OhioBasketball Grassroots Championship: KY/TN Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had an amazing opportunity to be invited down to Louisville, Kentucky this past weekend to officiate the OhioBasketball.com Grassroots Championship. Between being on the court, watching from the sidelines, and seeing clips afterwards, here are 6 players from Kentucky/Tennessee who stood out to me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2497521"],"_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-6882b31f3898b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crutcher had a big weekend in Louisville. First things first, he can shoot the crap out of the basketball. It helps that his range extends beyond the arc back to the current college line. However, he's not just a shooter. Townsend is also able to attack to score or setup teammates. I would also say that he is a solid off-ball, team defender, his presence improves the other 4 defensively on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2395870"],"_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-6882b31f389ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite being a smaller guard, Jesiah is someone who you want running point on offense. He uses his height and strength as a weapon to get by defenders using his tight-handle. Once he gets into the paint, he is crafty enough to finish over guys in the lane. However, his best offensive skill is his elite passing, hitting guys in the shooting pocket consistently. This high-motor point guard was a fun watch this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2357247"],"_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-6882b31f38a38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Woah, can Shehan fill it up. This lefty can light up the scoreboard from anywhere on the court. Even though he's 6'4, he does most of his damage from the perimeter and is an exceptional 3-point shooter. His size helps him on the glass as he competes well on the boards. What I appreciate the most about John's game is that it doesn't feel like he's forcing anything. He will make a 1-more pass to a teammate that has a better look and doesn't need to shoot a bunch, to make an impact on the scoresheet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2171645"],"_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-6882b31f38a7e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jarett is a handful to deal with in the paint. On offense, he has great touch around the rim and finishes very well through contact. His patience and pivoting skills are very unique for a player nowadays. For a big guy, Simpson has great hands. He does well catching entry passes, securing rebounds, and getting deflections on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2350483"],"_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-6882b31f38ac2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simeon was an explosive player to watch this weekend on both ends of the court. With the ball, it felt like he had the right balance of being aggressive for himself and for others. He can for sure knock down open 3s as well as attack the basket to finish at the rim. He also showed a willingness to pass, rather than for up a contested shot. On defense, he used his length and speed to disrupt opposing guards which led to easy transition opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140801"],"_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-6882b31f38b06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Will Knight is a scorer at all three levels on the court. He can cut off-ball or attack for layups. However, Will does most of his damage from the perimeter. He's one of the few players I saw this weekend who is solid from deep off the dribble or in a catch-and-shoot situation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->