Eric’s Weekly Evaluations: Week 9
The heart of the season is beginning as the winter storms come and move things around. But, the games are still going and we have our weekly evaluations from the week that hosted the biggest storm of the season. Here…
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Continue ReadingThe heart of the season is beginning as the winter storms come and move things around. But, the games are still going and we have our weekly evaluations from the week that hosted the biggest storm of the season. Here is our breakdown.
#3 Jacob Laravia – 6’8 PF 2019 – Lawrence Central (IN) [Committed to SIU-Edwardsville]
**17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals against Warren Central (IN)**
Early on, you could see the impact that Laravia was making, doing so much in the lane and in transition. He’s proven more and more this year that he’s going to be difficult to defend at the next level because he so comfortable playing with the ball in his hands and creating at a higher level each time out. He also is looking taller, probably 6’8 now and the frame is going to be ready to go quickly in college. He’s probably going to find his way into minutes early in college so long as the jumper is strong.
#14 D’Andre Davis – 6’6 SF 2020 – Lawrence Central (IN) [Committed to Nebraska]
**12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists against Warren Central (IN)**
Davis had one of the better shooting performances we have seen this year. While not going off from deep, he hit four mid-range pull-ups, all coming pretty close to each other. He’s got all of it working for him this year and he’s proven to be the high-major talent to be committed to school like Nebraska. He’s just taken all parts of his game up a tick and been very consistent. However, both him and Pack took a little bit of a slow down toward the end of the third quarter that hurt but they were on fire, it wasn’t likely to last long. Kind of shows just how good Warren is that after all of these made shots, LC was only up 3.
#24 Nijel Pack – 6’1 PG 2020 – Lawrence Central (IN)
**19 points, 6 rebounds against Warren Central (IN)**
Pack is a guy that can get hot and he’s done that in a few games we have seen this year where he just goes off from deep. Now, though, he’s done better getting into the lane and finding paths to scoring in between the shooting so it’s more of a stretch rather than a random set of threes here and there. Loved the attacking mentality and if he can just add a little more of that and balance the scoring through each quarter of the game, that is really the next step.
#4 Manuel Brown – 6’1 PG 2019 – Warren Central (IN)
**10 points against Lawrence Central (IN)**
Brown isn’t having his best season but last night was more of a test of wills. He struggled a bit but really toughed things out and finished tough at the rim, trying to get plays made. The jumper just hasn’t been there for him when he’s needed it but attacking in transition has always been a staple as has finishing in traffic. He plays like he’s trying to find his role and if/when he does, he’s got the ability to be quite a bit better and be more of a producer with flow.
#11 Jesse Bingham – 6’5 SF 2019 – Warren Central (IN) [Committed to Indianapolis]
**12 points against Lawrence Central (IN)**
Bingham didn’t have a great game either but to show how far he has come in the last year, this would have been considered a stellar outing for him then. He’s doing so much more off the bounce and slashing to the rim. He wasn’t as effective in the paint and on the boards but was still active and the second half was much better than the first. He’s come a long way.
#12 Malik Stanley – 5’11 PG 2021 – Warren Central (IN)
**11 points against Lawrence Central (IN)**
Stanley has taken steps forward this year and last night, he showed some really confidence. He’s not the priority scorer, if Warren would even have one, but he could his spots hitting a three early and then late in the game, with WC only up 2 points, he hit two big free throws that ended up sealing the win. For a sophomore, in that moment to hit both and look that confident, it was huge. He’s progressed into the main ball handler for this team and as a guy that can set things up for his veteran teammates while still adding offense when it is needed.
#20 Isiah Moore – 5’10 PG 2019 – Warren Central (IN) [Committed to IU-East]
**13 points against Lawrence Central (IN)**
Moore continues to prove that he’s going to be a really good player in college because shooting translates well to NAIA and at IU-East, he could be a producer from Day 1. He’s shot the ball very well this year and has really been about as consistent as possible which was more of an issue when he was younger but not so much now. He’s still handling the ball well and can play the point at the next level but has also added the ability to drive more effectively to keep defenders backed up a bit when he does look to shoot. When in rhythm, there might not be a more lethal shooter in the state.
#10 Edreece Redmond – 5’10 PG 2020 – Bishop Chatard (IN)
**23 points against Indianapolis Tindley (IN)**
Edreece is a small but tough lead guard who wasn’t completely on tonight but made quite a few plays. He’s really good in the lane, using either hand to finish at the rim and showed a little floater that could develop more for him. Loves to elevate and hold near the rim but doesn’t quite have the touch yet. The jumper wasn’t fully locked in today but did hit a few and from deep. He’s at a stage of his development where he needs to pull it all together and limit some mistakes.
#20 Cooper Lewis – 6’3 SG 2019 – Bishop Chatard (IN)
**3 points against Indianapolis Tindley (IN)**
Cooper is a taller guard who can handle the ball pretty well and passes it at a high level. Showed the ability to play inside and out, rebounding the ball well for his position. Doesn’t have a ton of speed at the rim but has enough strength and size to be able to finish well against other guards. He’s got a decent release on the jumper but on this night the touch looked a bit off. Could be a solid wing that should develop better scoring ability at the next level.
#5 Noah Carter – 5’9 PG 2021 – Bishop Chatard (IN)
**3 points against Indianapolis Tindley (IN)**
Noah is a really small but skilled point guard. He’s decent off the bounce as a shooter and loves to make plays in the mid-range. Still learning to get his jumper off as a smaller player but when he does, he is pretty good with it. Doesn’t shoot it with too much of a push shot and the form should stick. Had a really good jumper from 10’ fading to his left. If he can get more size and add some strength, his skill and shooting should play up. He’s willing to play tough and get in there, just doesn’t yet have the body to do it all yet.
#11 Josiah Poole – 5’11 PG 2020 – Indianapolis Tindley (IN)
**15 points against Bishop Chatard (IN)**
Poole is a thin, smaller guard with some handles and a capable jumper. He’s not a guy that can get to the rim a ton right now but with a good perimeter jumper, he can keep defenders honest and get close enough that he can use his floater that he pulled out a handful of times successfully. Solid on-ball guard and will need to got for that position but would like to see a little more breakdown ability.
#33 D.J. White – 6’4 SF 2021 – Indianapolis Tindley (IN)
**1 point against Bishop Chatard (IN)**
White is a big forward with good size and strength already. He’s really mobile and seemed to play well around the rim. He’s not a guy that is going to be able to go out and make plays on the offensive end yet, but his rebounding and physicality are noticeable right now. Is a functional scorer when he has time in the post, more of just beginning the process of trying to score. Probably going to be more comfortable faced up.
#35 Christian DeCosta – 6’7 C 2021 – Indianapolis Tindley (IN)
**4 points against Bishop Chatard (IN)**
Christian is a big post player with a left hand and some touch around the rim. He’s a guy that is going to need some work getting coordinated and improving the footwork but he’s confident with his left hand and is capable with a little hook. Just needs to get more comfortable with his body. Thought he was a pretty solid rebounder with hands that are solid right now. Grabs quite a bit in his area and uses his length well.
#1 Wilante Hankston – 6’1 SG 2019 – Indianapolis Manual (IN)
**10 points against Cardinal Ritter (IN)**
Hankston is a big guard with tons of strength and built well with a wide upper body and length. He’s a guy that has shown to be more of a physical presence defensively while still providing shooting. He hit a couple threes off the catch last night. He’s best when he’s moving toward the basket rather than be standing still. It’s almost like night-and-day but he tends to take great shots. Not sure he’s a guy that you would have playing on the ball but can defend the point and would be an overwhelming presence at times. He even had a nice tip-in rebound where he had to use some speed and strength to finish the play.
#32 Jalen Johnson – 6’8 C 2019 – Indianapolis Manual (IN) [Committed to Alabama A&M]
**19 points against Cardinal Ritter (IN)**
Jalen continues to show that he might be able to expand his game with some time. He’s been playing much more like a true low post player but lately he’s been trying to shoot the ball more. While he’s not what you would consider a shooter, he’s getting better. The touch isn’t there yet as he can still be bad from the free throw line but he’s getting more and more comfortable with that. This is big because if he gets to that level in college, that could open up some doors for him to find more minutes.
#11 Caleb Redman – 6’2 SG 2019 – Indianapolis Manual (IN)
**18 points against Cardinal Ritter (IN)**
Redman is a really solid wing shooter with some length and size. He’s not a guy that is going to look to drive a ton but was pretty good as a shooter and is more comfortable out on the wing. He’s going to have to add more defensive effort at the next level but has the body and length to do more. For Caleb, he’s going to be able to give a guy that can hit shots anywhere from 12’ to 25’ with good range. He’s done really well with a lot of shots and has always been a fairly efficient scoring threat.
#40 Jacque Brandon – 6’6 PF 2021 – Indianapolis Manual (IN)
**5 points against Cardinal Ritter (IN)**
Brandon is a long, bouncy forward with great athleticism and some developing skill. Not really refined at the moment but that is okay as he’s solid of defense and effective as a low post scorer when he gets his chances. Thin frame but could fill out a bit but stay lean and athletic. Uses his length really well right now. Not a guy that is going to stretch the floor and shoot but was solid enough in transition to where he can be a playmaker, on both ends of the floor. Did hit a nice pull-up jumper from 6′ late in the game so if that can develop, could be interesting.
#30 Ijaz Abdulleman – 6’7 PF 2019 – Indianapolis Manual (IN)
**7 points against Cardinal Ritter (IN)**
Abdulleman is a strong forward with some size and touch around the rim. He’s a guy that will do a lot on the boards and in the paint. Had three quick shots all faced up around 6’ and was able to shoot and hit them all. Even got an and-one on one of them. He’s athletic enough to play in and up-and-down system and can finish well in transition but he’s best suited for dumpoffs and offensive rebounding right now. Could progress a little more at the next level.
#42 Nate Soltis – 6’5 PF 2019 – Cardinal Ritter (IN)
**14 points against Indianapolis Manual (IN)**
Soltis is a big forward who can do so much with his size and athleticism. He had a play last night where he grabbed the defensive rebound on one end and beat back Manual’s two guards and finish through contact at the other end. He did so using speed and it wasn’t really all that difficult for him. He’s one of, if not the best and more fierce rebounder in the state. Loves to play with toughness and can handle contact as well as anyone. While he didn’t really look to shoot the ball, he’s been a capable shooter and last night, the biggest change from last year to this one was his control. He wasn’t playing without purpose and was efficient with his energy while still be the most physical player on the floor.
#2 Marlon Anderson Jr. – 5’10 PG 2019 – Cardinal Ritter (IN)
**16 points against Indianapolis Manual (IN)**
Marlon is a big guard that was great last night as a pull-up shooter. He’s got the strength and toughness to be effective on the defensive end. However, at his best, he plays quick and well in transition where he can find space and get his jumper off. Good, quick release. He’s got some speed to him even though he’s a bigger guard but when he needs to, he can get to the rim with ease.
#23 Joey Gruber – 6’4 SF 2019 – Cardinal Ritter (IN)
**17 points against Indianapolis Manual (IN)**
Joey is a solid wing who showed that he can really shoot the ball. He’s got good size on the wing and could be growing a bit this past year. Gruber was good on the defensive end and created some key turnovers to help get out in transition for easier buckets. Showed he can play defensive better on guards than wings. He was good with his dribble-drive game too but is a little too dominant to his right hand. However, he’s a really good shooter and got hot for a bit and hit a couple late in the game to push the lead out. Best when in rhythm but also showed he can put it on the floor and get into the mid-range but still pull-up and hit.
#21 Dan Bayler – 6’0 SG 2019 – Cardinal Ritter (IN)
**20 points against Indianapolis Manual (IN)**
Dan is a solid guard who can play on or off the ball. He was great last night, driving the ball and creating fouls. Made his hay at the free throw line and made 9/11. Was good with the ball in his hands last night, not giving it up or pressing too much. Looked best as an on-ball guard as he has before and against some pressure as well. He’s a capable shooter, but might need to take a little bit more time to get it off. Seemed like he rushed a few last night and the release wasn’t like when he is more under control. However, still a good shooter and has enough skill to play at the next level.
#34 Damon Ogletree – 6’5 PF 2020 – Cardinal Ritter (IN)
**18 points against Indianapolis Manual (IN)**
Damon is along, lanky forward who isn’t super skilled right now but has found a role and executed it perfectly last night. He finished everything around the rim, doing most of it faced up on dumboffs and one-dribble finishes. It was about being quick to the rim and using his length to beat Johnson and some of the others from Manual. He lacked strength compared to his defenders but was just faster to the rim. Nothing creative, just effective. Got some big rebounds and was able to track it off the rim well and running a few down. Going to be a guy that could look a lot different in a year if he handles improve. Did think he was plenty capable of putting it on the floor and making plays but nothing more than 1-2 dribble right now.