Grind Session DC: Intriguing Guards (Part One)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hosted at Mt. Zion Prep in Lanham, MD, Grind Session made it's way to the DMV last weekend with a fantastic slate of games and talent. In part one of two, let's take a look at some of the event's most intriguing guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588140"],"_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-698c7248638ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a slow start in the first half, McLaughlin finished the game with 32 points to lead Riverdale Baptist to a win over Minnesota Prep. The dynamic guard caught fire in the second, hitting a barrage of pullup and catch and shoot threes with the utmost confidence. McLaughlin's big scoring performance came on an efficient 11-20 FGA and 7-12 3PA. His impact was felt on the defensive end as he swiped seven steals showcasing his quick hands and anticipation skills. McLaughlin proved to be one of the top players at the event amongst a deep and illustrious talent pool. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782663"],"_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-698c72486394a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Across two games (both wins), Toatley averaged 15.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.0 APG including a team 19 points against The Star Alliance. Toatley was excellent generating paint touches to make plays for himself and teammates with his mix of strength, quickness, and creative handle. Defensively, he was active on the ball and in passing lanes for steals. My favorite Toatley play was a beautiful full length bounce pass assist to Iyer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2450393"],"_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-698c72486398f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long poured in 26 points in a tough loss to The Star Alliance. His advanced self creation arsenal and multiple level shotmaking was on display throughout. Long connected on multiple threes and pullup middys including a ball screen reject with a quick crossover. He confidently swished a floater in the lane over a helping big, which was a very encouraging sign of the type of touch finish he'll need in the paint as a smaller guard. </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":"Andy Gemao","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Royal Crown (Canada)","_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-698c724863ad6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gemao was one of the real eye openers in the event. He showed why he's been leading Royal Crown in scoring at 16.4 PPG through Grind Session. Gemao scored 21 points against Gillion Academy, 17 points against Winston Salem Christian, and 23 points against Huntington Expression Prep. In the Gillion Academy opening game, Gemao buried a pick-and-roll three, converted a tough reverse layup, hit multiple pullups, and finished a fluid euro floater after attacking the closeout. He even showcased his athleticism on a transition slam. Although he lacks ideal positional size, Gemao is a capable athlete with long arms and a frame that's maturing and adding the requisite strength. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2268833"],"_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-698c724863b1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking on a loaded Southeastern Prep (FL) squad, Johnson-Freeman produced one of the better shooting outings of the event with 22 points on 7-17 FGA and 5-11 FGA. The confident shotmaker drained movement and standstill three included over a contest that didn't faze him. Johnson-Freeman scored on other levels of the floor as well including a crossover pullup jumper at the free throw line and a soft floater at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->