Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown (Sunday Standouts)
The Prep Hoops Show-Me Showdown in St. Louis concluded with some exciting championship games on Sunday. Hoops4Health (IL) defeated the St. Louis Bearcats 59-55 in the 17U championship game. The Springfield Hawks defeated the Illinois Bears 64-63 in the 16U championship on a tip-in at the buzzer. Young and Reckless (IL) defeated MO Team Carroll for the 15U title.
Here are some of the Missouri’s standout performers from Sunday’s action:
Trenton Smith 6’5″ Springfield Hawks 16U: The athletic forward from Carl Junction completed a dominant weekend by scoring 27 points in the Hawks one-point victory in the championship game. The climax of a great weekend was his offensive put-back at the buzzer to give the Hawks the victory and the championship. He was hard to handle around the basket with low-post buckets, dunks and offensive rebounds. He was tremendous all weekend.
Lavell Harris 5’10” St. Louis Bearcats 17U: A sparkplug of a point guard, Harris was tremendous on the defensive end as he helped lead the Bearcats to a near chmpionship in the 17U bracket. He was the best on ball defender I witnessed during the entire weekend. He made life miserable for opposing ball handlers. He scored the game winning basket on a steal and layup in the semifinals against the KC Pacers. Harris added 12 points in the championship game against Hoops4Health, many coming on daring drives to the basket.
Thomas Lipscomb 6’7″ KC Pacers White 17U: The skilled combo forward was very good in the Pacers’ overtime loss to the Bearcats in the semifinals. He scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half to lead the Pacers back from a big deficit to force overtime. His size and skill level on the perimeter make him difficult to match up with as he can handle the ball and make 3-pointers. He moves well without the ball and he can create some offense off the dribble.
Caleb Jones 6’6″ KC Elite 17U: The lanky post player enjoyed an excellent performance against the Illinois T-Wolves with a game high 23 points in a victory on Sunday. He displayed a lot of scoring ability around the basket as he scored on post-ups, offensive rebounders and short jumpers off the catch. His length and athleticism around the basket proved to be a real problem once he got things going offensively.
Jake Branham 6’0″ Springfield Hawks 16U: The spunky combo guard scored 21 points in the Hawks’ championship game victory over the Illinois Bears. He was really strong in the first half as he made a variety of hustle plays and 3-pointers. Branham scored nine consecutive points during one stretch after his team got off to a slow start offensively. When he wasn’t making 3-pointers, he was grabbing offensive rebounds and chasing down loose balls with his high energy.
Ari Jackson 6’3″ MO Team Carroll 16U: The combo forward enjoyed a solid day as he has the size and strength to play multiple roles for his team. He is physical and grabbed his share of rebounds, but he displayed an excellent shooting touch from the mid-range and beyond the 3-point line. He scored 17 points in a game against a talented Young and Reckless team.
Tyler Walker 5’7″ Missouri Impact 15U: An excellent little point guard, I was impressed with the confidence and poise in which he went about his business as a floor general. He is quick and he can handle the ball and get to his spots and facilitate for others. He did an excellent job of getting into the lane where he displayed a nice float game.
Jaylen Boyd 6’0″ St. Louis Warriors Blue 15U: A nice southpaw point guard who led the Warriors to a couple of wins on Sunday. He is a pass-first point guard, but he has the ability to get buckets when it is time for him to step up on offense. He changes directions well and can get to the basket, plus he can stop on the dime and knock down pull up jumpers from the middle area.