MAC Shootout: Top Guards
The Mid-America Center hosted the 15th annual MAC Shootout this weekend, pitting several teams along the Iowa-Nebraska border against one another. These were players who performed best at the guard position: Austin Schubert – Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson Not blessed…
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Continue ReadingThe Mid-America Center hosted the 15th annual MAC Shootout this weekend, pitting several teams along the Iowa-Nebraska border against one another. These were players who performed best at the guard position:
Austin Schubert – Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson
Not blessed with the best touch or skill, Austin is forced to rely on his strength and control to make his mark on the court. He is a stout guard, and scored 17 points against Nebraska City largely thanks to his weight displacing defenders. He has a good handle of the basketball, which made it even more difficult for his opponents to bother him and disturb his path. He was able create several open looks from three by collapsing the defense.
Josh Dix Josh Dix 6'5" | SG Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2022 State #149 Nation IA – Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
Dix found himself and his team down 23 points to Bellevue West in the third quarter. The Thunderbirds athleticism and length were overwhelming the Lynx, until Dix settled in in the second half to make this a game. Abraham Lincoln was able to force some misses, and Dix took the ball and went off running in transition. He has excellent speed at his size, and created some easy buckets for his team by getting out and running. In the half-court he showed off a really nice pullup game. He hit about a 25-foot pull up jumper to bring his team all the way back within one point. He fought hard all the way until the end, but his team ultimately fell to Bellevue West by two points.
Chucky Hepburn Chucky Hepburn 6'1" | PG Bellevue West | 2021 State #77 Nation NE – Bellevue West
Chucky didn’t have a great offensive day, although he still managed 17 points and 4 assists. It was his defense, as it usually is, that defined his play on Friday. Josh Dix Josh Dix 6'5" | SG Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2022 State #149 Nation IA had a great day, unless Chucky was guarding him. He was up Dix’s shirt, not letting him breathe, get a step, or relax at any time. His intensity continued to his off-ball defense where he bothered his assignments by subtle grabbing and touching. All legal moves, but incredibly irritating if you are an offensive player trying to play in a rhythm. Near the end of the game, Chucky scored a tough turnaround jumper and a floater in traffic that helped Bellevue West hang on to their win.
Brandon Orgilbold Brandon Orgilbold 6'1" | SG Elkhorn North | 2022 State NE – Elkhorn North
It did not look pretty to start. There were a few badly missed perimeter shots by Brandon Orgilbold Brandon Orgilbold 6'1" | SG Elkhorn North | 2022 State NE , but he reassessed how he could attack the defense, and ultimately finished the night with 19 points. He worked hard to get in the lane. He initiated the contact on several baskets for several 3-point plays the old-fashioned way. He didn’t shoot well from deep, but in the second half he had a few catch and shoot opportunities that looked great coming out of the hand, and did a great job of getting his body in motion before the ball ever arrived. He hit an impressive stepback three-pointer at the top of the key to tie the game and send it to overtime, but Elkhorn North fell to Lewis Central 52–48 once it was all over.
Manny Hammonds Manny Hammonds 6'2" | SG Grand View Christian | 2022 State IA – Grand View Christian
Manny’s game against St. Albert was moderate by his standards, but it was eye-catching nonetheless. As I’ve written before, he is one of the best pick and roll ball-handlers in Iowa. His ability to change pace and direction while using screens is advanced for this level. His movement is usually good enough to open a lane to either pass in to or drive through, but his length is always there to bail him out if he needs just a bit more room. He finished the day with 19 points, and I don’t think he broke a sweat putting that up.