Max’s Mid-Week Standouts: Week 9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw across three games on Monday and Tuesday!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1874916"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679bcbd103ecb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most dominant performances you'll see all season was [player_tooltip player_id='1874916' first='Micah' last='Curtis']' 57 point performance in a win over Chanhassen. The North Dakota commit showed why he's one of the most physically dominant players in the state, bullying his way to the rim for finish after finish inside. Mixed in a few short jumpers, but just about every shot he took was going right at the rim. Whether he was attacking off the drive, sprinting the floor in transition, posting up, or fighting for offensive rebounds, Micah found ways to get the ball near the rim, and from there he was just too big and explosive to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617724"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679bcbd103f39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Going back-and-forth with Micah for most of the game was [player_tooltip player_id='1617724' first='John' last='Schmidt'], whose 31 point performance had Chanhassen in it until the end. The 6'5 wing has a turnaround jumper that's just about automatic, and with his length and release point he was able to get shots off over size with no issue. Has impressive coordination to quickly get squared up off the catch and elevate for a jumper all in one fluid moment. With [player_tooltip player_id='1760312' first='Riley' last='Johnson'] out, John has shown he can put up big scoring numbers, as he had put in back-to-back 30 point games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2362161"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679bcbd103f82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matthew looks to be next in line at St. Louis Park. His frame immediately stands out, as he stands at 6'4-6'5 with long arms and fluid athleticism. That allows him to move his feet and cause disruptions out on the perimeter when SLP goes with a bigger lineup, but he can also hold his own at the 4 when needed. Although [player_tooltip player_id='1874916' first='Micah' last='Curtis'] did the bulk of his team's scoring on Monday, Matthew provided a spark when his team needed it. Johnson has a smooth outside shot, with the fluid athleticism to get to the rim and finish off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1594744"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679bcbd103fc5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Billy has always been an outside shooting threat, but now as a senior he's grown into his 6'4 frame, and has become more of a threat finishing at the rim. Against Buffalo he was searching for transition scoring opportunities, always looking to push the ball ahead on his own or to a teammate. In the half-court his off-ball movement helped open up looks, and he showed the touch to finish from various angles off the glass. Had a transition lay-up late in the game that sealed the win against Buffalo on Tuesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126115"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679bcbd104007"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After missing an extended period with an injury in 2024, Vincent is starting to get back into a rhythm for Edina. After a big game against CDH, Vincent followed it up with 18 points in a win over Buffalo. Edina constantly has Vincent running off of screens and cutting off the ball, just looking for ways to get him downhill towards the rim. When he gets a clear path to the basket, there isn't much defenders can do as he can explode off one of two feet for highlight reel dunks. He's starting to do a better job now of playing off of two feet when a clear path isn't available, using his size to finish through some contact. Provides a strong rebounding presence inside, and has showcased the mobility to move his feet with smaller players out on the perimeter when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2423572"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679bcbd104049"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordy was keeping his team in the game against Edina with his sharpshooting ability. The 5'10 guard is active off the ball, and this Buffalo team is filled with unselfish players, so Jordy knew he'd get his chances when he got into space. Sorenson has a quick release, combined with good shot selection that makes him an efficient shooter. He finished with a game high 22 points on Tuesday night, and is averaging just over 13 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2175446"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679bcbd10408b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Daveion's efficiency and activity on the glass was key for Hopkins in their win over Minnetonka. In a very low-scoring game by Hopkins' standards, Daveion's 13 points on 6-8 shooting were key, as he made the most of every chance he got. He was flying up the floor in transition, cutting hard off the ball, and stepped outside to hit a three. Hart had the highlight of the game as well when he came flying in for an alley-oop dunk. Hopkins played a lot of the game without either of their bigs, so Daveion stepped up on the glass, pulling in 12 rebounds and really limiting any second chance opportunities for Minnetonka. Utilized his length on the defensive end with 2 blocks and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->