Regional Scouting: Strong’s Urgency, Roman Breakout, More!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The energy around playoff games are always a pleasure to watch, Friday night's Mustang-Edmond Memorial, a 8-9 match up, was one of the best examples of this. Win or go home. With only a few seconds left, industrious Bulldog senior [player_tooltip player_id='1079009' first='Carter' last='Hjelmstad'] looked like he had extended his high school career by at least an extra weekend. But Bronco senior [player_tooltip player_id='967377' first='Jacobe' last='Johnson'] had no intention of hanging up the sneakers for cleats. The future Sooner football player raced end to end to tie the game and send it into overtime. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the extra frame, Memorial built a small lead before Mustang roared back, trailing by only one with seconds. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1391441' first='Roman' last='Miller'] drew a foul on a drive. With ice in his veins, he drilled both free throws to deliver the victory to Mustang. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second Friday night game, Midwest City mucked up favorites Edmond North momentarily in the first half. But they were never able to close the gap, and the defending Class 6A champions Huskies pulled away with another blowout victory on their resume. Which set up a Saturday night Regional Championship tilt against Mustang. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, Mustang, like many underdogs, came out with more energy and timely shooting. It earned them a narrow halftime lead. Edmond North flew out of the gate in the second half, quickly building a double digit advantage which they maintained into the fourth. Mustang got off the deck and even led by 4 with a couple minutes remaining. With under 15 seconds, down two, Edmond North had one last chance to it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1160669' first='TJ' last='Strong'] went to attack the rim, but was walled off. He took a contested 15 footer instead, draining it to force OT. Strong scored off the opening tip of overtime and Edmond North led wire to wire in the extra frame to hold on for a 66-32 victory. Edmond North advances to face Choctaw with a trip to State on the line at Area. While Mustang will have a chance for redemption with a win or go home match up with Lawton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1391441"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Coming into this season, shooting was Miller's top known skill. While he can still shoot it with the best of them in the state, the evolution of his off the dribble game and buying in on defense have been highlights on his sophomore year. The still growing sophomore is blessed with a huge wingspan, and it has made him a more impactful defender with the occasional block or deflection. Both of these new facets were important for him in Friday's win. Including hitting two free throws in the closing seconds of overtime to give the Broncos the win and keep their season alive.rnrnSaturday night, Miller took advantage of the extra game he earned for his team. In the opening frame he nailed four three pointers, a mixture of catch and shoot makes along with off the dribble makes. He finished the first half with 19 points and helped the Mustangs to a small lead over the top ranked Huskies. When Edmond North threw their haymaker in the second half, it was Miller that punched back. Attacking off the dribble, then hitting big threes to cut into the lead. He had a 5 point sequence that put Mustang back in front, he buried a three, then jumped a pass moments later and took it coast to coast for a score.rnrnWhile Mustang ultimately came up just short, the lanky 6 foot 3 guard finished with 35 points against older guards. It was a loud statement that as his sophomore season comes to a close, Miller has started to turn his potential into production.  If this game was any indication, the Mustang Bronco will emerge as a recruiting target for Division One programs this spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1475983"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"This is probably an island I'm fairly alone on, but Hancuff still profiles as one of the highest upside prospects in the Class of 2025. His combination of size, athleticism and energy set him apart whenever he's on the court. One of the best examples of this is with how much ground he covers on the defensive end.  On Friday night he went for a loose ball near mid-court, seconds later he was in the opposite corner contesting a three pointer. There's usually one or two moments like this from Hancuff per game. Earlier this year he was the one to close off a drive near the free throw line, forced the pass, then flew out to the three point line and blocked the shot.  Betting on players with size, athleticism and a high motor is usually a good bet.rnrnThere's still two more years in his high school career, and there is a lot of refinement that is needed. A little hitch in his jumper is one example. His feel on offensive needs improvement and he looks raw in some team concepts.  Frankly at this stage of his career, he shares some similarities to [player_tooltip player_id='981287' first='Terry' last='McMorris'] when he was a sophomore. Player development is not linear, but at some point Hancuff will need to make an on the court jump similar to the one [player_tooltip player_id='1391441' first='Roman' last='Miller'] just took.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1160669"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u0022Senior Urgencyu0022 an unofficial scouting term I've told close confidents when discussing the performances that seniors produce come playoff time. Tonight, the versatile forward was the poster boy for this concept. When he's off the court, he's often riding a bike behind the bench staying warm, presumably due to some nagging injury. In back to back games when on the court, he's attacked the rim hard.  Finishing well though contact, . Strong is a good chess piece for programs, as there's some ability to switch onto guards, hit jumpers, while also being tall and physical enough to battle around the rim.rnrnIn the biggest moment it was Strong that stepped up. Even with the clock running down, the highest leverage moment possible, Strong stayed calm. He caught it in the corner, but didn't settle for the three. He took a couple dribbles to the midrange, pump faked and found enough space to burry a 15 footer as the clock expired to force overtime. It was a huge moment for the 6 foot 7 forward that has a couple offers from D2 and NAIA offers from Oklahoma.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1807980"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A bucket. [player_tooltip player_id='1807980' first='Roy' last='Henderson'] has the type of offensive game that will seeing him scoring in pick up, men's leagues and other basketball scenarios for the next 20-30 years. And yes, his scoring translates to college. Edmond North has no shortage of guards that play quality defense and while Henderson wasn't perfect, he still found ways to score. The junior can pull up from deep, work the midrange and has a crafty feel to finish in traffic amongst the trees.  He's an iso specialist, his turnarounds and fadeaways in midrange are at times poetic.  There's flashes as a creator with some good passes off drives, but Henderson's primary DNA is that of an off the dribble scorer.rnrnScoring is always needed and because of that Henderson will likely find his way onto a college roster in fall of 2024.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1079009"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"It was a bitter sweet ending for Hjelmstad's high school career. With the game tied, he attacked off the dribble and buried a go ahead shot. It looked like he would have his moment, but Mustang would tie it up. Forcing overtime and eventually causing Edmond Memorial's season come to an end. After flashing as a role player for Edmond Memorial last season, Hjelmstad jump started his recruiting last spring and simmer with a very successful AAU season. This year he became a regular double-double threat with the Bulldogs. While also being an improved shooter, especially from beyond the arc.rnrnSigned to Kansas State Division 2 program, the Edmond Memorial will be taking his hard hat north. Where the double doubles will surely continue.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fa9178e4ed1"} /-->