Jan 22-26: 2024 Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week I viewed 10 games with varsity and JV games.&nbsp;The varsity games I viewed were on Monday I watched the&nbsp;<strong>Buckeye Hawks&nbsp;</strong>defeat<strong>&nbsp;Washington Rams 82-53.</strong>&nbsp;Tuesday I watched&nbsp;<strong>St. Mary's Knights&nbsp;</strong>defeat&nbsp;<strong>Mesquite Wildcats</strong>&nbsp;<strong>75-73</strong>. Wednesday I watched&nbsp;<strong>Cactus Shadows Falcons&nbsp;</strong>defeat<strong>&nbsp;McClintock Chargers</strong>&nbsp;<strong>55-49</strong>.&nbsp;Thursday I watched&nbsp;<strong>Cesar Chavez Champions</strong>&nbsp;defeat&nbsp;<strong>Shadow Ridge Stallions 84-47</strong>&nbsp;and finally Friday I watched&nbsp;<strong>Valley Christian Trojans</strong>&nbsp;defeat&nbsp;<strong>Ben Franklin Chargers 90-35.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were the senior newcomers from the week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1194212' first='Carter' last='Mehlberg'] Mesquite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A deadeye shooter from the three point line. He was feeling it from deep in the contest versus St. Mary's with four triples. The lefty has a picture perfect stroke and moves without the ball to get open. He has a quicker release and gets it off before the defender can close out. He will definitely be added to the rankings once we update at the end of the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2329532' first='Darius' last='Haskin'] Buckeye</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A decent sized point guard is very fast to get downhill and will drive and kick it or slip it into the post. He will often take it coast to coast with his tight handle and big confidence. He can also hesitate and burst by with his left or right. He will block shots and rebound inside and is a plus athlete to throw it down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2331682' first='Parker' last='Walsh'] McClintock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top on-ball defender on the team is Walsh. He is a physical rebounder in traffic and his defense keeps him on the floor with his quick feet and lateral quickness. He scores on catch threes and can dribble drive and score in traffic with his strong upper body frame.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2329533' first='Isaiah' last='Leyva'] Buckeye</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled combo guard scores with the floater game, he can pull-up from mid-range off the dribble and he has deep three point range. He really is the mid-range king, as it is clearly his go-to shot. He scored 16 points.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2329534' first='Jamarion' last='Pulliman'] Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading scorer on the night for the Rams was Jamarion with 16 points.&nbsp; He is super fast and shifty from end to end with quick hands and feet and a blur in the open court. He is a great rebounder and will score on put backs. He will hesitate and get to the rim to score or ball fake.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2331673' first='Charles' last='Allen'] Cactus Shadows</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A decent sized scoring guard can fill it up from deep. He will ball fake then side step into a three with a pure stroke. He is one of the knockdown shooters of the team and is best off the catch. With their bigs getting all the attention he can smartly cut to the basket or spot up and let it fly.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2331672' first='Patrick' last='Geary'] Cactus Shadows</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong post player with skill. The lefty scores on layups in transitions, cuts to the basket to catch it with good hands and has a pretty jumper from mid-range. He uses his size and girth to rebound.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2329531' first='Zachary' last='Bennett'] Buckeye</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An active power forward rebounds well with his length and motor. He scores on put backs with his long arms and can step out and shoot the three with confidence. He gives the Hawks some much needed size to compliment their talented guards.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2331671' first='Adnan' last='Ahmetovic'] Cactus Shadows</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong framed wing forward can score with catch threes and buckets near the hoop. He is smart and will take charges and had a big charge with 21 seconds to play to essentially win it. He rebounds well with his strength and motor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->