Silver Creek Dragons | LG’s Open Gym Notes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To conclude LG's Open Gym Notes for the season, I've made my way over to one of the premier programs not only in Class 3A, but statewide in the Silver Creek Dragons. Despite losing three starter, two of which were Division I commits from a season ago, Coach Brandon Hoffman and the Dragons com into the season with one of the most unique rosters in the state led by Indiana Junior All-Star and Belmont Commit [player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter']. Is this the year Silver Creek gets back over the hump and gets back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse? Here is everything that I saw this afternoon at Open Gym of the Silver Creek Dragons:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Senior Leadership</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140328"],"_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-6ad2b388bd064"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Belmont Commit [player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter'] is the total package on the basketball floor. High basketball IQ with elite court vision and plays at his own pace. 6'4” lead guard that has become a really good shooter. Smoother release than in the past and is comfortable off the catch and off the ball. A knock on his game was always that he wasn't a good shooter, but during shooting drill he was by far the best shooter in the gym. Something he has clearly work incredibly hard on and the work is showing. A lock to be an Indiana All-Star this season and will be a triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2831121"],"_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-6ad262810c6e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long and Athletic Indiana Wesleyan Commit that I admittedly haven't seen much of. [player_tooltip player_id='2831121' first='Lucas' last='Linderman'] is a 6'9” Forward Center that is a fluid athlete that is an elite rim runner and lob threat. More skilled offensively than I expected. Comfortable handling it in straight line drive situations from the perimeter and has so unique passing ability for his size. Has developed into a capable three-point shooter off the catch. Love the versatility and effort he plays on the defensive end. Capable of keeping smaller and quicker players in front of him while being a formidable shot blocker at the rim. High potential prospect that will impact games on both ends of the floor this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470698' first='Brody' last='McLaughlin'] - 6'5” - Senior - Wing</strong> (Not in Attendance - College Visit)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2436214' first='Donovan' last='Whitehead'] - 6'7” - Senior - Center </strong>(Not in Attendance - Football)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newcomers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3795358"],"_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-6ad2c11bb7385"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This will be 2027 Guard [player_tooltip player_id='3795358' first='Jude' last='Michael']'s first year as a full time varsity contributor and judging off his performance today at open gym, he's more than up for the challenge. The 6'0” Guard went on multiple runs during live action where he hit multiple three's in a row. On balance shooter with a compact repeatable stroke. High energy guard that will be an impactful piece on the bench that will come in and take care of the ball and defend with lots of effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3795361"],"_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-6ad2c11bb73e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another guard in the class of 2027 that will be making his debut as a full time varsity contributor. [player_tooltip player_id='3795361' first='Brody' last='Oliver'], a 6'1” Senior Guard played with a lot of poise during live action. Played really solid defense with active hands and is an excellent rebounder from the guard spot. Capable three-point shooter off the catch and was a really nice playmaker off the dribble with on time on target passes to open shooters. Will</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3038275' first='Aiden' last='Makun'] - 6'7” - Junior - Forward </strong>(Not in Attendance)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3038274' first='Evan' last='Renn'] - 6'6” - Junior - Small Forward </strong>(Not in Attendance)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Name to Remember</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>Jaylen Pittman - 6'3” - Freshman - Forwarded </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Intriguing young forward that has great basketball genes and the sky is the limit for him. 6'3” with good hands and solid footwork. Has the body and frame to be a big time rebounder and paint presence in both ends of the floor.I anticipate him getting all his minutes at the Freshman/JV level, but will be an impact player in the program for the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->