Missouri Challenge: 10 That Impressed (Best Available)
The Missouri Basketball Challenge featured All-Stars from all regions of the state competing in tournament format, played on Friday and Saturday at Drury University in Springfield. The players who won their games returned to play on Saturday. Malik Barnett, Riverview…
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Continue ReadingThe Missouri Basketball Challenge featured All-Stars from all regions of the state competing in tournament format, played on Friday and Saturday at Drury University in Springfield. The players who won their games returned to play on Saturday.
- Malik Barnett, Riverview Gardens, St. Louis
Could have selected all five of the St. Louis players that finished up on Saturday, they can all play as evidenced by their run away win over South Central in the championship game. A 6-foot-3 guard, Barnett showed off an all-around game, getting to the bucket and knocking down outside jumpers. - Kyle Cavanaugh, Fair Grove, Southwest
At 6-foot-2, Cavanaugh is a high-scoring guard that has really improved his outside shooting stroke. Is good off the bounce and is among the states better guards that is still on the board. - Sam Marshall, Rolla, South Central
Wing that can really shoot it from long distance. At 6-foot-5, Marshall can put the ball on the floor a little, but is at his best when he has it dialed up from 3-point land. Made five 3s in the championship and led South Central team with 21 points. - DJ McNew, Mountain Grove, Southwest
An athletic kid, McNew was an all-state performer this year for Final Four Mt. Grove. Has some size at 6-foot-2 and can surprise you with a dunk. Has a nice mid-range game and range out to the 3-point line. Has drawn some interest from several NAIA programs. - Clabe Reed, Cairo, Northeast
Really like this kid’s game, is just everywhere. Listed at 6-foot-2, Reed has a big frame, is left handed and can do a little bit of everything. Always seemed to be in the middle of plays. Plays well without the ball, finishes tough chances in the paint. Had two really impressive games from what we saw, scoring 18 in the quarterfinals on Friday and 20 more in the semifinals on Saturday. - Darius Rice, Jennings, St. Louis
Was a Class 4 all-state performer this past season for Jennings, leading the squad to a 22-5 record. With Aaron Cook out with injury, Rice handled most of the some guard duties for a St. Louis squad that had five guys that could all handle the ball on Saturday. At 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, Rice is a wiry athlete with nice size and length. Led Jennings in scoring at 16.9 points and assists at 5.7 per game. Nearly had a perfect game in the championship, going 8 for 10 from the field, 2 for 2 from 3 and 5 for 5 at the free throw line en route to 23 points. - Will Rucker, Moberly, Northeast
Nice athlete with a big frame at 6-foot-6, 215-pounds that can do a lot of different things. Can shoot from the outside, handle the ball a little and defend multiple positions. Had several highlight reel worthy dunks on Friday and Saturday, including a stretch of three straight on Friday. Averaged 22.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game this past season for Moberly. Probably the best of the uncommitted players in the field. - Corey Shepherd, Hazelwood East, St. Louis
Big framed guard at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds, Shepherd really had it working from long distance throughout the weekend. Had 26 in a win on Friday, added 20 in a semifinal win on Saturday then scored 25 in the championship en route to MVP honors. Had a big season for Hazelwood East, averaging 18.9 points and 5.1 rebounds. Knocked down 61 3-pointers on the season. - Riley Simmons, Ozark, Southwest II
Was on the second of two SWMO teams. Can handle the ball and create his own shot, and really showed off the 3-point stroke in a loss to the Northeast team. Has nice body control that allows him to finish tough chances and can handle point guard duties. Might be a spot for him at the small school level somewhere. Had one of the tournament’s better performances going for 23 points on Friday. - Kobe Wands, Rolla, South Central
Probably didm’t show off all that he is capable of this past weekend in the MBCA Challenge, but Wands remains one of the state’s most decorated players that is still on the board. A four-year starter at Rolla, Wands has the ability really shoot it from down town and can lead a team with the best of them. We look for Wands to find a college home somewhere soon.