Standout Guards @ the ZG: C vs C & Wheel of Winning Tournaments
More names to know from last weekend’s Zero Gravity, Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament. The theme of this list, dynamic and unselfish floor generals who pushed the pace and played hard-nosed defense. Brendan McNamara Brendan McNamara 5'11" | PG Noble &…
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Continue ReadingMore names to know from last weekend’s Zero Gravity, Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament. The theme of this list, dynamic and unselfish floor generals who pushed the pace and played hard-nosed defense.
Brendan McNamara Brendan McNamara 5'11" | PG Noble & Greenough School | 2022 NLG | 5’11” | Point-Guard (Ball Mover) | Noble and Greenough | Middlesex Magic | 2022
Showcasing a shifty quick-twitch east-west game, McNamara also conveyed a smoothness and fluidity to his game, especially in the open floor. He played with a controlled and measured pace, but McNamara set the game’s tempo when needed. Opportunistic off the dribble, McNamara is a ball mover as he made several high-level one-handed passes after an initial slash. Able to generate high speeds going downhill, McNamara also showed the ability to elevate at the rim after creating an initial advantage. While he never took shots outside of the flow of the offense, McNamara showed out with a fluid stroke from deep and the ability to create his shot off the dribble. On defense, his ball denial skills were apparent. He put a high level of effort into his defensive slides and created havoc, pressuring the point of attack. Willing to apply pressure on the press, I was impressed overall with McNamara’s focus and even-keeled demeanor throughout Saturday’s victory.
Gavin Carter Gavin Carter 6'0" | PG Milton Academy (MA) | 2023 State NLG | 6’0″ | Point guard (Ball Mover) | Milton Academy | Middlesex Magic | 2023
A pass-first playmaker, Carter’s ability to pierce the paint going full speed, collapse the defense, and distribute out of the drive-and-kick game was something that stood out on the weekend. A high motor guard with lightning-quick instincts, speed, and decisiveness in the open floor going downhill helped create easy looks for others. Relentless in the pace-pushing department, he was one of the quickest guards of the weekend, especially in a straight line, but also showcased a high-level understanding of the game and overall great basketball instincts in the read-and-react setting. Receptive to instruction, Carter did a great job of communicating different plays in the half-court setting. With a fluid stroke from deep, Carter can also use his speed to explode off the dribble and finish at the rim. Circling back the following week to watch Carter play in the Wheel of Winning, I also to see his ability to apply pressure in a press and hound his opponent without fouling.
@Gavin_Carter23 @TaQuanWilliams7 @RyanMacLellan23 and Rollie Castineyra all doing a great job pressuring the ball handler 94 feet from the floor. Good defensive slides and overall intensity.
— Prep Hoops New England (@PHNewEngland) March 27, 2021
Rollie Castineyra | 6’2″ | Point guard with off-ball capabilities | St. John’s Prep | Middlesex Magic | 2023
Steadiness, fluidity, and focus are the four words I’d use to describe Castineyra’s game. With a tight handle and willingness to play off the ball, Castineyra’s fluid stroke and ability to tightly come off screens helped create an added ounce of spacing for the Magic. He made high-level decisions handling the ball in the pick and roll action and took the right shots operating off the ball as a spot-up threat. His balance as a shooter impressed, as he caught the ball with ease and did a great job of squaring up to the basket, displaying exceptional off-ball footwork. Castineyra plays with a next-play mindset. He continuously applied pressure on the ball with his poised domineer and collected several steals after a made basket with effort and high-level anticipatory skills.
Nice triple to close out the half. Magic up by double digits. pic.twitter.com/Nebev5y4AF
— Prep Hoops New England (@PHNewEngland) March 21, 2021
Jack Stowell | 6’0″ | Combo-guard with the ability to play off the ball | Falmouth | Middlesex Magic | 2022
A fierce competitor with endless energy, Jack Stowell came through as a lighting-rod type scorer during the Magic’s decisive Sunday victory. Stowell caught fire and never looked back as he ran to spots with intent, pulled up with speed, and converted on several contested movement looks from deep. He has the versatility to play both on and off-ball spots as a guard. I was impressed with his off-ball speed and constant ability to fill the lanes on the fast break. Stowell was the scoring catalyst that propelled the Magic’s early first-half scoring run. He brought a high level of effort and energy to the defensive side of the floor and played with basketball with a tireless motor. Constantly high-fiving and motivating his teammates, Stowell’s energy and offensive aggressiveness stood out throughout the weekend.
With movement shooting as a sought after skill, Jack Stowell was catching and firing on all cylinders. Fluid shooting stroke, vocal teammate, high energy player with a quick release. @MiddlesexMagic pic.twitter.com/wzZDq5Y3lP
— Prep Hoops New England (@PHNewEngland) March 21, 2021
Daejon Gibson | 5’8″ | Point guard | Wareham | Bay State Jaguars | 2023
Daejon Gibson showed out as a dynamic ball-handler who continuously created his advantage of the live dribble. With the ball in his hands, he made many high-level decisions, both with the shot and pass, as this skillset will translate well at the next level. Shifting gears with the ball in his hands, he did a great job finding open seems and driving lanes. Gibson did an impressive job of creating his own shot with limited space with a silky-smooth floater and great elevation on his jump shot. Gibson’s remarkable ability to read defenses off a live dribble was noteworthy as shot creation off a live dribble becomes an even more sought-after skill for lead guards.
Nice finish by Daejon Gibson, @BayStateJags, has the ball on a string pic.twitter.com/Y4ZfEV3saP
— Prep Hoops New England (@PHNewEngland) March 21, 2021
Rohit Srinivasan | 5’10″ | Point guard capable of playing off the ball | Andover | Middlesex Magic | 2023
Talk about two-way effort and on-ball force with a constant motor and willingness to talk on defense; Rohit Srinivasan was in full gear as a lead ball-hander. Echoing Kirk Hinrich’s effort level with his relentless ball pressuring after a made shot, Srinivasan stood out with his speed and decision-making, which translated to both ends of the floor. With a smooth midrange game and fundamental mechanics on his shot, Srinivasan constantly made key passes both in transition and half-court sets as he was instrumental in helping secure several Magic wins on the weekend. Willing to defend all 94 feet, Srinivasan did a great job navigating his way through screens and staying attached to his opponent’s hip as he brought energy and attention to detail, especially on defense.
Nice look ahead and second effort. Jags in the lead 61-60 with 2:13 left pic.twitter.com/9rUCSxKCx7
— Prep Hoops New England (@PHNewEngland) March 27, 2021
Lateef Patrick | 6’2” | Shooting guard who can guard up | Milton High School | Middlesex Magic | 2022
Yet another high-motor, infectious energy guard with crafty handles and an explosive off-the-dribble game, Lateef Patrick showed out as one of the top points of attack defenders of the weekend. He covered a lot of ground with his defensive slides as he also took turns switching and guarding the opposing big, holding his ground against taller post threats. Capable of scoring at all three levels, Patrick made several high-level decisions off the live dribble, especially with the pass on his rim attacks. Capable of blowing by his defender, I was impressed with his burst off the live dribble and ability to control his finishes and contort himself around opposing forces. With a springy second effort, Patrick also made his name known on the boards as his positional versatility stood out over the weekend.
@Lateefpatrick_ was another difference maker, active arms on defense, pushed the ball with force and took shots within the flow of the offense. Explosive leaper who made some impressive and controlled one handed passes. pic.twitter.com/72n1ZfOalJ
— Prep Hoops New England (@PHNewEngland) March 21, 2021