Johnsburg Thanksgiving Tournament Day 1: Ball Handlers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday was day 1 action of the IHSA boys basketball 2025-2026 season. I was in Johnsburg catching tipoff of opening night which consisted of 3 games all at the High School's main gymnasium. Let's go ahead and breakdown some of the primary ball handler's of this evenings festivities.<br><br>Here are the results for all 3 games from tonight through each quarter.<br><br>Game 1<br>Grayslake Central: 7, 15, 29, 40<br>Barrington: 12, 24, 38, 56<br><br>Game 2<br>Waukegan: 18, 33, 58, 68<br>Crystal Lake South: 7, 20, 32, 38<br><br>Game 3<br>Cary Grove: 10, 25, 40, 62<br>Johnsburg: 21, 27, 39, 55<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1465903"],"_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-6925668208d59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Had sound activity defensively guarding on the ball applying pressure to speed offense up. Applied a challenge full length of the court at times when team was making a run. Will push ahead offensively off misses and was not afraid to get on the glass as a smaller guard for rebounding. Squeezed through a few tight gaps in traffic to still finish between taller height. Liked his hustle for the full 4 quarters even when game was getting out of reach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jackson Roberts","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Barrington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925668208e12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Serves as team's primary ball handler who facilitates well in multiple phases. Took on some tight defensive pressure at times but continued to play with poise and confidence. Reads the defense accordingly on drives making solid reads for dish offs once he draws defenders. From the guard location rebounded effectively with toughness on both ends. Overall has solid IQ and good knack for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552444"],"_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-6925668208e65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Had the quickest feet from tonight's 3 games worth I saw. Beat the ballhandler to their spot defensively early and often and came away with a charge on the night. Serves as team's point guard but can create to get to his locations for efficient shot selection as well. Made multiple alley-oop passes with solid touch and feel to fill up the assist department. Knocked down a smooth mid-range off the bounce and hit a couple 3's from range. Well rounded game and effective with the ball. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2413470"],"_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-6925668208ea7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Got it going early in the first half knocking down a couple 3's with smooth form. Had a take-a-way steal and another pitch ahead to get the ball moving in the primary break phase. Can score it from 3 levels. Knocked down a jumper off the dribble from mid range and got to the cup for an And 1. Nifty competitor who can put it in the basket at a solid rate. Finished with a team high 17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->