Cleaning out the notebook: The Impact of Adams, Carsten, Martinez & Ramos
TexasHoops.com Recruiting Analyst Blue Zertuche took in four games in Central Texas, and below are his thoughts on prospects that were watched over the course of two days.
It has been said a hundred times, but once again, Austin Westlake's K.J. Adams is an animal. No matter how you try to defend Adams, he is a hard object to move. When Adams gets the opportunity to get settled on the block and take on anyone when he has the ball in his hands, it usually results in points. Also, Adams gets out into the running lanes in transition, and he attacks hard and runs hard to get all the momentum possible on his way to the basket. Whether it's rebounding or scoring, everything he does at the rim is with force. Adams shows an in-your-face overall game and don't allow him to get the ball from a shooting stance because he will size up the basket and sink the mid-range jumper. His range does extend out to the arc, but you want him where he can get to ball off a missed shot.
With his bulk, athleticism, and strength, Adams has versatility to his game and he is a tough match-up at the high school level.
Will Carsten has played his way into a Top 100 Ranking when the fInal Class of 2020 rankings are published here on TexasHoops.com. What we have learned about Carsten's game is that he is a tough blue-collar interior player. Carsten who is no stranger to the TexasHoops' staff has improved - a ton in a short amount of time. Carsten, as we have noted is a fantastic pitcher and concentrated on baseball during the summer months, but he has now dedicated his time to the sport of basketball while in season. He has the San Antonio Reagan Rattlers on the verge of making the playoffs as he is averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Carsten's game is simple as a big-man. Score, rebound and defend. At 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, Carsten displays nice footwork and soft hands in the post and moves extremely well for someone at his size.
Earlier in the month, it was the first glimpse that TexasHoops.com got of Xavier Martinez of San Antonio Churchill and the 5-foot-9 point guard knows how to play. Martinez played at a level that caught our attention and scored 36 points in a 3-overtime win against San Antonio MacArthur. The Chargers are still fighting for a playoff spot and looks toward their sophomore for not just his floor leadership, but his scoring punch he gives the team.
Martinez is the No.67 ranked player in the state according to our latest TexasHoops.com Class of 2022 Rankings. Martinez shows polished ball skills as the Chargers' main ball handler and can create for himself or his teammates. -But when a bucket is needed, Martinez can deliver with range past the arc. Defensively he can hit the gaps and start the break. He has a good IQ for the game and looks to only get better.
Gavino Ramos doesn't have an intimidating stature, and most would agree with that, but he is a remarkable scorer for San Antonio Antonian. That in itself is eye-popping of Ramos. He has a no-fear attitude and is poised and slippery as he makes his way to the basket. Ramos uses his long arms and skilled nature to score from anywhere on the court. As you watch Ramos with the ball you can see him examine the court and then quickly pick his next move, whether to pass it or score it. Antonian is seeking another TAPPS 6A title and Ramos has helped in leading Antonian to a 32 win season thus far.