Rocky Mountain Mayhem: Gritty 17U Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1933789' first='Braydan' last='Bowling'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2100026' first='7070' last='Athletics'] - Pine Creek - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1943391,"width":212,"height":139,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/actualbowing-crop-2912x1912-1683049745.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/actualbowing-crop-2912x1912-1683049745.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943391" width="212" height="139" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowling brought high energy on every possession regardless of defense or offense. The 6'2 junior showed upside as a dynamic shotmaker, hitting a few threes in transition. On the opposite end, Bowling brought constant pressure at the point of attack. He is certainly someone flying under the radar down at Pine Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joshua Thompson - Gamepoint Inland - Rancho Bernardo - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1943393,"width":192,"height":126,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/jthomp-crop-2912x1912-1683049839.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/jthomp-crop-2912x1912-1683049839.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943393" width="192" height="126" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson was a valuable two-way player for a fierce Gamepoint Inland group, going 4-0. The guard got downhill with aim, seeking out scoring opportunities in the paint. Although a sophomore, Thompson was adept at finding open teammates once help approached, often getting assists through dump off passes. Already standing around 6'2 with an above average wingspan, the guard already has notable defensive upside while playing up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578029' first='Kasen' last='Lehman'] - CP Magic - Rock Canyon - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1943404,"width":216,"height":142,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/klehmannn-crop-2912x1912-1683049935.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/klehmannn-crop-2912x1912-1683049935.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943404" width="216" height="142" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4 guard is a microwave scorer from beyond the arc, capable knocking down a barrage of three pointers within a handful of possessions. The sophomore guard already has excellent timing getting up for blocks, grabbing at least one per game throughout the event. One area of intrigue is Lehman's passing vision, showing flashes of bounce passes through very tight windows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1943446' first='Savon' last='Alexander'] - Prolific Elite - Vista PEAK Prep - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexander was always one of the first on the break in transition, contributing on high flying layups or three pointers off the catch. The guard was brought constant energy on defense, staying in a low stance to maintain lateral agility. The junior was often staying high up on the perimeter, even in help, allowing him to jump passing lanes for steals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1285117' first='Carson' last='Nichols'] - Nobody Cares Work Harder - Arvada West - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1943409,"width":242,"height":159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/cni-crop-2912x1912-1683050060.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/cni-crop-2912x1912-1683050060.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943409" width="242" height="159" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nichols is a fairly strong guard who has the ball on a string, capable utilizing his skills to get downhill. While attacking the rim, the senior guard is adept at finishing through contact with either hand, making him an especially versatile backcourt threat. Following his senior year, the guard will be attending Division III program, Lawrence University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1190754' first='Naode' last='Ghide'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2075395' first='Colorado' last='Anarchy'] - Cherokee Trail - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ghide was incredibly beneficial as a complementary scorer within this competitive group. Staying acutely aware of driving lanes, utilizing backdoor cuts to find avenues into the paint. Wiry strong, the guard did well absorbing contact in the paint and drawing fouls. Continuing to buy into the catch and shoot jumper will aid Ghide, already possessing a consistent form.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1622356' first='Tony' last='Rondinelli'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2080820' first='Hoops' last='Academy'] - Chatfield - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1943415,"width":201,"height":132,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/tron-crop-2912x1912-1683050144.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/tron-crop-2912x1912-1683050144.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943415" width="201" height="132" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rondinelli brought prowess on the defensive side against 1s and 2s, given his notable reach at 6'3. The junior guard was an impactful help defender, grabbing a couple blocks per game. Used primarily as a complementary scorer, Rondinelli knocked down a few triples off the catch, most often from the corners.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1943447' first='Caedan' last='Twedell'] - B&amp;B Academy White - Ralston Valley - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twedell was a knockdown shooter from all over the floor, possessing value as a pick and roll scoring threat. His jumper was especially valuable should the defense stay too low, consistently stepping into quality looks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->