Class of 2021: Summer Superlatives
As the first high school football scrimmages wrap up its time to close the door on the summer grassroots season. Following is a list of superlative categories and skill sets to try and encapsulate a summer full of showcases, circuits…
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Continue ReadingAs the first high school football scrimmages wrap up its time to close the door on the summer grassroots season. Following is a list of superlative categories and skill sets to try and encapsulate a summer full of showcases, circuits and big-time tournaments. I wasn’t able to get out of state as much as I hoped so there some omissions and plenty of our teams traveled this summer and I got to watch a few through BallerTV so this evaluation is from players that I personally seen.
Best Overall Prospect/– Jalen Weaver – Billups Elite
Weaver went from a pretty good prospect to one of the state’s best in a matter of a few months. He had a successful sophomore season in which he put up some solid numbers, but with having to share the court with the Gatorade Player of the Year last season he had to take a bit of a back seat, but that is not to go without saying that Weaver was not a star in his own right. What Weaver did in the Spring as well as the summer catapulted him up the list and he also jumped onto the national radar as he is now ranked in the country. Weaver is as complete of a player as there is. He defends well with hard-nosed defense, has chase-down blocks and on the offensive end is a mismatch. He plays under control and the game slows down for him. He has great court vision, can knock down his shot defensively and creates for himself and others around the rim. His athleticism mixed with his IQ is what separates him and he has the size and skill to play 1-3. Weaver was this summer’s MVP and the expectations are high for him heading into a big junior campaign that should have plenty of Division I schools knocking on those Smoky Hill doors.
Runner Up – Julian Hammond – Billups Elite (We already knew that Hammond was good but what he did this summer was solidify himself and keep himself in the category of Top-3 in the class. He shot the ball well, upped his defensive play and turned some heads on the national scene as Billups Elite competed well on the circuit. Hammond is a Division I talent that will surely get more DI offers this season.)
Best Handle – Garrett Arnold – 5280 Hoops
I did not get to see Arnold a ton this summer but when I did see him, he was slicing up defenses. He is a creative passer with great vision but also is able to keep plays alive with his ball handling. He is always looking up the court and the defense understands he is a highlight play ready to happen. He has a solid left to right, high IQ that makes moves that are going to free himself up instead of just a crossover to have a crossover. At the Centennial Grandstand this summer Arnold was penetrating the defense with moves and showcasing his control with the ball. Big year coming up for Arnold where he will be asked to run the show again at guard, it will be up to him to keep getting better.
Runner Up – Curtis Stovall – Colorado Miners (Stovall is not one that automatically comes to mind when thinking about crossing a player over but when it comes to creating for himself for an easy finish he leads the pack. Stovall is a straight to the point player but that does not mean he does not have complete control of the ball. He will break you down as he is tough to stay in front of and will finish with either hand or find the open man. Stovall can play off-ball but is also lethal with the ball in his hands.)
Best Athlete/Leaper – DeAngelo Horn – Billups Elite
When it comes to leaping ability, Horn is in a class of his own. He just might be the state’s most athletic player regardless of class. Horn’s aerial antics have made it easy for others around him as all you have to do is put it in the area and he is going to go up there and get it. He also is able to put the ball on the court and is lethal on the fast break as it is difficult to slow him down. He is a quick jumper that gives his team momentum with each ensuing dunk and is jumping up our rankings chart in the process as the rest of his game is starting to come along. Horn is not afraid to challenge other players at the rim and his highlight dunks from this summer had him as a standout that needs some recognition.
Runner-Up: Trevaughn Williams –Colorado Hawks (Williams is one of the best alley-oop players I got to see this summer. Players were throwing it off of the backboard, running plays where they throw it up and he got a few put back dunks and when he gets it on the perimeter he hits defenders with a shot fake and then soars for the dunk. I would like to see Horn, Williams and Skylar Wilson compete against each other in a dunk contest.)
Best Shooter – Cade Palmer – Colorado Miners
With Hammonds already being a runner-up for Player of the Summer it was time to shift to a player that would be in the conversation for the classes best shooter regardless and that is what you get from Palmer. Palmer can shoot lights out and always finds himself open. He moves well without the ball and makes intelligent plays from the guard spot to set himself up for success. Palmer can shoot off of the dribble, come off of screens and executes plays to perfection. He has range and is also not a player that can ONLY shoot the ball which opens things up for the offense. Palmer is a player that you can put on any team as he fits in seamlessly no matter the surrounding players. He is a high energy player that gives his all on every single possession and when you have a shooter of his caliber you are going to get the best plays from your unit. He is a shot maker that is not afraid of the moment and he showcased that all summer.
Runner Up: Myles Purchase – Billups Elite (Every single time that I see Purchase he is knocking down shots. He plays with great pace and is always under control. He can warm up at any moment and once he sees one goes in he is in a zone as a player you have to guard as soon as he crosses half-court.)
Best Post – Nolan Marold – Colorado Hawks
This is a class that does not have many traditional centers, especially with all of the bigger players being interchangeable and able to step out on the wing but one that is remaining is Marold who is as strong as you get on the block. He can play with his back to the basket on offense and gets plenty of put-back baskets with his activity on the boards. He is also a defender that alters plenty of shots on the interior and makes it difficult for the opposition. He has good feet and moves well and uses his strength to overpower the opposition. Marold had a summer where he was able to showcase all of his skills and has a big year coming up where he must elevate his game to keep Thunder ridge as a team to look out for.
Runner Up: Aaron Jacob – Boykins Basketball (Jacob is starting to come into his own on the perimeter as he transitioning with his size. He is a unique big man as he is 6’7, but still able to shoot it from deep. Jacob has progressed each time I have seen him and is a player that is difficult to guard as he is very active on the offensive end. He shows the potential to be a legitimate inside-outside threat with a penchant for hitting the long ball. This season he will have to be a bit more productive on both ends of the ball but this summer it was encouraging to see him employ his diverse skill set with increased comfort. Big year upcoming.)