The 10 Best: Tulsa Memorial vs Nathan Hale
It was a blowout from the tip at Memorial Veterans Arena to kickoff the 2017-2018 season in Oklahoma. Prep Hoops Oklahoma saw many interesting things of note in the game despite the score disparity. The Boone twins of Tulsa Memorial had a big night using their length on both ends of the floor. I loved their aggression they brought to both ends of the floor.
Nathan Hale struggled throughout the night but did have two players catch our eye. As the buzzer sounded Tulsa Memorial coasted to victory 86-48 over Tulsa Hale. Kalib Boone posted a triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 11 blocks!
On to the best…..
MVP: Kalib Boone Tulsa Memorial 2019 Tulsa Memorial Post
Kalib Boone is taking the next step in his game. You can tell that his hard work over the summer with Oklahoma Run PWP on the Under Armour Circuit is paying off. In a day and age where players don’t want anything to do with defense, Boone is an outlier. Kalib brought his hard hat and went to work in the paint swatting and adjusting opponents shots all night. It almost got to the point where if he did not block the shot you were surprised. Offensively, Boone is very raw at times still learning how to use his size and length to his advantage.
Boone scored most of his baskets around the rim. He did a great job of using offensive rebounds for second-chance points. As a big Boone runs the floor very well, which led to a few easy scores. It was an easy 18 points for Boone that you looked up at the scoreboard and marveled at his efficient 18 points. Boone showed NCAA Division I High Major play on Thursday night. He has to get stronger yes but the frame, energy, basketball IQ and toughness he plays with all point to him playing at the High Major level.
Best offensive performance: Keylan Boone 2019 Tulsa Memorial Post
Keylan Boone was aggressive attacking the rim. It was evident the growth in his game this summer has turned into confidence at the high school level. Last year we saw flashes of the player Boone could be. On Thursday, Boone attacked the basket ready for contact and looking to finish strong. He still needs to gain weight but has plenty of time to do so in his high school career. Boone shot the ball solid with great form. Opponents have to pick their poison when it comes to how they are going to defend, which is even tougher considering there aren’t many Wings with his height and athleticism that can match up. Boone already holds multiple NCAA Division I offers and it was easy to see why on Thursday.
Best defensive performance: Kalib Boone 2019 Tulsa Memorial Post
This award for the game was locked up at the end of the first quarter. Boone totaled double-digits in blocks devastating the confidence of Nathan Hale from the jump. He has learned how to use his length and frame jumping straight up without fouling to block shots. The state of Oklahoma will have a tough time trying to finish off drives with Boone on the floor.
Best coaching decision: Bobby Allison getting his young guys in early
Tulsa Memorial was clearly going to win the game from the tip. With a very young roster, Bobby Allison did a great job of letting his starters play into the fourth quarter giving them a great feel for a game and the rhythm of it and then for most of the fourth quarter guys who contribute off the bench were able to enter the game and get quality minutes. I loved seeing him want to see how some of his young guys with no varsity experience would respond on opening night.
Best intangibles: Depth of Tulsa Memorial
Tulsa Memorial does not have two senior Guards like Kobe Rose and Caleb Nero from a year ago. What they do have is a stable of Guards led by senior Shemar Walker. Memorial will be young, but by the time they get to the end of the season their depth at the Guard spot will allow them to cause problems for opponents.
Best aspect of the environment: Memorial Veterans Arena
Memorial Veterans Arena is unmatched in the state of Oklahoma. It provides a beautiful area to play in with the stars displayed on the maple wood inside the three-point line. The fans at Tulsa Memorial were out loud and ready for opening night.
Best play: Keylan Boone’s transition slam
Final: Tulsa Memorial beats Nathan Hale 86-48. #PrepHoops pic.twitter.com/PgPFPm1otI
— Prep Hoops Oklahoma (@PrepHoopsOK) November 17, 2017
Best play of the night was a steal and then slam from Keylan Boone. He showed his great athleticism running the floor in transition while using a little defense to get it started!
Best under-the-radar performance: Trevon Hill 2018 Nathan Hale Wing/Forward
Trevon Hill is a perfect get for a JUCO program. He is long, lanky around 6’5. From the get-go even though his team was unmatched he fought relentlessly all night using his body, athleticism, and skill set to get to the rim and finish. As the game went along he started to find his three-point shot opening up the floor even more for him. He is a player JUCO’s will want to know about because of his raw talent and hard work on the court he could be a player that thrives in two years more of development at the JUCO level.
Who got Hot: Kori Guest 2018 Tulsa Memorial Wing
Kori Guest Tulsa Memorial senior Wing catches your eye immediately on the floor with his length and size. He started the game with 8 points in the opening quarter scoring at all three levels to do so. Guest is a player that Prep Hoops Oklahoma has tabbed as a good JUCO guy. He is a great candidate to be one of the breakout players in the state of Oklahoma this year.
For more information email Matt@prephoops.com