Standout Bigs & Lead Guards: 2022 & 2023

<p>[player_tooltip player_id="1284421" first="Luke" last="Williams"] - 2022</p> <p>This was my first time checking out the strong, slashing guard who possesses an NCAA ready frame. Williams has put up 16 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting a dominant 57% from 2P range and converting 80% of his 25 free throw attempts. Williams is a capable defender, while his box score stats do not jump out he holds his own as a point of attack defender within the half court.  The continuation of his synergy with [player_tooltip player_id="1080835" first="Joel" last="Speckman"] will be one of the more striking duos in the state this season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1167509" first="Nick" last="Randall"] - 2023 (thumbnail)</p> <p>At 6'7, [player_tooltip player_id="1167509" first="Nick" last="Randall"] plays a retro brand of basketball, using an array of post hooks, fades, and step throughs to convert tough looks into easy opportunities. Box out Randall, he will personally make your team pay for failing to do so with 2.9 of his 8.7 boards coming on the offensive glass. The forward knows his role, shooting 71% from the field while only attempting one three pointer this season. His foul percentages should soon improve too, only converting 22 of 40 attempts (55%) compared to last season's 25 of 35 (71%). Randall is simply dependable, he knows what he does well and excels at his strengths as a disciplined rebounder and creative paint finisher. Through the rest of this season, it will be worth monitoring his shooting </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1284413" first="Tyler" last="Klopfenstein"] - 2022<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/IMG_3815.JPG"><img class=" wp-image-1184729 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/IMG_3815-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="149" /></a></p> <p>The shifty, left-handed senior has been averaging 12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game through 8 games. A crafty driver, who does well changing gears and getting the defense off balance. While Klopfenstein prefers going to the left, he is comfortable finishing with either hand in traffic. He also has a smooth form that allows him to shoot off of movement. The senior guard looks to add a steady scoring punch for a Castle View team battling injuries. Klopfenstein has recently committed to Carthage College.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Brock-Mishak1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1172011 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Brock-Mishak1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="237" height="158" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1284414" first="Brock" last="Mishak"] - 2022</p> <p>Mishak has been nothing short of consistent, averaging 22.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on splits of 47/34/80. He has been taking defense personally this season, against Castle View he contributed 12 points in transition. Transition is an area Mishak excels at, regardless of him landing a steal he will get off to the opposite court in no time. Arguably his most translatable skill at the next level will be his physicality, no doubt Mishak prioritizes the weight room. Mishak has recently committed to West Texas A&amp;M.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080835" first="Joel" last="Speckman"] - 2022<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Joel-Speckman1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1233091 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Joel-Speckman1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="239" height="159" /></a></p> <p>It seems that every game [player_tooltip player_id="1080835" first="Joel" last="Speckman"] finds a way to silence the opposing crowd with a powerful dunk. Chaparral now sits at 7-1 this season, lead by Speckman, who has been keeping the intensity going with 16.5 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. Given his size at 6'8, he has shown progression making passing reads, especially out of double teams. Speckman is now up to 2.8 assists per game, although he still adjusting from an off season given his 3.8 turnovers per game. Another encouraging aspect of the energetic forward has been improving as an instigator on the perimeter, averaging nearly five stocks (Blocks+Steals) per game. While only shooting 3 for 10 from distance this season, which is far too small a sample size to cast judgement, expect his percentages to steadily rise with a healthy dose of two to three attempts per game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>