Show Me Showdown: Final Day Observations

The final day of the Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown proved to be a big day for athletes from the Show Me State as Missouri kids showed up and showed out on Sunday. The championship games of the 16U and 17U Divisions came down to battles between St. Louis-area based grassroots programs. In the 16U championship game, the Gateway Basketball Club defeated the St. Louis Blazers 81-48. It was an impressive game for Gateway as they jumped on the Blazers from the start with its transition game and did not let off the throttle until the game was over. In the 17U championship game, Team Ramey CCM defeated Gateway 54-42 in a hard-fought grind it out game that featured two teams with big and talented front lines. The game was physical and points were hard to come by. The game was tied 30-30 early in the second half, but Team Ramey went on a 13-3 run to take control of the game, which eventually led to the tournament championship. Here is a look at some of the standouts from Missouri who came up big during the final day of the Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown: Lamontay Daugherty 6'7" Team Ramey CCM 17U: The versatile forward from Mehlville scored a game-high 21 points in the championship game. He scored 15 points in the second half and went on a personal eight-point run to break a 30-30 tie as he knocked down two 3-pointers and scored on a pretty spin move in the lane. When he is on his game, he is a matchup nightmare with his size, post game and excellent perimeter skills. Brock Wakefield 6'3" Gateway 16U: The smooth shooting guard from South Iron was the unofficial MVP of the tournament after leading his team in scoring en route to the 16U championship. He is a boss 3-point shooter with deep range, but he can also get buckets at three levels. He displayed nice moves off the bounce and the ability to create space to hit mid-range jumpers. Terrell Kabala 6'1" Victory Ministry 17U: The thick-bodied point guard was one of the most impressive individuals during the weekend. He averaged close to 20 points in the tournament with his finest moment coming in the quarterfinals against KC Pacers White when he hit a 17-foot baseline jumper with five seconds left to give Victory Ministry at 57-56 lead. He can bulldoze his way to the rim for buckets or pull up for 3-pointers. He is also an explosive dunker and a team player who will give up his body to take charges on defense. Demarcus Sanford 6'2" St. Louis Blazers 16U: The talented combo guard from Lift for Life enjoyed a nice Sunday in leading the Blazers to a berth in the championship game. Sanford is an excellent 3-point shooter who has evolved into a fine all-around point guard. He is distributing the ball well, especially on the fast break, and he plays solid defense with his length and athleticism. When it comes to getting a bucket, he is ready to provide one. Breven McMullen 6'5" Gateway 17U: A versatile combo forward who enjoyed a big tournament in helping Gateway to the championship game. B-Mac is a knock down shooter from 3-point range, but he consistently worked on his game to improve as an all-around scorer who can handle the ball and pass it and make his teammates better, and it showed on Sunday. He has also become more explosive and he displayed it with a few resounding slam dunks. Jaylen Boyd 6'1" Team Ramey CCM 17U: The versatile point guard from Ladue scored 16 points in Ramey's victory over Victory Ministry in the semifinals. Boyd is a crafty floor leader who excels on both ends of the court with his length and ability change speeds and keep the opposition off balance. The lefty can get to the basket when he wants to and his 3-point stroke has improved. B.J. Taylor 6'2" Knights Basketball Academy 15U: A slashing young combo guard from DeSmet who scored 17 points in his team's victory in the quarterfinals. He is athletic, but he also has a smooth element to his game where he can attack and basket and knock down jumpers. He is also good on the defensive end with his length. Jai Graham 6'4" Gateway 16U: The combo forward from Hazelwood Central was excellent on Sunday as Gateway rolled to the 16U championship. He was especially strong in the semifinals with a game-high 17 points in a victory over ABC Young Lions-Teal. He is big and strong, yet he displayed good ball handling and decision making skills with the ball in his his hands as a point-forward type. He is also an excellent rebounder. Matt McGuire 5'9" KC Pacers White 17U: The small marksman from Park Hill South was one of the most impressive perimeter shooters on the day. He scored 22 points and made five 3-pointers in an exciting game against Victory Ministry in the quarterfinals. His fifth 3-pointer of the game was clutch as it gave Pacers a one-point lead with 17 points in the game. Yaya Keita 6'9" Gateway 17U: The athletic young big from DeSmet was a pillar of strength inside for Gateway as he helped them to the championship game. He rebounded at a high level and he was also an excellent rim-protector. He was also good in a high-low set, either as a passer from the high post or as a finisher with the dunks in the low post. Hasani Spann 6'0" Team Ramey CCM-White 16U: The young shooting guard from MICDS scored 20 points in the quarterfinals against ABC Young Lions. He is a mini-microwave with his ability to knock down 3-pointers and put up the points in bunches. He has excellent range and a quick release and a lot of confidence in his ability to shoot the ball. Nyjahl Vaughn 5'11" St. Louis Blazers 16U: A solid shooting guard from Cardinal Ritter who scored a team-high 17 points in a victory over Capital City Teamwork in the semifinals, with all of those points coming in the second half. He is a tough defender who plays with great energy. He's small, yet he's physical and can play through contact when getting to the basket. Bryce Gelle 6'2" Missouri Flight 16U: The shooting guard from Clever had a big game in the Flight's loss to Gateway in the quarterfinals. Gelle scored a game-high 22 points and made a game-high six 3-pointers. His excellent shooting help rally his team from a 20-point deficit in the second half to a one-possession game in the final minute. Ryan Schwendeman 6'3" Knights Basketball Academy 15U: A young wing player from St. Dominic who is more of a complimentary player on this good team, but he came through with a big performance in the semifinals in which he scored 15 points and made three 3-pointers in an exciting overtime contest against the Arkansas Old School Wings..