Ten Best: Blue Valley Northwest (87), Chaminade (83) 2OT
Ten Best: Blue Valley Northwest (87), Chaminade (83) 2OT OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Two of the premier teams in Kansas and Missouri squared off for an epic showdown in the nightcap at the 810 varsity Best of the Midwest Showcase.…
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Continue ReadingTen Best: Blue Valley Northwest (87), Chaminade (83) 2OT
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Two of the premier teams in Kansas and Missouri squared off for an epic showdown in the nightcap at the 810 varsity Best of the Midwest Showcase. The contest lived up to the hype, going into double overtime and featuring a slew of thrilling individual plays and performances.
BVNW rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit and tied the game on a lay-in by Parker Braun, sending the game to overtime.
MVP: Darien Jackson (BVNW). One of the top players in Kansas, Jackson carried BVNW offensively for long stretches in this one. The 6’3 2017 guard finished with 30 points and six rebounds.
Offense Player of the Game: Karrington Davis (Chaminade). Were it not for Jackson’s late game heroics, Davis would have been an obvious choice for MVP. He is a 6’6 2018 guard that is tough to contain off the bounce and really attacks the bucket with ferocity. He had 12 points in the second quarter and finished with 26 points and eight rebounds.
Defensive Player of the Game: Parker Braun (BVNW). He battled foul trouble throughout, but when he was on the court = BVNW was a different team. Braun is a 6’8 2018 forward that can shoot from the outside, finish with authority and play above the rim, but it is his ability to block shots that stood out in this one as he finished with six blocks, including some critical ones in overtime.
Tough night Award: Jericole Hellems (Chaminade). One of the St. Louis area’s leading scorers and top prospects, Hellems ran into foul trouble and sat much of the game before fouling out with five points. A 6’7 2018 wing player, Hellems has terrific size and a solid all-around game, able to score at all three levels. He is a strong and versatile defender who can play multiple positions. Recently drew an offer from Indiana.
Best shooter: AJ Pleasant (BVNW). The 5’10 2017 point guard for Blue Valley Northwest isn’t known for his outside shooting as much as he is known for his ability to handle the ball and run the point, but in this game, he hit two huge corner 3-pointers that helped the Huskies rally from a double digit deficit.
Best rebounder: Joe Pleasant (BVNW). A skilled 6’7 2018 forward, Joe Pleasant was strong on the boards in this one, hauling in eight rebounds, including several key offensive boards late in the game.
Best passer: AJ Pleasant (BVNW). He had several eye-popping assists in this one, and finished with 16 points. When Pleasant is playing well the Huskies are a tough team to beat.
Best Player off the Bench: JaMichael Morgan (BVNW). He had 10 points, but it was his defensive performance and all-around play that really turned the tide in the second half for BVNW. A 6’3 2017 wing player who has signed to play at Oral Roberts, Morgan finished with seven rebounds and helped hold Davis in check in the late stages.
Under the Radar Player: Jadis White (Chaminade). There might not be a more improved all-around guard in the St. Louis area than the 6’2 White. He is a strong, athletic point guard that can run a team, but can also score the ball when needed. He is a terrific defender, can create his own shot, shoot from the outside or get all the way to the bucket. He has played his way into a college scholarship in our opinion. He scored 20 points in this one.
Young players to watch:
Keyyaun Batchman, 6’2, 2019, G, Chaminade
Luke Kasubke, 6’6, 2020, G/F, Chaminade
Christian Bruan, 6’2, 2019, G, Blue Valley Northwest