UA Super Select 16 Recap: My First Look At:
While spending the weekend at the UA Super Select 16 in Cape Girardeau, I got a chance to see many talented players in the Southeast part of the state. I’ve seen many of them before, but I also had a chance to get a first look at some players who I have followed their progress over the year, but just have not been able to see them play. Here is my list of players that I got to get a first look at:
Darius Jones 5’10” Beastmode 17U: A very energetic combo guard from Hayti who did some very nice things in the two games I watched. He is pretty skilled and very fearless. He had one of the most impressive plays of the tournament when he dunked on a 6’7″ kid in transition. That was good stuff. He showed the ability to get to the basket and finish and knock down 3-pointers off the dribble. He led Hayti to a Class 2 district championship last season.
Trent McBride 6’6″ Top Flight Elite 16U: This young man is one of the top Class 1 post players in the state and he made a very good first impression on me. The southpaw is very skilled and poised around the basket. He operates in the lane and along the baseline with good movement and a nice shooting touch, which can also extend out to the perimeter. He is also a solid passer who can find teammates out of double teams. He does not force a lot of things. Expected to lead Eminence to some special things in Class 1 next season.
Kobe Cooper 6’0″ Beastmode 17U: A strong and athletic wing player who played much bigger than 6’0″ because he played very aggressive and with a high motor. He was constantly on the attack, whether he was slashing to the basket off the dribble of crashing the offensive boards. A very good rebounder for a guard. He can also knock down a 3-pointer and get out and get buckets in transition. Attends Hayti.
Johnnie Walker 6’0″ Top Flight Elite 16U: An explosive combo guard from New Madrid who was at his best in transition, where he threw down several impressive dunks during the weekend. He was very good at attacking the basket and finishing at the rim in traffic. He also displayed some very good court vision as he rifled some excellent passes to open teammates.
Caleb Oswald 5’10” Rainmakers Premiere 16U: A tough and competitive guard from Cape Girardeau Central who did a nice job handling both backcourt positions. He is a very capable ball handler who did a nice job fighting off defensive pressure. He didn’t mind getting to the basket and scoring amongst the trees, plus he was a solid perimeter shooter.
Austin Jarvis 6’5″ Rainmakers Premiere 17U: An athletic forward who transferred from Bismark to Saxony Lutheran for his senior year. He has good length and plays with a lot of activity. He had a very impressive turnaround jumper in the lane, which he made on several occasions.