Blue & Gold Tournament: Top Dogs

The 74th annual Blue & Gold Tournament wrapped up Monday evening from JQH Arena and Prep Hoops was on hand for all the trophy games.  Here is a look at the top dogs who are the go-to-guys for their team in crunch time:

6’5 Jr Aminu Mohammed | Greenwood

Not only is Aminu the top dog for Greenwood, he proved Monday night that he is the top dog in Springfield as well.  Greenwood had some close calls throughout their championship run, but you could rest assured when they needed a big play Aminu would deliver.  Whether it was a pull-up three, a drive to the cup, knocking down big free throws, or coming up with tremendous blocks or steals on the defensive end the Blue Jays star came up big time and time again. Humbled and hungry, he is a transcendent talent with tremendous potential.

6’2 Jr Anton Brookshire | Kickapoo

Kickapoo’s main man, Anton Brookshire, was fabulous throughout the tournament and has been for the last couple years.  He has “in the gym” range and keeps the ball on a string like few I have seen.  He does not shy away from the big moment and delivered a team-high 22 point performance that included several slick assists and big defensive plays in Kickapoo’s championship battle last night.

6’3 Jr Ryce Piper | Hartville

Hartville may be the most balanced team that we’ve seen this year.  On any given night, there are five guys who could lead the charge.  On most nights, they share the wealth among everyone with their impressive transition game.  That being said, when you get in the half-court and need someone to make a play, Ryce is the guy I’d want with the ball in his hands.

6’4 Sr Cade Blevins | Rogersville

Cade displayed his big game prowess in the semifinal with a buzzer beating lob play to take down Nixa.  Despite the loss in the championship game, he put Rogersville on his back for stretches and refused to go down without a fight.  He is a clutch shot maker with ice water in his veins.

6’3 Sr Josh Mason | Nixa

Josh can fill it up and bury a team in a hurry and he essentially did that in the 3rd place game.  When he gets hot, he can start raining threes from all over the gym and has a lot of craft to his game off the bounce.  Nixa has a pretty deep and solid group and Josh has the takeover ability to help them make a nice run this season.

6’5 Sr AJ Elliott | Ozark

Need a bucket inside?  AJ has you covered.  Need a rebound?  No problem.  Need someone to make a play?  He can do it as a scorer and is excellent at getting teammates involved with his passing ability out of the post.  Ozark is at its best when the offense runs through him.

6’6 Sr Daniel Abreu | Willard

One of the elite scorers in the state that can get it done at all three levels, Daniel can and has taken over ball games and willed his team to victories.  He is a true alpha and when the team needs a bucket they look to him inside the arc where he is pretty much automatic.

5’11 Jr Drew McMillin | Republic

Drew is a stud.  He is such a tough assignment for defenses because he can get into his lethal three point shot so quick and is very deceptively crafty off the bounce.  He strikes quick, and can go on personal runs that change the complexion of a game in a hurry.