Class-A Juniors who has Big Shoes to Fill

<ol> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1424097" first="PJ" last="Newbill"] | 6’1 G | Creighton Prep</li> </ol> <p>Replacing: Senior Martell Evans </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/PJ-Newbill.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1428538 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/PJ-Newbill-300x207.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="207" /></a>Coming off the bench last season, the junior found himself on the floor in crunch time for some games because of his defensive presence. Already a good defender so he will fit in guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player next season. Didn’t take many shots from distance last season but has been this off-season in his tournaments. Still need improvement from distance but getting comfortable from outside will be a huge addition for the Jr Jays. Much will be required for the soon-to-be senior, with Crieghton Prep losing a number of guards. Won’t replace Evan’s athleticism but he will become close, he’s already jumping out of the gym. Already can get to the basket and finish. Will be required to take over handling the ball mostly for the Jr Jays so playmaking improvements much come to set other teammates up. Overall, PJ has a lot of upside going into next season for the Jr Jays. He can easily become a big part of the success and getting Creighton Prep over the hump. </p> <p>Averages: 5.3 Points, 1.5 Assists, 1.4 Rebounds, 1.2 Steals</p> <p>Best Performance: 01/08 18 points vs Millard North</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1052922" first="Awit" last="Mamer"] | 6’1 G | Omaha Central</p> <p>Replacing: Senior Guards [player_tooltip player_id="890569" first="PJ" last="Davis"] or [player_tooltip player_id="890589" first="Jayden" last="Dawson"]</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Awit-Mamer.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1428544 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Awit-Mamer-300x257.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="257" /></a>Started some games because of his defensive abilities and ability to bring up the ball. Has some scoring capabilities, Eagles would need him to improve his consistency from long distances to match the production from Davis and Dawson last season.  The offense initiator in some parts of the game, next season will be called upon more to handle the ball more. Would need to work more on ballhandling and playmaking but has shown that he can start an offense in a few games. Defensively he’s a pest on the perimeter with his long arms and quick feet his potential to be a defensive stopper is high with all his intangibles.  IQ of the game will need to increase with the Eagles bringing a new head coach and potential new system much will be required from the soon-to-be senior in Central’s transition.</p> <p>Averages: 4.5 Points, 1.4 Assists, 2.6 Rebounds</p> <p>Best Performances: 12/04 15 points 5/6 F/G vs Benson </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1013217" first="Jaxon" last="Stueve"] | 6’4 F | Bellevue West/ETG Midwest 17U</p> <p>Replacing: Senior [player_tooltip player_id="1031436" first="Evan" last="Inselman"]</p> <p>Already a player that is used to the starting role is out of the top five many times this season. The junior is a knockdown shooter shooting 39 percent from long distances, he<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Evan-and-Dotzler-and-Stueve.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1358150 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Evan-and-Dotzler-and-Stueve-300x217.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="217" /></a> will have to replace Inselman’s 44 percent from deep. Jaxon has all the tools to be a top shooter next season and with more green light he will have his chance. Want to see him create more inside developing a counter to a closing defender will help the Thunderbirds tremendously next season. In defense he just needs minor improvements, more playing time is going to be beneficial to his defense IQ next season.  He has the potential to etch his name amongst the Thunderbirds' elite next season. </p> <p>Averages: 5.1 Points, 1.2 Assists, 2.2 Rebounds</p> <p>Best Performances: 02/28 15 points vs Norfolk</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1267137" first="Mat" last="Tut"] |6’5 F | Omaha Bryan</p> <p>Replacing: [player_tooltip player_id="890586" first="Lam" last="Kuany"] </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Mat-tut.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1428556 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Mat-tut-300x277.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="277" /></a>Hard to replace a player who is mainly down in the post and you’re a wing player, but Tut just needs to replace Lam’s scoring production. Capable of handling the ball in addition to his length he’s able to get to the rim pretty easily. Shown flashes of putting the ball in the bucket last season in a few games. With more opportunities, Tut will have many chances to fill it up for the Bears next season.  Improving his shot consistency and shot IQ could have him moving up the ranks quickly.  Has the tools to be one of the state’s top defenders combining height, and length with this ability to move his feet and jump out of the gym he could be a menace on the perimeter and at the rim.  Next season just has to take the step to be the player that he is capable of being with the good coach he has at Bryan many skills will be unlocked for the soon-to-be senior. </p> <p>Averages: 6.0 Points, 3.9 Rebounds, 0.9 Blocks</p> <p>Best Performance: 01/25 14 points vs MMB</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1052920" first="Malik" last="Crawford"] |6’1 G | Omaha Westside</p> <p>Replacing [player_tooltip player_id="890584" first="Payson" last="Gillespie"]</p> <p>Might not do everything Payson was able to do on the floor but if he can match Payson shooting from long-distance it would benefit the Warriors a lot. He’s a sleeper to make a splash next season. Capable shooter from downtown didn’t have much sample size this season but when got in he would knock down the outside shot. Can stretch the floor<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Malik-Crawford.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1171415 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Malik-Crawford-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> for the Warriors next season if consistently know down shots from beyond the arc. One of maybe two seniors next season his leadership will help the underclassmen if developed. Other aspects of his game are still yet to be seen with limited playing time last season but if he keeps shooting and does it consistently, he will definitely be needed by Westside next season. </p> <p>Averages: 1.1 Points, 0.7 Assists, 0.7 Rebounds</p> <p>Best Performance: 12/02 8 points vs Columbus</p>