should watch play this winter with Grove City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3767292"],"_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-6aa572f028a62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joseph was a man amongst boys in the paint on Saturday morning as he dominated the interior on both ends of the court. Blocking at least five shots in the game I caught, Joseph was protecting the rim at a high level whether it was as a help-side rim protector or when players would try and take him off the dribble in isolation settings. With a major size and athleticism advantage on the court, Joseph had a big morning and looks like a potential breakout senior in central Ohio for small college and JUCO programs to take a look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2959405"],"_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-6aa572f028ab6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player who has consistently stood out in the Pumas fall league, it was business as usual for the Jonathan Alder guard with his high school varsity head coach watching from the baseline supporting each of his Alder players participating this morning. Sweet knocked down a couple 3-pointers off the dribble, showing his ability to create his own shot on the perimeter. Maybe my favorite bucket Sweet had in the game I caught was when he rejected a middle screen and went right by his defender to score at the rim. I also liked that Sweet made unselfish passes to teammates and created a lot of open looks for other guys. The combination of being able to create shots for both yourself and your teammates goes a long way and Sweet will be a marquee name to watch in the CBC this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2959434"],"_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-6aa572f028b02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another familiar name in the Pumas Fall League, Carpenter has been a dominant force for multiple years in the league and continued right where he left off last season with his title winning squad. Carpenter is a talented play finisher as he does a nice job hovering along the baseline and then makes himself available for easy catch and finishes. Creating second chance opportunities for his team, Carpenter had a couple putback layups and most importantly was a key engine in a victory for his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3767312"],"_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-6aa572f028b4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There were a couple brand new names who caught my eye on Saturday morning and maybe none moreso than Smith. A crafty guard who had some tough below the rim finishes off drives, Smith could use either hand to finish at the rim and displayed soft touch around the basket. Not the most physically imposing player but Smith knows how to play, competes and is a skilled slasher to the rim. Able to get to the rim in transition, attacking closeouts or off steals, Smith was finding ways to make plays all over the court. Based on what I saw on Saturday morning, Smith could be one of the best guards in his conference this winter as his confidence was sky high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->