Nevada 4A Playoff Preview: 8 Key Breakout Performers
With the 4A playoffs beginning this week now is the perfect time to highlight some of the players that figure to be key to the success of their team. In this article, PH takes a look at some of the…
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Continue ReadingWith the 4A playoffs beginning this week now is the perfect time to highlight some of the players that figure to be key to the success of their team. In this article, PH takes a look at some of the players poised for a breakout playoff run.
Dante Davis 5’11 PG Liberty 2020 (#50PHN 2020) – Perhaps no player is more important to the success of their team than Davis. It’s pretty simple when Davis plays well the Patriots are tough to beat. The PG plays with some terrific scorers so his ability to knock down open shots changes the entire dynamic of the team. Opposing defenses are never going to leave Julian Strawther or Kobe Stroughter, and they are going to have to send bodies to Joshua Jefferson when he posts up. That leaves Davis as the player most likely to be left alone if he can consistently knock down those looks, the rest of the state is in trouble.
Coleman Lemke 6’7 SF Faith Lutheran 2021 (#30PHN 2021) – Some guys just need to see the ball go through the net. This is often the case of Lemke. A versatile stretch 4, Lemke loves to play pick and pop basketball. When his shot is falling, he causes so many mismatches for opposing teams because of his size, length and perimeter skills. Faith is one of the most intriguing playoff teams if Lemke plays well this team has a chance to make a run.
Andrick Santillan 6’4 SG Cheyenne 2022 (#5PHN 2022) – Santillan is a versatile guard, that prefers setting up teammates to scoring for himself. He has size and quickness to defend 3 positions. He needs to be a consistent 3rd option for Cheyenne. If he does that, it will take a load off of Glenn Taylor and fellow sophomore Donavan Webster.
Ethan Marcus 5’9 PG Palo Verde 2020 (#70PHN 2020) (featured image) – Very quietly Ethan Marcus has put together a solid season for Palo. When he’s healthy he provides another dimension for the squad. He’s a knockdown shooting PG that can both organize the offense as well as space the floor. Palo is a very deep team but the one thing every contending team can always use is more shooting. If they can get that from Marcus, I expect the Panthers to make a run.
Tavionte Jackson 6’0 PG Las Vegas 2022 (#11PHN 2022) – The stage is Jackson’s I like players who have a tangible impact on the success of their team, and perhaps no player has done that this season better than Jackson. The PG has shown that he can score off the bounce, shoot it in catch and shoot situations, create plays for his teammates and rebound at a high level. He has been magnificent this season, now can the sophomore transfer that production into the postseason?
Zarius Benson-Moore 6’4 SG Canyon Springs 2020 (#30PHN 2020) – ZBM has been one of the top two way players in the state. His size and length make him a huge problem for perimeter players and his knockdown shooting ability is key for Canyon. The Pioneers already have the conference player of the year, if Moore can continue to score at a high level, they may have one of the most dangerous 1-2 punches in the playoffs.
Jacob Howard 6’5 PF Durango 2021 (#43PHN 2021) – For Howard, it’s not so much his scoring, but his ability to defend down low and rebound at a high level, that will be key. Durango is a legit title contender. They will need Howard to step up in spot minutes to ensure that one of their strengths remains a strength. They have one of the deepest frontcourts in the state, Howard simply has to make sure there is no drop off in production in that frontcourt when he comes into the game.
Desmond Green 6’9 PF Silverado 2021 (#72PHN 2021) – Silverado is another team with championship aspirations. Green is a microcosm of the size and potential of the Skyhawks. An elite rim protector if Green can stay out of foul trouble and protect the rim at a high level, the Skyhawks have a chance to make a deep run.