10 Best: Park Hill (59), St. Joe Central (53)
10 Best: Park Hill (59), St. Joseph Central (53) Park Hill held a big lead in the semifinals of the Liberty North Invitational until late in the third quarter when the Indians cut its lead all the way to…
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10 Best: Park Hill (59), St. Joseph Central (53)
Park Hill held a big lead in the semifinals of the Liberty North Invitational until late in the third quarter when the Indians cut its lead all the way to 42-33 with 1:03 remaining in the frame. Park Hill scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, but Central again rallied and had the Trojans’ lead down to four (57-53) with 16 seconds remaining in the game.
Park Hill’s win sets up a compelling championship match-up on Friday against Liberty North on its home court. Liberty North is widely recognized as one of the toughest places to win.
Scouting report
St. Joseph Central Indians: Their backcourt has to be one of the best in the Kansas City area. They’re the closest thing to a two-man team as you’ll see. In the Indians game against Park Hill, Jaiden Bristol and Matt Austin combined for 28 of the Indians first 33 points. Everyone else knows their roles, plays tough defense, rebounds, and gets the ball to Nos. 5 and 10.
Park Hill Trojans: Might be one of the more talented teams in the Kansas City area on paper, but seem to be out of synch at times. They have tremendous depth with guys on the bench that might go on and play at the next level someday. Inside, Chester Graves and Roman Wilson are a tremendous 1-2 punch of scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. On the perimeter, Ronnie Bell, Dru Smith and Willy Majok are as talented a trio of guards as you’ll find. If they all get on the same page, look out.
MVP: Chester Graves (Park Hill). He is a four star recruit on the football field as a defensive end, and Central had few answers for him in the paint. Graves had several offensive rebounds, finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds and made several mid-range jumpers to boot.
Best offensive performance: Matt Austin (Central) and Jaiden Bristol (Central). These guys had a day, they both filled it up, going for 41 points. Both players can handle it, shoot it and know how to score. Bristol finished with 23 and Austin added 18.
Best defensive performance: Roman Wilson (Park Hill). At 6’10, he just completely swallows up everything in the paint. He’s a legit shot blocker that is a difference maker at the defensive end.
Best shooter: Matt Austin (Central). He’s one of the best shooters in the KC area and even with Park Hill trying to cover him up, he still found a way to make buckets.
Best rebounder: Chester Graves (Park Hill). Yea, Mr. Graves was all over the glass, this one isn’t even close. He’s a man child in the paint and he’s going to make a high major college football program very happy.
Best passer: Matt Austin (Central). This one is tough because Central really needed Austin to shoot, but he had some really nice looks, finding open teammates throughout the contest.
Best underclassman: Roman Wilson (Park Hill). With all due respect to everyone else, this one isn’t even close. Wilson is a 6’10 big man with terrific athletic ability and a wide array of skills.
Name to remember: Roman Wilson (Park Hill). He’s as talented a young big man as there is in the state. He already has several Division I offers and his stock will only continue to rise in the future.
Play of the game: Cecil Lee’s chase down block on Matt Austin, who appeared to have an easy lay-in after a steal. Lee is an athletic 6’4 2018 with a lot of potential.