Hoops By Ugland Fall HS Showcase: Underrated Guards (Part II)

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">ONTARIO — The inaugural Hoops By Ugland Fall High School showcase brought together 20 of Southern California's well-known programs, in addition to some looking to get their school on the map, and a prep school program from Arizona.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The one day event featured 18 games inside the Colony high school gymnasium with highly recruited and under-the-radar players showing out in their respective games. Below you will find evaluations and analysis of the some of the most underrated guard performances of the day.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Jake Martin</strong>, Anaheim Canyon</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Martin embodies the term “knock down shooter.” The 6-foot-2 senior has fundamental shooting mechanics and a quick release which helps him get his shot off under pressure. Martin stays balanced through his release and lands in the same spot he elevates from on his jumper.</span></p> [caption id="attachment_845274" align="alignright" width="300"] Murrieta Mesa point guard Lewis Singleterry is a sophomore to monitor over the next three seasons.[/caption] <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Lewis Singleterry</strong>, Murrieta Mesa</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">What stood out most about Singleterry was the high motor he played with on both ends and the leadership qualities he brought to the floor. The 5-foot-10 point guard has a strong, compact frame which he uses to bully his way into the paint offensively, where he can score through contact or find an open teammate. The sophomore also uses that strength well on the defensive end, walling-up on guards to cut off driving lanes to keep them out of the key.<br /> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Caden Starr</strong>, Santa Clarita Christian</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Starr is the definition of a table-setter. The senior has uncanny size and feel for the point guard position at 6-feet-7. He's a willing passer, sometimes to the detriment of his own offensive looks, and delivers them on time, on target and can dish accurately with either hand. Starr is always looking to advance the ball up the court in transition.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Liam Woodrum</strong>, Anaheim Canyon</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Woodrum is one of the fastest players in all of SoCal with the ball in his hands. He darts from end-to-end with the ball on a string and can change direction without losing speed which makes him nearly impossible to stop on the break. The 6-foot point guard has a wiry, but strong frame and is, pound-for-pound, one of the more crafty and efficient finishers you'll find. Woodrum, a junior, needs to become more consistent as a 3-point shooter.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Bradley Xie</strong>, Damien</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Xie won't “wow” you with flashy passes or acrobatic finishes around the basket, but the 6-foot sophomore always seems to make the high IQ basketball play. Xie is a steady lead guard presence off the bench for Damien and executes their offense to a T. He doesn't over-handle in transition or half-court settings and can knock down the open perimeter shot to spread the floor.</span></p>