Monster Matchup: Marvin Hughes vs. Alden Applewhite
Friday July 21st, underneath the ancient, curved-ceiling of Memphis University School’s old gymnasium, two future college players clattered together.
With M33M 15u Elite precariously leading Team Thad 15u, 44-42, Marvin Hughes (2020) went to work. From the left wing, as the clock ticked down to 7:00 Hughes drew Alden Applewhite (2021) out high, well beyond the three-point arc. Applewhite looked to his coach and father Andre Applewhite for any late instruction.
In this snippet of time no coach in the world could have helped him. For the assimilating off-guard Applewhite the difference in age, strength, and quickness instantly showed its ugly head. Hughes baited him outside subtly and then darted into the teeth of the defense. At this stage of development the taller, younger Applewhite couldn’t keep up with the surefire college prospect.
Hughes broke him down and recorded an easy layup.
44-44.
Recognizing the attack as the affront that it was, Alden replied with a hurried triple. His confidence, not the form, was justified. All game long Applewhite was hitting tough shots. Make no mistake his time will come and the success will be significant when it does. Regardless his response to Hughes’ drive was a quick, off-balanced shot. As the errant shot missed deep Applewhite landed awkwardly and looked to his elbow uneasily.
Team Thad collected the rebound and hit M33M Elite on the break, 46-44. It was the first lead snatched by Team Thad 15u since early in the half.
Still holding his elbow, Alden Applewhite received a countering outlet pass. Without hesitation Applewhite buried a three-pointer from the corner. Now M33M Elite jumped back ahead 47-46.
Seconds later Marvin Hughes answered with a three-pointer from the left wing, 49-47 Team Thad 15u.
Infused with adrenaline from his scoring spurt, Hughes tried to body a probing Alden. Applewhite headed to middle and drew a foul.
Finally, the ten players on the court could catch a breath.
After Applewhite missed a front end, Team Thad 15u began ratcheting up the tempo. Eventually Team Thad would pull away and capture the contest.
Impact:
The individual battle within a team battle between Alden Applewhite and Marvin Hughes was a ferocious back and forth.
Both players displayed a keen awareness of the moment and more importantly embraced and thrived under pressure. Top competition generally amplifies everything, but not every top player excels in key moments.
Alden clearly intends to score when the moment grows. He takes the burden of scoring on his shoulders and can create in a variety of ways. He has the passing instincts of a young Jalen Rose, but doesn’t facilitate as much. Applewhite slinks into the lane with a left-handed dribble and elastic frame. The outside shots tend to come off the catch. At 6-foot-4 and growing, Applewhite is a scoring threat still absorbing so much. Physically he is not overwhelmed by the 15u competition, but he also isn’t the fully formed man he will become.
Hughes’ default setting is attack the basket. He has the physicality and body control to create driving lanes and finish in traffic. As his peers get taller he will have to lean even more heavily on his upper body strength and explosiveness off the deck. Hughes possesses that killer instinct that elevates decent guards to tempo-controlling floor generals.
Fans and family were fortunate to witness two budding stars learning their way, finding their courage in daunting moments.
Hopefully years of battles remain between the two prospects, but today the victory belonged to the older guard.