Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase: Recapping junior game

<p>I was only able to see the first half of the junior game of the Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase on Saturday, so this review won’t be as extensive as the ones I posted on the freshmen and sophomore games – but there was plenty to like in the first half from this group.</p><p>MOP: <strong>Ravel Moody</strong>. This 6-foot-3 wing from Thomas Jefferson looks much taller because of his great length – he plays like a 6-5 stretch with great handles. A couple hours after freshman Kenny Foster registered the second triple-double in the showcase’s history, Moody followed with the third – finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. Moody was in constant attack mode, getting to basket and finishing at the rim, or dishing off to a big. He attacked the glass, muscling bigger players for boards. Moody’s outside shot was impressive too, knocking down the 3-pointer with consistency. He has a very nice all-around game and will be the lynch-pin for what should be a very talented Spartans team.</p> <p>Other players who stood out included <strong>Elijah Blake</strong>, <strong>David Simental</strong>, <strong>Jamison Washington</strong> and <strong>Jervay Green</strong>.</p> <p>Blake is a powerful 6-foot-2 guard for a Rangeview team that might have the state’s largest collection of talent. Blake is quick, strong and possesses great ball-handling skills. He’s an under-the-radar prospect in the 2017 class that has a large amount of upside.</p> <p>Simental took over in the junior game during a stretch in the first half, nailing four straight 3-pointers at one point. The 6-foot-2 Pueblo West guard can get his shot in numerous ways: Pull-ups in transition, spot-ups of the catch, running around screen action and pulling up as the ball handler off of perimeter screens. He has a great, high-arching release. Simental can score in other ways to, and he was impressive while attacking in traffic on Saturday. He was one of the state’s top scorers as a sophomore last season and seems to only be improving.</p> <p>Washington, at 6-foot-2, is another solid all-around point guard in the class. He penetrates well, can get into the lane off his dribble. Washington showed great chemistry in finding big man Jake Belknapp, his teammate with Colorado Chaos’ top 16U squad. If Washington can become slightly more consistent on his outside shot, he could develop in to a solid low- to mid-D-I, high D-II prospect.</p> <p>Green, another member of George Washington’s highly talented young backcourt, is an athletic 6-foot-3 guard who can be dynamic offensively. He gets to the basket consistently and has nice touch on his jump shot. Has good speed and vision in the open court.</p>