Prep Hoops Show-Me Showdown Recap (Class of 2019 Forwards)
Here are some of the top Missouri Class of 2019 forwards from last weekend’s Prep Hoops Show-Me Showdown in St. Louis.
Trenton Smith 6’5″ Springfield Hawks: If there was a Most Valuable Player to be named for the 16U tournament, it would have been the bouncy power forward from Carl Junction who enjoyed a dominant weekend of low-post scoring and dunking. He averaged nearly 20 points in the tournament, including a 27-point performance in the championship game. His tip-in at the buzzer gave the Hawks the tournament championship. His dunking, low-post scoring and offensive rebounding was consistent as he played with great confidence throughout the tournament.
Moses Opkala 6’7″ STL Hardwood Hunks: The 250-pound post player is gradually developing from a project into a fine young prospect. There is still a lot of work to be done, especially on the offensive end, but Moses is making positive strides. He is making a few more confident post moves around the basket and he can really pass the ball well from the high post. One thing he does well is rebound, especially on the defensive end where he is a board sweeper. He is also becoming more athletic as he is starting to run the court much better.
Quentin Brown 6’6″ MO Team Carroll: A lean, bouncy post player who enjoyed a very productive weekend with his athleticism and high activity. His overall offensive game is a work in progress, but he displayed some excellent finishing skills around the basket as he threw down several dunks in traffic. He was an active rebounder and shot blocker and he ran the court every chance he got. He has excellent mobility and a very high upside.
Stevie Wright 6’5″ STL Hardwood Hunks: The young power forward was quietly one of the most effective players in the low post with his quality play on the weakside. While opposing players were sleeping, he was working the offensive boards with tremendous intensity and scored on several offensive putbacks. He did a nice job of working the baseline and getting many inside buckets without any plays run for him.
Jason Montgomery 6’3″ Arsenal Hoops: He was very solid and productive, which is the best way to describe how he plays the game; which is very good. He doesn’t have a lot of flash to his game. He just goes out there and scores and rebounds while playing hard on both ends of the court.
Jaden Spruell 6’3″ KC Elite: A big-bodied combo forward who has a nice skill set and a high basketball IQ to go with it. Jaden handled the ball well and had the ability to get by defenders off the dribble. He could also step back and knock down 3-pointers when left open. He can also pass the basketball, which made him ideal as a facilitator from the forward position.