Stock Risers from NEO Youth Elite Christmas Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NEO Youth Elite Christmas Classic featured two days of competitive action at Garfield Heights High School. In this article we'll break down the standout performers from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2304811"],"_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":"Elyria had a rough game but Blanton was a bright spot as the Junior guard made a lot of shots from the perimeter. Really liked his footwork on his shot and he showed the ability to knock down shots from the catch and off the bounce. A couple tough step-back jumpers caught my eye and overall Blanton showed an impressive feel for the game. This was my first chance to really focus on his game and I left impressed, will want to check him out again in the Spring.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2140872"],"_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":"Maple Heights got it going against Elyria and their defensive pressure forced a ton of turnovers, which led to easy buckets. Young is a smaller point guard but very quick on the ball and able to change his speeds to blow by the initial defender. Also already able to knock down the 3-point shot, Young made the defense pay when they went under the screen to try and beat Young to the spot on drives. As a slasher, Young also showed advanced body control for his age and appears to be one of the top guards in northeast Ohio's 2027 class.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2144496"],"_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":"Another 2027 guard standing out, Hill has been one of the most consistent players of all freshmen in the state this season. On Friday night against a city rival, Hill once again stood out. Making layups at the rim with both hands, making the extra pass to shooters and working hard defensively against tough match-ups, Hill does a lot to help impact winning. The cherry on top for his performance had to be a no look alley-oop slam that he threw to his teammate to cap off the win. Hill is a name you'll be hearing a lot more about over the next three years.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1862652"],"_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":"My first-time watching Kwasniak in person and it's clear that he's the best shooter in Ohio. I normally shy away from statements like that but Kwasniak is putting up numbers that won't be matched by anybody else and the eye test matches up, he's one of the elite shooters in the country. A limited athlete to create his own shot, Kwasniak runs off a lot of screens and doesn't need much daylight to let it fly. The degree of difficulty on his shots is so high that his percentages being where they are speaks volumes to his ability as a shooter. Seems like he's developing physically as he's grown over the past 12 months and starting to fill out his frame. Looking like a Division I talent, it'll be interesting to see where Kwasniak's recruitment develops this spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2042513"],"_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":"Garfield Heights rolled by Benedictine, but I thought Jackson was a clear standout while the game was competitive. Jackson shoots a really good ball off the catch and had some nice transition moves as well. A specialist right now, Jackson knows his role and does it at a high level. Looks like a guy who will get a lot of small college interest from a variety of schools around the region.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1617867"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The flash plays I saw Vickerstaff make caught my eye as he's grown a couple inches since I last saw him in July. The lefty wants to attack downhill and use his size at the rim while also showing he's a capable shooter from 3-point range. Doing a little bit of everything offensively, from spotting up, attacking closeouts, setting screens, curling off screens, Mayfield used Vickerstaff in a variety of ways. If Vickerstaff can continue to become more consistent in his production, he should have small college programs recruiting him heavy in the spring and summer. A player to watch from the Prep Hoops Circuit.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658b38b7de53f"} /-->