Ten Best: Francis Howell vs. Webb City
After trailing 13-5 at the end of the first quarter, Francis Howell used a game-changing 18-3 run to start the second quarter to help secure a 66-53 win over Webb City in the quarterfinals of the Kaminsky Classic in Joplin. Senior Mike Brohm led the way with 21 points for Howell. Terrell Kabala and Alex Pickett each scored 14 points for Webb City.
MVP: Daylan Dalton, Francis Howell (2019)
He’s one of the most dynamic players I’ve seen with the ball in his hands all year. His ability to get into the paint via dribble penetration and find people or finish is impressive. Webb City struggled to stay in front of him in the game’s final three quarters, the Vikings were +21 in that time. He scored five points but consistently created offensive for everyone else. Defensively he is able to pressure the ball anywhere on the floor because of his quickness. If you’ve seen him on a football field then you understand the 5’7 sophomore is a gifted athlete. His future in either sport is bright.
Offensive MVP: Mike Brohm, Francis Howell (2017)
The 6’5 forward came in averaging a double-double (15 PPG, 9.6 RPG) and he did nothing to hurt those numbers on Thursday. Webb City held him scoreless in the first quarter, but he responded by going for 21 in the final three quarters, 11 of which came in the fourth. He’s long with a soft touch and great footwork. He also understands rim running. He’s a fun player to watch because of his contagious effort.
Best Underclassman: Terrell Kabala, Webb City (2020)
The 6’1 combo guard is just a different kind of animal. When he has the ball in his hands and is in attack mode he is difficult to stay in front of. But, he also blends that speed and quickness with an impressive amount of strength and body control. On Thursday he was able to get inside of Howell’s defense and cause problems. But for chunks of the second and third quarter he played outside of the Vikings zone and was ineffective. Even still, he was the best player on the floor for Webb City when taking both ends into account. He finished with 14 points and was the only Cardinal to score in every quarter. He also defended Dalton for several stretches of the game. He will be a special player as he continues to grow and mature.
Best Shooter: Patrick Schulte, Francis Howell (2019)
He only scored 10 points, but his perimeter shooting changed the game. A large part of that 18-3 run to start the second quarter was Schulte’s ability to catch and shoot and the attention Webb City had to pay to him coming off screens and couldn’t help off which gave Brohm more room to work. He knocked down a couple of 3s to help ignite that run. He’s a long kid at 6’3 and he understands getting his feet set on the catch, which allows him to get his jumper off quickly. Playing alongside a great guard in Dalton and a double-team commanding big in Brohm make him the perfect wing.
Underrated Prospect: Alex Pickett, Webb City (2018)
For three quarters you wouldn’t have noticed Pickett was on the floor – largely because of foul trouble – but then he snapped for 11 fourth-quarter points and displayed his full versatility. At 6’5, Pickett can post but also has the ability to step out on the floor if Webb City has a better post matchup. This makes him a headache. He hit a pair of 3s on the trail, a look he should get often because most high school 4/5 aren’t accustomed to closing out to the 3-point line. Pickett was also able to score on the block some. He’s thin-framed but long. That lack of strength seems to be part of the reason he stays in foul trouble because he has to defend with his hands and not his body. Regardless, this is a player that can help someone at the next level, especially if he is able to add a few more inches. If he can match his fourth-quarter effort for a full game, he would be an all-state caliber player.
Ultimate Glue Guy: Trey Gibson, Webb City (2017)
He didn’t play well on Thursday from a scoring standpoint, but he flashed many of the things that make him a solid high school player. The 6’1 G/F is undersized, but has the ability to play and defend 1-5. Think Draymond Green. He has range to 3, a mid-range jumper and can get to the rim or post. He also understands creating offense for others. He was a two-time all-state football player, which shows in the way he plays the game. He isn’t flashy, but he’s the kind of guy every team needs.
Dude I want on my Team: Matt Simmons, Francis Howell (2019)
This is in no way indicative of the player he is going to be, but right now Simmons is a junk-yard dog; if I’m playing pickup, he’s a cat I want on my team. He’s just 6’1 and I’m not sure he really has a position but he finds ways to make plays. Last night he came off the bench and provided a spark. He grabs rebounds, always seems to be in the right position defensively to draw a charge and for a broad-shouldered kid he’s quick off the bounce. He plays winning basketball.
Play of the Game: Kabala turnover-block
Freshmen are going to make silly turnovers and that’s just part of adjusting to varsity basketball. But, the best way to overcome that is by making a play on the other end. Kabala did just that last night, making up for an errant pass by chasing down the play and ending it with a LeBron-style, chase-down block. The block highlighted Kabala’s athleticism and effort. Many at the high school level would have given up on the play.
Best Quote: Webb City coach Jason Horn
“His ability to shoot forced our defense to spread and they were able to take advantage of the size with one-on-one opportunities in the post.”
This quote could have been true for Schulte, but it Webb City coach Jason Horn’s words about Howell freshman Matt Schark. Horn praised Schark for 6’3 frame and ability to change the game with the threat of what he could do. Schark finished with nine points, five of which came during that pivotal run, but his ability to catch and shoot or catch and attack also forced Webb City to respond defensively. Furthermore, his size made it difficult to play a guard on him. He gives Howell the ability to do several different things. You can play him as a stretch-4 next to Brohm, which allows the Vikings to surround Dalton with three shooters and a solid post, making Howell extremely difficult to defend. He’s also a zone-buster, shooting 56% from deep this season.
Storyline Moving Forward: Can Howell win a district championship?
Howell is now sitting at 9-3 and the question becomes is this the year they break their district drought? It’s been more than a decade since the Vikings made it to the Sweet 16 and if the season ended today they would be the No. 1 seed in Class 5 – District 5. With the way they’re playing now it’s tough not to like their odds. On Thursday nine different players scored for Howell. They’re balanced, well coached and unselfish. Friday’s semifinal showdown with Springfield Glendale will be a nice barometer game to tell us where this team is at.