Scouting Region 24 JUCO Semis
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance on Thursday night for a pair of semifinals at the Region 24 JUCO Tournament. The pair of contests were SWIC vs Shawnee followed by another classic between Vincennes and John A Logan. Here we break down…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance on Thursday night for a pair of semifinals at the Region 24 JUCO Tournament. The pair of contests were SWIC vs Shawnee followed by another classic between Vincennes and John A Logan. Here we break down how to top performers played and their projectablity at the next level.
SG Chris Darrington (Vincennes – Freshman)
The 6’1” Ohio native has taken it up a notch late in the season for Vincennes and that was definitely the case against Logan. Darrington is a rangy guard with broad shoulders and a frame he should continue to fill out with another off season in the weight room. His mid-range game was a thing of beauty. The smooth guard consistently got in the lane and hit pull up jumpers from 15-18 feet as well as floaters. Really handles it well in tight spaces and had a couple slippery drives through traffic. Works well in the high pick and roll. Hit the biggest shot of the game drilling a three as the shot clock expired late. Defensively he is projectable with his length being able to guard at the next level. Looks like a low-major prospect with the potential to be a mid-major guy after next season. Darrington went for 27 points.
PF Darren Groves (Vincennes – Sophomore)
Groves was a standout early for Vincennes. The wide and physical bodied 6’7” post is light on his feet for his size and quick to the glass. He rebounded at an incredible rate especially in the first half. Volume rebounder that plays with a motor and has a nose for getting rebounds. Also to start the second half showed some skill with a couple impressive spin moves as well as a face up cross over which he finished with his off hand. Definitely a better athlete than I gave him credit for earlier in the season. He also had a couple monster dunks including one where he hung on the rim and got his second technical foul midway through the second half. Groves had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Low-majors looking for a physical post that is a volume rebounder this would be a nice addition.
PF Justin King (Vincennes – Sophomore)
King is a player that sometimes flies under the radar, but when plays need to be made he is there. The sophomore 6’7” forward is a face up four man that has a versatile game. He can make a quick move off the bounce, get on the glass, and is great in the pick and roll/pop game. King is an adequate shooter that can knock down a three ball. Not a real drop it in the post and go score guy at this stage, but shows it every now and then. Strong body and plays with good energy. King had 15 points. Low-major prospect.
C Makur Puou (Vincennes – Sophomore)
At 6’9” Puou has a physical frame with tremendous strength, length, and athleticism. He is a force on the defensive end with his shot blocking ability. One of his swats he got up so high he blocked it more with his elbow than hand. Puou is an explosive leaper off the floor and that shows through with his shot blocking, rebounding, and offensively. Puou gets up high on his finishes and had several times where he changed his shot while in the air. Great agility around the rim and is improving as an offensive player. Solid rebounder that should do the same at the next level. Hit one mid-range jumper while bricking a second. Puou had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Mid-major prospect that should be a priority for low-majors looking for post players.
PF Tamas Bruce (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Bruce was a standout for Logan. The 6’7” Arkansas native is a high energy four man that is uber athletic. He showed that off with his abilty to get on the glass on both ends of the floor. Bruce was snatching rebounds left and right using his quickness and feel for where it was coming off the glass. Plus offensive rebounder that was extremely active. Runs the floor tremendously well. Had a couple of monster dunks on quick passes from his guards. Lacks a high skill level, but if coaches focus on what he does well and play to his strengths he can be a mid-major four man that brings a lot to a team. Bruce left the game with about 5 minutes to go with a leg cramp. He finished with 19 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
SG Devontavius Payne (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Payne is Logan’s go to scorer. The lefty 6’2” shooting guard struggled early from the field not being able to connect on his shot from deep. He did get to the free throw line at a high rate in the first half to get his team back in the game. The second half he showed off his offensive arsenal. Payne started off with a couple strong drives to the hoop for scores and that opened up his perimeter game where he bombed a few in with his sweet looking shot. Also had a couple nice passes in the second half. Payne had 28 points. His height at the two guard spot might be a concern to some, but as a second or third scoring option he should fit in nicely at the mid-major/low-major level.
SF Ranell Crossland (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Crossland is a St. Louis product that stands at 6’6” with a strong and physical body for a wing. The small forward gets out in transition where he finishes and also got to the line at a good clip. Hit a mid-range jumper early in the contest. Crossland played with a solid activity level on the glass. He went for 11 points and 6 rebounds.
F Christopher Galbreath (SWIC – Sophomore)
Extremely impressed by this 6’6” combo forward. He has very long arms and an angular frame. What he does at a high level is rebound the basketball. Galbreath is a monster on the glass on both ends of the floor using his never ending motor to get on the glass. Particularly effective on the offensive glass with his quickness getting second chance points because of it. Galbreath has shown he can handle it a little in transition getting up the floor with his long strides. He has good form on his free throws. Other than that not overly skilled offensively. Mostly an athletic energy guy that plays with a motor and hits the glass. Defensively his mobility allows him to guard multiple positions. Should be under consideration by low-major programs. He had 16 points.
PG De’Antae McMurray (SWIC – Sophomore)
McMurray played the semifinal game a bit banged up from an injury the previous day, but in limited minutes the Drake commit looked good. He started off a bit slow, but once he got in a rhythm SWIC began to roll. McMurray is a fluid passer that excels in the drive and kick game. He sees the floor and makes skip passes across the floor with ease hitting his shooters right in the pocket with crisp dishes. McMurray is an adequate three point shooter especially off the catch. He has just been a calming force for SWIC with the ball in his hands especially when teams pressure them full court. McMurray had 10 points and 3 dimes.
PF Dorian Butler (SWIC – Sophomore)
This 6’6” power forward has a thick body and isn’t a great athlete, but he can really shoot the basketball. Face up four man that can stroke it from deep. Also is a plus free throw shooter that had a lot of those. Solid rebounder. Butler went for 13 points. Projects as a small school prospect.
SG Bo Burkhart (SWIC – Sophomore)
Burkhart is a tough shooting guard that really competes on both ends of the floor. Played solid defense with active hands, but he is best shooting the ball from the perimeter. Struggled early in the game with connecting from deep. Did end up drilling a pair of threes off the catch. That is what he is going to be at the next level. Improved passer from his high school days as well. Finished with 6 points.
SG Satchel McDonald (Shawnee – Freshman)
McDonald is a 5’11” freshman scoring guard from St. Louis. He was Shawnee’s most productive player against SWIC. The guard is small and has a pudgy body, but gets the job done. He is a plus perimeter shooter drilling several in the catch and shoot with height off the floor. McDonald had 17 points.