10 Best: Morgan Park vs Whitney Young
Now that is the way you start a high school basketball season! The two best seniors in the state. Possibly the favorites for the 3A and 4A state titles. On the first night of the season Morgan Park vs Whitney…
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Continue ReadingNow that is the way you start a high school basketball season! The two best seniors in the state. Possibly the favorites for the 3A and 4A state titles. On the first night of the season Morgan Park vs Whitney Young! It was what you would expect with a lot of play, toughness, and high level prospects all over the floor. It was a back and forth game all night coming down to a final possession where Whitney Young was down two looking to tie the game. Morgan Park star Adam Miller would not let Whitney Young star DJ Steward get the ball creating the turnover and sealing the win in a crazy last 15 second sequence. The Mustangs won 61-59. Here is our 10 Best: Morgan Park vs Whitney Young.
MVP
Brandon Weston (Morgan Park – 2021)
Weston was the best player on the floor for the victorious Mustangs. The state’s #3 junior was playing in his first ever game with Morgan Park after sitting out last year because of transfer. It was on the big stage and he came out on FIRE! The athletic 2021 wing attacked with straight line drives right at the cup either scoring or getting fouled. Finished extremely well inside all night long also getting put backs and junk points on the interior. Showed off the jumper too with a three and mid-range shot. He had 18 points with several high-major head coaches that have offered in the front row!
Best Play of the Game
Adam Miller (Morgan Park – 2020 – Illinois Commit)
It wasn’t a classic Adam Miller night. It started off that way though drilling a pair of mid-range pull ups including one where he put Steward in a spin cycle! Just couldn’t get in a scoring rhythm all night, but he made plays with his passing finding teammates in the paint for scores. He also made the play of the night getting a steal late off an inbounds pass to seal the deal. Miller had 9 points.
Best Perimeter Defender
Marcus Watson (Morgan Park – 2020 – Wake Forest Commit)
Watson showcased what he is best at. Defense, passing, and speed! Defensively he created several turnovers with his quick hands. Crisp passer that found his teammates. He is a blur getting to the rim in the open floor with his tremendous speed the length of the floor off turnovers. Knocked down one pull up mid-range shot, but for the most part his jumper wasn’t there in the 10 point outing.
Best Rebounder
Anes Davenport (Morgan Park – 2021)
Davenport put his name on our radar this summer with Mac Irvin Fire 16U and Team M.O.R.E. 16U as an energy big man that competes on the glass. He did just that at Chicago State on Monday night. He thought every single rebound was his snatching them out of the air. Several finishes in traffic with his strong hands for 8 points.
Best Senior Stock Booster
Isaiah Burrell (Morgan Park – 2020)
Burrell had a big night. He didn’t have a notable summer, but just like his brothers before him he seems to shine with his high school team. Long and rangy four man that displayed more of a mid-range game than we had seen in the past knocking down an array of shots. Also had several finishes around the cup including a big dunk. Active four man that is off to a great start as a senior. Went for 10 points.
Best Freshman
Darrin Ames (Morgan Park – 2023)
In a game that featured two of the best freshman point guards in the state it was Ames who made the biggest plays. The lefty bombed in a pair of triples along with a spectacular dime en route to 6 points.
Best Offensive Player
DJ Steward (Whitney Young – 2020 – Duke Commit)
Steward was phenomenal in the first half. He recorded 14 of his game high 20 points in the opening half before getting a bloody lip on a collision with Marcus Watson. Known for his perimeter shooting it was more his ability to score in the paint in this one. Several slick drives with smooth ball handling getting to the cup. Scored off drives and in transition all night long. Did shake his man before drilling a pull up jump shot on one occasion. Duke is getting a good one!
Best Unsigned Senior
Tyler Beard (Whitney Young – 2020)
Beard is the best unsigned senior in the state after the early signing period and the only top 10 prospect that remains uncommitted. What impressed us most throughout the night was his toughness, physicality, and defense on the perimeter. He got up in his man and took on the personal challenge defensively. Got steals and even blocked a couple shots from his point guard spot. Offensively he closed the third quarter with a flurry throwing down a monster dunk followed by a three at the buzzer to give the Dolphins the lead. Also split the Morgan Park stud guards on one drive for a finish on his way to 13 points.
Best Post Prospect
Grant Newell (Whitney Young – 2021)
Newell is the top ranked power forward in the junior class. He played like it in the first game of the season. Sometimes Newell can drift in and out of games, but the talented face up four was engaged in this one all night! He knocked down mid-range jumpers, slammed home a tip jam, and protected the rim defensively! Brought a lot more intensity than we have seen in the past. He had 8 points.
Best Shot Blocker
Sangolay Njie (Whitney Young – 2020)
Njie is an unsigned senior post that for Whitney Young to reach their potential has to bring rebounding and a defensive presence inside. Checked off that box on Monday. He was outstanding defensively swatting shots left and right. Anytime the Mustang guards came in the lane he didn’t make it easy on them. The offensive skill needs to continue to improve, but we came away very encouraged about his play in the first contest of the season.
Best Newcomer
Jaehshon Thomas (Whitney Young – 2021)
Thomas is another player that was playing his first game in the CPS with his new squad like Weston. The state’s #2 2021 point guard transferred to Whitney Young after playing his first two years at Aurora Christian. Tough and physical lead guard that has a killer cross over which he displayed setting up scores and assists. Playmaking guard that gets to the rim with athleticism. He had 10 points in his debut!