Team Arete: Outstanding Performers Part I

The Arete Showcase was another weekend for high school teams of all classifications, districts and levels to fine tune what they potentially may have going into the season. Wins and Losses aren’t supremely key during this stage of the high school season but who doesn’t want a big victory against a good opponent. While some teams are clicking on all cylinder’s others are still waiting on key pieces to see what they really will potentially look like. Some teams have graduated so many players and are just trying to get in-game experience for players moving into pivotal roles for the upcoming season. While I sat and watched all of that transpire there were some major standouts at the Team Arete Showcase.   2023 RJ Chatman | PG | BBSS National | Sachse Chatman carried the load for the Sachse Mustangs. The 5’10 guard put his game on full display during the Team Arete Shoot out. Chatman got to the basket at will finishing acrobatic layups with the left or right hand. When he couldn’t get all the way to the basket he finished with floaters, or his patent pull up jumper going left or right. When the opposing team zoned up Chatman took the deep NBA three with no hesitation knocking it down with efficiency. Chatman scored on all three levels which would be the case on how he would end the Team Arete tournament. Tie ball game Chatman has the ball with 5 seconds left. He comes down with a left to right cross that gets his defender off balance and shoots from 30 feet for game. Swish, nothing but net as time expired. Reminded me a little bit of Dame Lillard’s walk off shot against Paul George. Chatman just walked off like it was another day in the office. Another game winner for the Prep Hoops Top 30 prospect.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3546-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1310757" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3546-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> 2022 Kenton Wright | G | Team Nation | RL Turner Wright is a BULL! Starting primarily at the point guard position Wright dominates smaller guards with his size and brute strength. His ability to get to the basket at will and finish through all kinds of contact was a joy to watch. Many times, you could see on the officials faces their deliberation on if they should call the foul or not because they didn’t know who caused the contact. When Wright gets in the lane, there will be chaos. He’s running through smaller guards but also finishing over the top of big’s with the contact. Wright has a quick second jump so when he missed, he was back up quickly for his own put back. With all the force and power he played with, Wright showed off his high IQ with his ability to get his teammates involved with nifty no look passes.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3552-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1310769" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3552-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> 2022 CJ Wilson | G | Southern Assault 3SSB | Prestonwood Christian Academy Wilson was one of my favorite players to watch and probably the most impressive. He is a flat-out gamer. His ability to get to his spots and knock down contested jumpers as if no one was there was a thing of beauty. During one of Prestonwood’s contest’s Wilson caught FIRE! He went on a scoring three-point barrage that had him finish the game with 7 threes with 5 coming in a row. The whole gym was in amazement with the way Wilson was shooting the ball. Standing on the sidelines I can hear Wilson’s whole team screaming get him the ball and that they did. What impressed me the most with Wilson, that regardless of how efficient and hot he got shooting the basketball he didn’t force anything. All his shots came within the flow of the offense. Wilson is due for a big senior campaign; I advise everyone to get their popcorn out. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3553-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1310777" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3553-1-242x300.jpg" alt="" width="242" height="300" /></a> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="958565" first="Vinny" last="Sigona"] | PG | Prestonwood Christian Academy Wherever Sigona decides to play at the next level they’re going to have a premier point guard who understands the game. A knock down shooter with a textbook form. I watched Sigona run the show for Prestonwood Christian Academy like a maestro conducting an orchestra. Shooters all around him, talent all around him Sigona still stood out. He played with whom I would consider quit possibly one of the best players if not the best player in the gym in CJ Wilson, but he stilled shined bright. As Wilson got hot Sigona made sure the ball got to him every chance he was able to. Sigona was pointing to spots where players should be to receive his on-point passes, creating all types of misdirection that got his teammates open. He even got in there and mixed it up with the bigs going down there to help rebound to start Prestonwood’s fast break early. I was very impressed with Sigona’s game. He definitively has next level talent.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3555-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1310776" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3555-1-136x300.jpg" alt="" width="136" height="300" /></a> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1205209" first="Eli" last="Valentino"] | G | Argyle Valentino was another player vying for top player honors at the Team Arete tournament. On a team that plays hard, can really shoot the ball and defend at a high level. Valentino was clearly their best player. His skillset is high. He literally can do everything out there on the floor. He has the size to finish through contact, the shooting touch from inside and out and he’s gritty on defense. Valentino plays the game the right way. I never caught him over dribbling, over shooting or putting his team in a bad place due to a bad shot. He goes out there and get the job done on both ends of the floor. Valentino also showed off extreme athleticism! His team got the steal on the break and Valentino broke away for a ferocious two-handed jam that had the stands going crazy. What impressed was speaking with Valentino after the game about his college choices. Academics is high on his list. Harvard, Yale, Princeton he’s ready.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3554-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1310778" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-3554-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1205159" first="Terrance" last="Ramirez"] | PG | 3D Empire | Grapevine HS Ramirez is the engine that makes the Mustangs go. When the ball is in his hands he creates so much for his teammates, which in turn allows him the ability to create offense for himself. The UTA commit showed off his next level speed and his ability to get things done efficiently. I’ve never seen Ramirez take a bad shot. I loved how vocal he was on both ends of the floor along with how his game says I play for my teammates. Every possession down when not on the break Ramirez was looking to set up teammates. He was finding his shooters and getting easy layups for his bigs. Ramirez is going to be a joy to watch with the Mustangs this season. With him as their leader at the point guard position. I see great things for not only him but the whole team.