Cardinal Ritter Classic: Floor Generals

<p>Prep Hoops was on hand for the Cardinal Ritter Classic Saturday.  The 10 team event featured a wide array of talented prospects that included both D-1 talent and some small college gems.  Here is a look at our top floor generals from this exciting event:</p> <p><em><strong>5'9 Sr <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-phillips/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-phillips/">Devin Phillips</a></a> | Confluence</strong></em></p> <p>Confluence has some impressive athletes on their roster, but <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-phillips/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-phillips/">Devin Phillips</a></a> is the x-factor for the Titans.  He is a one man press-breaker that puts a ton of pressure on defenses with his elite quickness and slashing ability.  He is impossible to keep in front and plays much larger than his frame suggests.  When he gets in the lane good things happen.  He does an excellent job of finding cutters and his runners and floaters are nearly automatic.</p> <p><em><strong>5'9 Jr Marcus Pepper | Granite City</strong></em></p> <p>If there were a 6th man award for this shootout, it would go to Marcus hands down.  The moment he entered the game, Granite City became a better team.  He's a pesky defender that will shadow ball-handlers the length of the floor.  High IQ playmaker who can distribute or score.  He had a big game against Confluence with several transition baskets and some big jumpers.</p> <p><em><strong>5'9 So Larry Abbey | University City</strong></em></p> <p>Very intriguing sophomore point guard who may have been the best passer in the gym Saturday.  Does a tremendous job of keeping U-City balanced offensively.  He consistently breaks his man down off the dribble and can score it off the bounce but excels in his ability to find his athletic forwards for drop offs or lob finishes.  Excellent vision and passing ability.</p> <p><em><strong>6'2 Jr Demarcus Sanford | Lift for Life</strong></em></p> <p>Demarcus didn't shoot it particularly well on Saturday, but his importance to the team can't be denied.  Great length and athleticism combined with good instincts and a nose for the ball.  He sets the tone with his on ball defense.  Offensively, he is a tough match-up with his ability to attack off the bounce and finish above the rim, pull-up and knock down the three, or get in the gaps and find open shooters.</p> <p><em><strong>6'0 Sr Kevin Williams | Jennings</strong></em></p> <p>Kevin had a stellar outing in Saturday's win over lift for life.  He can play on or off the ball but provides a stabilizing force in the back-court for Jennings.  He dimed out six assists in the game and showed his chops from beyond the arc, knocking down four three-pointers.</p> <p><em><strong>6'0 Sr <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jeremiah-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jeremiah-johnson/">Jeremiah Johnson</a></a> | McCluer</strong></em></p> <p>Jeremiah does so much on both ends of the floor for McCluer and is a huge reason why they are 14-3 so far this season.  Very smooth ball-handler that remained poised against tough ball pressure and traps versus Ritter.  Smooth operator in the ball-screen game.  He is a more than capable scorer, but defers to a distributor to get his teammates involved early in games.  Willing and capable defender.  He has a solid all around game and should be garnering plenty of small college interest at this point.</p> <p><em><strong>6'2 So Luther Burden | Cardinal Ritter</strong></em></p> <p>In my opinion, Luther Burden is the straw that stirs the drink for a very good Ritter team.  Very unselfish player that does all the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet.  He can shoulder the load as a scorer if needed or make his mark on the defensive end of the floor like he did Saturday.  He did a nice job of forcing turnovers and converting in transition.  Did not force the issue with the ball and made several nice reads on baseline inbound plays that led to buckets for teammates.</p>