Ozark Mountain Shootout: Top Forwards
The Ozark Mountain Shootout once again put on a fabulous event over the weekend from Glendale High School in Springfield. With top teams and tremendous talent, this has been one of the most anticipated early season shootouts in the region…
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Continue ReadingThe Ozark Mountain Shootout once again put on a fabulous event over the weekend from Glendale High School in Springfield. With top teams and tremendous talent, this has been one of the most anticipated early season shootouts in the region and it delivered in a big way. Prep Hoops was happy to be in the building covering the action, and we will be releasing several lists of the top talents in the next couple days. Next up, we highlight the forwards who impressed and intrigued us the most:
6’7 Sr Chris Moore (West Memphis)
If there were an “MVP” to this list of forwards, it would likely go to Chris. He is the picture of consistency in terms of effort and production, and double-doubles are just another day in the office. He is so strong and physical inside and blends in perfectly soft touch and skilled footwork. Dominant on the glass. Protects the rim. He is a treat to watch.
6’6 Sr Markell Hood (Blue Valley Northwest)
Markell is really more of a wing that can play inside/out but falls on this particular list largely because of his size and strength and his go-to move, which is a smooth and automatic turnaround jumper in the post that he makes a killing off of. He is willing to sacrifice his body and take charges. He can switch in the pick and roll. He is a volume rebounder. Very nice player that is a tough match-up.
6’4 Jr Waylon Masters (Dora)
Waylon really impressed me Thursday and is a crucial piece to the puzzle for Dora. He is surrounded by attacking guards and does a nice job positioning himself for dump-offs. He has a nice looking jumper that he can knock in from the short corner and high-post. Aggressive on the glass. Does not back down from challenging at the rim.
6’8 Sr Brandon Ellington (Cardinal Ritter)
Brandon has all the intangibles. His length and athleticism make him a constant lob threat. Times his jumps well and comes up with a lot of blocks and altered shots. Can sky over opponents and hit the glass hard. He is on the verge of a breakout.
6’5 Sr Robert Banks (Duncanville)
Nice pick and pop stretch man that protects the rim defensively. His range impressed me, he is a legit three point threat. Plays strong and walls up well on the block defensively and secures rebounds at their high points.
6’5 Sr Amaechi Chukwu (Guyer)
Absolute monster inside. Chukwu is a physical specimen that can bully his way around the paint, but is also impressively skilled. He reads his defenders well and has good footwork and a variety of post moves. Lethal left hand/right shoulder combo.
6’5 Jr AJ Elliott (Ozark)
Elliott is strong as an ox. The physical, bruising forward uses his size to his advantage and times his seals quite well. He absorbs and finishes through contact as well as anyone in the area.
6’6 Sr Daniel Abreu (Willard)
Abreu is a wing, but he is also the tallest and strongest player on his team which lends itself at times to him defending the paint where he does a nice job. This also means he usually becomes an match-up nightmare on the other end where he is one of the most complete scorers in the state.