NHR State Tournament: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six of the top guards I saw over the weekend at the NHR State Tournament!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126461"],"_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-6a202e56408ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cal had a big game when I was watching on Friday night, and it's safe to say he played a key role the remainder of the weekend as [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] advanced all the way to the 17u semi-finals. Defensively he was all over the floor coming up with steals, and showed great instincts and quick reaction time to jump passes and get out in transition for easy finishes. In the half-court he's a lights out shooter whose range extends to well beyond the high school three point line. Defenders are forced to guard him well beyond the arc as his quick release allows him to get off shots in a limited amount of space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2525625"],"_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-6a20311eead0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patrick had his ND Phenom in it until the very end against a loaded Pack team in 16u play. I really like the competitive fire he showed, bringing that extra level of intensity to the floor for his team. Shanahan hit a number of big shots in the second half that kept his team in the game, and was getting fired up with each make. Competes with a lot of toughness on the defensive end, fighting to get over screens and pressuring the ball hard out on the perimeter. Easy to see why he's regarded as one of the top 2028 guards in North Dakota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2456461"],"_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-6a20311eead3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Timmy is one of the shiftiest guards in Minnesota's 2029 class, and at 5'9 he's fearless attacking the basket. I saw him against 204 Elite 16u and Minnesota Falcons 16u, two teams loaded with length and athleticism. Even playing up a year against that talent, Timmy was finding ways to get into the lane and either finish or draw a foul. Really crafty finisher who can spin the ball in from difficult angles off the glass. Already has a year of varsity experience under his belt at Maranatha.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140559"],"_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-6a20311eead60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best passers from the event was [player_tooltip player_id='2140559' first='Ben' last='Goring'] of [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury']-Goring. He helped lead his team to the 17u title by consistently putting his teammates in positions to succeed. He has the vision and accuracy to thread the needle to a cutting teammate, but also makes the simple passes out on the perimeter to his open shooters. If one of his bigs has good position on the block, you can bet Ben will find them with an accurate pass. Always seems to know where the ball has to go next.</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":"Nathan Bekele","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Math u0026amp; Science Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat']","_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-6a20311eeadb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nathan Bekele had a lights out shooting performance against MN Powerhouse on Saturday night. The 2028 guard is a microwave type of shooter who can heat up in a hurry when he sees that first shot go in. He's dangerous knocking down shots off the dribble, or running off screens and hitting shots off the catch. Effortlessly created space out on the perimeter to get his shots off on Saturday, connecting on seven threes in the game I watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955364"],"_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-6a20311eeadd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2955364' first='Ian' last='Nelson'] has been a go-to scoring option all spring long for [program_tooltip program_id='2075808' first='Powerhouse' last='MN']. Any time they need a bucket, Ian seems to be the guy who steps up to put points on the board. Against [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] on Saturday night he connected on a handful of threes to help his team build up a lead in the first half. Nelson plays with endless levels of confidence, and if you leave him open you can bet a shot is going up. Someone who can catch fire and change the course of a game with his shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->