Continuing Consistent Winning Ways: Myers Park Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Culture gets thrown around a lot when discussing sports programs at every level. There isn't really a true definition of what it means or how it's measured despite it being used so much. To me, a good culture is measured by how well players respond and bond with coaches, consistency, winning, and putting kids in position to go to the next level. Myers Park is a program that has checked all those boxes year after year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They are coming off a 18-9 season and have not had a losing season since 2016-2017. Regardless of the coaching staffs, the culture remains throughout the basketball program. The Mustangs return over 80% of their production and will have one of the more versatile teams in the region. They're skilled, athletic, and connected on both ends of the floor, which is why they'll be right in the thick of things for a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Star of The Show</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2953736"],"_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-6ade38cec07e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not often you can say an 18 point per game scorer is a bit underrated but that's the case with [player_tooltip player_id='2953736' first='Thomas' last='Vickery']. These are not empty stats from a player on a bad team or someone who takes tough inefficient shots. Thomas had shooting splits of 48% from the field and 37% from three, so the efficiency matched the effectiveness of his play last year. His ability to create for himself or play off the ball is a game changer for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not having to dominate the ball to be effective is an asset he'll need at the next level. Thomas is an excellent athlete that touches the paint consistently and can finish above the rim through contact. He rebounds the ball at a high level, and his shot blocking is highly undervalued. Coming off a good summer for [program_tooltip program_id='2226228' first='Team' last='CP3'] on the EYBL Circuit, Thomas will be looking to prove why he's one of the top players in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Underrated Playmaking Point Guard</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2619620"],"_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-6ade38cec0846"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a stat sheet stuffing sophomore campaign for Rucker. A true triple double threat each time he steps on the floor, which is backed by the statistics. From a pure playmaking standpoint, there aren't many better than Rucker in the state. He can make any pass you can think of and doesn't need to dominate the ball to rack up assists. The IQ level is outstanding, which is why he's a pick and roll maestro in the halfcourt. Understanding when to hit the roller, score, or skip pass to the open man in the corner is next level stuff that Rucker already possesses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaging around 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists just embody the impact he has on the game. Although the playmaking is a high-level asset, Rucker can score the basketball at a high level. He lives in the mid-range and doesn't settle for bad shots or rely on threes. The ability to control defenses with his pace allows the Mustangs to win in multiple ways against different defensive schemes. After ending the summer on a high note, expect Rucker to continue to prove why he's one of the best pure point guards in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Senior Breakout Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3447412"],"_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-6ade38cec0896"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First off let's acknowledge this is one of the best names in the state. Cash is vastly underrated and should garner more attention this season. The improvement is evident from an eye test perspective but the metrics back it up as well. After not being in the rotation consistently as a sophomore, Cash returned for his junior year with a vengeance. Getting stronger and rounding out his skillset was something he improved on, and it showed all last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You see the 8 points per game, but his impact stretches far from just scoring. His ability to shoot the ball at a high level, especially off the catch, changes how the Mustangs are defended. Last year, Cash learned how to utilize his shooting gravity to his advantage which helped show playmaking flashes we didn't see before. Cash rebounds the ball well and his rim finishing has improved drastically. His overall impact on winning is an asset that is underrated. He had nine double digit scoring games, and the Mustangs went 9-0 in those contests. Expect a big jump from the senior this year in an increased role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The depth, versatility, and skill level of this Mustangs team will give teams fits this year. There are seven players on the roster who are 6'4 or taller, including their point guard. That type of positional size creates mismatches all over the floor for opponents. The Mustangs will be getting a big boost with the return of Niles Nelson. The 6'6 wing is coming off an ACL injury last summer but he's back healthy and better than ever. Niles will bring a two-way presence to the Mustangs that raises their ceiling even higher. He can block shots, rebound, and finish violently at the rim. As the season progresses, expect a lot of production from Niles, as he showed this summer during live sessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The schedule is loaded, so the Mustangs will be tested from beginning to end. Defense is not what a lot of fans like to talk about, but the Mustangs have a chance to be really good on that end. They held 13 opponents to 55 points or less last year and the versatility of this roster is far better. I would be shocked if this team does not push for 20+ wins and a deep playoff run, even with a tough out of conference schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->