Howard 77 White River 75 – The Top Ten Players

<p>Counting down the top ten players from the Howard vs White River Classic and why each was a standout (and likely a player colleges should check on). </p> <p>Ten. <strong>July Schmidt</strong> (6’4 Sr C) of White River.  The Tigers used three different players are the five spot in this game and July was the most efficient in terms of defensive positioning and battling for spots in the post. </p> <p>Nine. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="968165" first="Dylan" last="Marshall"]</strong> (6’1 Jr SG) of White River.  Marshall had one of his rougher games missing on 11 of 13 shots but you can tell that he’s a key player for the Tigers.  A key part of how the ball moves for the team and based on the scoring approach I would guess he’s usually going to be a double figure scorer.  Off night scoring wise, but did dish out four assists and grab five boards. </p> <p>Eight. <strong>Ryder Erickson</strong> (5’9 Soph PG) of Howard. Erickson is a stocky, strong lead guard that used his size to get the advantage of his thinner counter part.  Erickson scored four times on seven shots plus kept good touches in the hands of the top three scoring options.  Solid game of nine points, four boards, and four assists. </p> <p>Seven. <strong>Nicolas Marshall</strong> (6’0 Fr PG) of White River. Anxious to see how Marshall develops going forward.  As a young talent, Marshall’s understanding of the game is exciting.  The way he angled his man to bad spots on the floor and consistently defended in position is impressive.  Also, Marshall’s ability to snap the ball from one wing to the other allowed the three Tiger shooting threats to have good shots all game long.  Decent size (height), strong court IQ, excellent passer, this is one of the better freshmen in the state.  Keep an eye on Nicolas Marshall. </p> <p>Six. <strong>Brayden Hinker</strong> (6’3 Jr SF) of Howard.  Hinker took advantage of every opportunity that came his way.  Brayden scored 14 points on six of six shooting including two threes.  Hinker never rushed an attempt, just took open shots within the rhythm of the offense.  </p> <p>Five. <strong>Jace Sifore</strong> (6’4 Jr C) of Howard.  Love the Sifore touch going at the rim. Jace is a lefty that other defenders weren’t ready for.  His face-up crossover out of the post is high quality and his spin  move into a small window finish is impressive.  He faced a 6-foot-9 immobile big and scored, he faced a long and fairly agile 6-foot-6 post and scored, and he faced a strong and stocky 6-foot-3 post and scored. All types of players, Jace went at them for 14 points and six boards on 6 of 10 shooting.  </p> <p>Four. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="975531" first="Tisyn" last="Spader"]</strong> (6’4 Sr SF) of Howard.  Spader had one of his tougher games scoring wise but his all around contributions were so important.  Spader has good size as a wing and moves his feet laterally to the needed defensive spots with ease.  He boards well (had six), moved the basketball to scorers in the right spots (five assists), and used his size, skill, and agility to put 11 points on the board.  Was 3-4 inches bigger than the player guarding him but Spader looked just as agile if not more. </p> <p>Three. <strong>Colbe Scott</strong> (6’0 Sr SG) of White River.  The shooting stroke of Colbe Scott was on versus Howard and it gave his team a chance to the final buzzer. Scott was seven of ten from the field including four shots made at the arc.  Nothing was forced but when he had space Colbe showed off a quick, confident release for his 18 points.  Scott is a battler too that chased down seven boards plus his understanding of the offense meant he forced nothing, and had three assists. </p> <p>Two. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="975518" first="Sam" last="Aslesen"]</strong> (6’7 Sr Forward) of Howard.  Sam was the best all around player in the game.  Offensively he brought the ball up the floor as the point guard, moved the ball to the wing without forcing anything, and then moved to the wing or the post to score his 27 points on 12 of 17 shooting!  Sam was the best low post player in the game showing off a great spin move, a quick shoulder turn into a step-back jumper, and one hand touch off the balanced move.  He also played on the perimeter attacking to score or squaring up and hitting jumpers.  What else?  Sam was the toughest and smartest rebounder in the game grabbing a dozen boards.  Clutch?  Scored the game tying bucket and the game winner at the buzzer off a putback.  Outstanding performance. Game MVP.  The PHD senior prospect rankings will be updated soon and Sam will in a top ten area spot. </p> <p>One. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963747" first="Joe" last="Sayler"]</strong> (6’3 Soph SG) of White River.   The most talented prospect in the game was [player_tooltip player_id="963747" first="Joe" last="Sayler"].  All you had to do was see Sayler crossover his man (left to right, or right to left), or turn on a ball screen, or create space into a jumper and it was very clear.  If that wasn’t enough, Sayler’s body control moving around the help defenders and scoring with touch shots over the top or extending with the finger roll likely proved it.  He also took the game over late scoring an And1, a transition attack, and two monster threes.  The final possession of the game he looked to pass it and it didn’t work but don’t hold that against him, Sayler was clutch.  He scored 38 points on 14of 24 shooting that included five threes plus five of six foul shooting. Add in six boards and five assists and you have one of the top couple sophomore prospects in the state. </p>