Eric’s Weekend Evaluations: Week 2
With the new format to the season, we are looking to do more full on player breakdowns. Those will come on Fridays and Sundays. This version, is our weekend breakdown with games from Friday and Saturday. This week we watched…
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Continue ReadingWith the new format to the season, we are looking to do more full on player breakdowns. Those will come on Fridays and Sundays. This version, is our weekend breakdown with games from Friday and Saturday. This week we watched Center Grove vs. Cathedral, Knightstown vs. Lebanon, and Hamilton Heights vs. Guerin Catholic.
#1 Ben Nicoson – 6’0 PG 2019 – Center Grove (IN) [Committed to Indianapolis]
**8 points against Cathedral (IN)**
Nicoson looked solid in this one, really showcasing the things that make him a player with his handles, jumper, and confidence. He’s not a guy that is going to be flashy or put up 20+ points in a game but he’s going to give you the same thing each and every time on the floor. Jumper looked good and took the shots he needed to and none he didn’t. About as steady as you will find.
#2 Tayven Jackson – 6’3 SF 2022 – Center Grove (IN)
**8 points against Cathedral (IN)**
Tayven is a long, lean freshman who is already making big plays. Hit a game winning three with under 20 seconds to go in the game to take back the lead. Really skilled and handles the ball well for a wing. Jumper looked good when he was off the catch. Better now off the catch than the bounce but if he’s putting it on the deck, he’s plenty capable of getting to the rim and finishing at a high level.
#10 Spencer Piercefield – 6’0 PG 2019 – Center Grove (IN) [Committed to Indiana Wesleyan]
**7 points against Cathedral (IN)**
Solid game for the senior but probably should be one of the lesser of the season. He’s capable of putting up some big numbers and while he didn’t really overplay his hand, would like to see a little more aggressiveness in his offense. Liked his ability to handle some ball pressure from Cathedral and didn’t make many mistakes. His jumper looked okay but should be a much bigger weapon within this offense.
#13 Justin DeGraaf – 6’5 SF 2020 – Center Grove (IN)
**13 points against Cathedral (IN)**
Justin is a big wing who has a lot of skill and has some solid upside to dig into. He can shoot, pass, and rebound pretty well. Love how big the frame is and how he can mix it into this team. Defensively, he’s got a long way to go but gives you so much versatility on offense that you have to have him on the floor. Could be a 3/4 at the next level but want to see the foot speed and defense take steps forward.
#21 Cameron Petty – 6’3 SF 2021 – Center Grove (IN)
**3 points against Cathedral (IN)**
Petty is a big guard who handles the ball okay for an off-guard but has a very capable jumper. Gave solid minutes off the bench and seemed to be able to float into the middle of the floor and compete on the boards with his body. Probably going to end up being more of a perimeter shooter but needs some more touches in motion because he looks like he’s comfortable getting off a shot even if he has to make a move to do it.
#23 Trayce Jackson-Davis – 6’9 PF 2019 – Center Grove (IN) [Committed to Indiana]
**21 points, 12 rebounds against Cathedral (IN)**
Solid outing from Trayce who did pretty much everything you would want him to. Defends, rebounds, finishes strong at the rim, and can get out and handle the ball. Thought he was strong on defense when his team needed it most, blocking a couple key shots late in the game on future teammate Armaan Franklin. Was pretty comfortable getting out in transition with the ball and was still cognizant enough to pass the ball off rather than making a play that likely wasn’t ready to make. This actually was probably a “lesser” game for him which is kind of crazy with 21 and 12.
#0 James Franklin – 6’0 PG 2019 – Cathedral (IN)
**11 points against Center Grove (IN)**
This was the best outing we have seen from James since his freshman season. Was so good finding his spots and making plays at the rim. Cathedral ran a bunch of pick and roll stuff and CG struggled because Franklin and Comer seemed to get into the lane so quick and finish every time. Just looks so much more comfortable with everything and much more like himself than at any point in the last few years. Have high expectations for him this season.
#2 Armaan Franklin – 6’5 SG 2019 – Cathedral (IN) [Committed to Indiana]
**13 points against Center Grove (IN)**
Franklin looked okay against Center Grove and definitely had him moments but there was a little bit of time when he probably should have taken the game over. He’ll have his big games and large point totals and so far his jumper looks better and more consistent. Just want to see a little more of that alpha and become a guy that takes over. He’s so skilled and has enough talent to pretty much make any play he needs to, just want to see him take that next step.
#10 Justin Hensley – 6’4 SF 2019 – Cathedral (IN)
**12 points against Center Grove (IN)**
Hensley is a big wing that has the skill to play on the ball more than he does. Needs to be able to impact the game a little more with that handle. He’s quick with it and showed a little bit where he was able to drive to his right hand. Jumper looked great off the catch but if he can mix in a few more plays where he is going at the rim, which he is plenty capable of doing, he could take a big jump in his production.
#11 Ross Welch – 6’6 PF 2019 – Cathedral (IN)
**3 points against Center Grove (IN)**
While Welch got hurt in the third quarter and missed the rest of the game, he was playing pretty well. Had a big transition trailer three and was playing inside well on defense. Thought he was moving well and showing more of that agility and versatility that he has had in the past. Hopefully he will be able to be back out soon as he has the talent to help this team.
#12 Tayshawn Comer – 5’11 PG 2022 – Cathedral (IN)
**17 points against Center Grove (IN)**
Comer is a tough, smart lead guard for a freshman. So good in the lane and physically tough to where he finishes against contact really well. Pretty quick as well. Jumper is solid but will come along more with time. He showed he’s going to be a guy on defense that could be a lock down defender. Lateral quickness is good and has the physical strength to impact things now. For a freshman, he’s going to be one of the highest level producers you are going to find.
#2 Carson Burtron – 6’3 SG 2020 – Lebanon (IN)
**15 points against Knightstown (IN)**
Burtron is a tall guard with skill and handles. Was decent in this game, handling more on the ball than in the past. Thought he created well in the lane and not as much from distance. He’s a guy that is going to give you that versatility and size on the wing but not be forced to play any one position. Will need to clean up the handles and creation ability a little bit but could become a much bigger weapon for him as he grows and develops.
#33 Hunter Crew – 6’3 PF 2022 – Lebanon (IN)
**14 points against Knightstown (IN)**
Undersized power forward but built well and could grow a bit. Showed the comfortable ability to play inside and on the wing. Really adept at his age to be able to rebound the ball and loves to track it off the rim. Functional scorer in the post. Moves really well and they had him coming in and out of cuts to the rim.
#44 Kobe Ottinger – 6’4 PF 2022 – Lebanon (IN)
**11 points against Knightstown (IN)**
Long, lean post prospect with some skill. Liked his ability to play in the post and move really well, creating some separation with his movement. Seems to use his length decently well already. Showed he can take the ball and put it on the floor to drive to his right hand. A little bit of a hard release on his jumper. Should grow quite a bit still.
#4 Bernie McGuiness – 6’4 SF 2020 – Guerin Catholic (IN)
**12 points, 5 rebounds against Hamilton Heights (IN)**
Bernie is a big wing with tons of strength and a frame that is going to let him do quite a bit. He’s a guy that showed the ability to post up and play on the wing as well as on the ball. Handles are solid but maybe not good enough to play on the ball at the next level. Like his IQ and thoughtfulness to create mismatches and take advantage of them.
#12 Luke Godfrey – 6’1 SF 2019 – Guerin Catholic (IN)
**17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists against Hamilton Heights (IN)**
Luke is a big, strong wing who has some range and touch from deep. Moves better than you would think with his build, has good footwork. Could really fit in well for a small school wing that should be able to help as a mid-range scorer and rebounder with time. Needs a little more help with the ball handling but close enough that he should be able to play on the ball a bit.
#1 Kian Sills – 6’1 SG 2019 – Guerin Catholic (IN)
**14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists against Hamilton Heights (IN)**
Kian is a long, rangy guard who can really light it up from deep. Showed that he can really improve off the bounce. Does well in quick hits from the wing and has just enough athleticism and solid length to finish at the rim pretty well. Built as more of a shooter early on, think he could develop a little better as an all-around guard down the road.
#0 Gus Etchison – 5’11 PG 2021 – Hamilton Heights (IN)
**29 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists against Guerin Catholic (IN)**
Etchison is a really talented lead guard who has the quickest first step in the state. Was very good creating into the lane and finishing. He’s a really good athlete for his size and can finish above the rim so he’s nearly impossible to stop. Jumper looked good when he was under control. Defensively he just needs to try. He also has to find more ways to involve his teammates. Plays more like an off-guard and his turnover-to-assist ratio is on the wrong side right now. Fix those things and his level takes off.
#15 A.J. Field – 6’5 SF 2019 – Hamilton Heights (IN)
**10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists against Guerin Catholic (IN)**
Field is an interesting prospect where he could be a good four-man for a small school program. Has some height and good strength with a strong lower half. He’s capable of posting up and then hitting a catch-and-shoot three. Moves pretty well but does more with line-drive quickness and solid lateral speed. Think he has more to give as a rebounder with time but did think his passing ability is pretty good out of the high post when he was in it.
#3 Camron Knott – 6’3 SG 2020 – Hamilton Heights (IN)
**20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists against Guerin Catholic (IN)**
Knott is a big guard who has a lot of upside still to tap in to. Really good shooter and tough with the ball in his hands. He’s already grown a couple inches since this summer and looked physically outstanding. Can create a big with the ball in his hands, good from the wing and into the lane. Good effort guy that can physically get into a player defensively. Starting to really take off.