2027 Kevin Rodriguez (Elevation Prep)
A lineup that has plenty of guards, it was Rodriguez who captured our attention throughout the game with his balanced play. A shifty guard that is able to create and dish, score off the bounce, and put constant pressure on the defense; he showed that early in the game. But his balance of showing his outside game, playing off the ball, and being a threat with range really helped his team throughout the game.
2027 Sean Gere (Christ the King)
Gere is a guard who has a chance to make a name for himself, and this game certainly helped him even in a tough loss. Gere filled it up well throughout the game, showing confidence and shot-making from the floor. Whether it was attacking on strong drives, finishing over defenders, getting out in transition, or showing range off the ball, Gere proved he knows how to score effectively.
2026 Thanasi Papazis/ 2027 Noah McKinney (Sun Valley)
This was a team that was down nearly 30 points in the second quarter, but they never gave in and ended up coming all the way back to win. Though there were a few names that stood out, Papazis and McKinney really opened my eyes with their play throughout, as they brought so much energy to the court. These two guards competed on the defensive end, as they were running all over the court defensively and creating steals, playing with a non-stop motor. If they weren’t active defensively, they were attacking and not settling offensively, putting pressure on the defense, embracing contact, and constantly staying aggressive.
2026 Hezekiah Ponder (Parris Prep)
Ponder played a really good game overall in leading the charge for his team. He played with poise, control, and patience, making good reads and attacking the defense when he could. Ponder was able to effectively make plays off the bounce, getting paint touches consistently as well as knocking down shots. But he was also a strong playmaker for others on his team, as the point guard led the way for his team.
2026 Ryan Chen (Bull City Prep)
Chen was the leader in this one for Bull City, as he continues to showcase his ability to be a weapon on the court with his shot-making ability. He moves well without the ball, looking to find the openings in the defense and get to his spots from behind the arc. Chen is a big threat from behind the arc, something he has shown consistently over the years, but he also has added more to his game inside the arc.
2026 Nick Arnold (Davidson Day)
Arnold helped lead a balanced attack overall for Davidson Day and one can’t deny the impact he makes throughout the game, especially the little things he does for his team. He is always being active, whether offensively or defensively. Arnold scores well off the bounce, embraces contact, and finishes well or makes quality decisions to find teammates. Defensively, he can be a pest on the ball and continues to create steals that leads to extra opportunities for his team.