Monday’s Holiday Tournament Standouts (Forwards)

<p>The Prep Hoops Missouri Magical Stream Machine was working overtime in tracking holiday tournament games from around the state. Here is a look at some of the top performances by those forwards and post players from Monday’s tournament action. The bigs around the state were putting in some serious work on Monday.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="583715" first="Sam" last="Thompson"] 6’10" Francis Howell: The 2021 post had the top individual performance of the Christmas season to date as he scored a career high 55 points in the Vikings’ 73-61 victory over O’Fallon-Christian. With his team playing short-handed, Thompson took his game to a ridiculous level as he scored 21 points in the first half and added another 34 in the second half. He dominated the action in the low post with his size, but in the second half, he went outside and starting knocking down 3-pointers, finishing the day with six from long distance. He also grabbed 18 rebounds, blocked five shots and even helped handle the ball against Christian’s pressure defense. It was a magnicicent performance.</p> <p>Tarris Reed, Jr. 6’10" Chaminade: The 2022 forward had a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in the Red Devils 55-52 loss to Vashon in a big early-season showdown. As the game wore on, Reed seemed to get stronger as he dominated the action at times in the second half. His turnaround jumper is cash money from out to 15 feet. He can also buffalo his way for buckets in the post or put the ball on the floor on the dribble drive to score. He is also a big presence around the rim with his rebounding and shot blocking. Several major programs have already offered scholarships. And he is continuing to get better.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="985425" first="Ryan" last="Schwendeman"] 6’4" St. Dominic: The 2022 forward had 29 points and 15 rebounds in the Crusaders’ victory over Timberland in the first-round of the St. Dominic Tournament. Ryan is a horse at 245-pounds and he uses it to his advantage to muscle his way around the low post for easy baskets and three-point plays. On top of that, he will step out and knock down 3-pointers on the regular, making him one very tough matchup for any defense.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="994434" first="Sekou" last="Gassama"] 6’10" DeSmet: The 2021 forward put together a strong all-around game with 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Spartans' 69-50 victory at Webster Groves. He is an excellent athlete who can really control the paint with his rebounding and shot blocking presence inside. On this day, he was eating on the offensive end as the Spartans went to him early and often and he delivered. What was even more impressive is that he made all of his free throws, which is very good for a big.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="984504" first="Luke" last="Northweather"] 6’9" Blair Oaks: The 2022 forward scored a team-high 25 points in a loss to Helias at the Machens’ Fantastic Four Round Robin in Jefferson City. Big Luke is an automatic double-team when he catches the ball, but he gets buckets anyway because he has good footwork and he keeps the ball high and away from those smaller defenders. He is also an excellent passer out of those double teams to the open shooters. He can also step out and hit the 3-pointer himself as well. On defense, he was able to block and alter many shots in the paint.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="984500" first="Jevon" last="Porter"] 6’11" Tolton: The 2022 forward had 30 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the Trailblazers victory over Jefferson City at the Machens' Round Robin. The long and talented Porter wears many hats for Tolton as he spends a lot of time handling the ball and facilitating. His perimeter game is pretty expansive as he can create shots off the dribble and drain 3-pointers like a guard. He can snatch a rebounds, dribble the length of the court for a layup or a pull up 3-ball. When he goes inside, he uses his length to rebound and block shots.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="992317" first="Connor" last="Turnbull"] 6’10" Fort Zumwalt North: The 2022 forward was dominant in the Panthers' 66-54 victory over dominant in round robin action. He had 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks and one nasty reverse slam dunk off of a back door cut. He also made a 3-pointer on the day. He is one of the most improved players that I've seen over the past year. The more confident he gets in his abilities the more dominant he will continue to be.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="824168" first="Aaron" last="Hendricks"] 6’7" MICDS: The 2021 forward had 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the Rams victory over Trinity in the MICDS Round Robin. The athletic lefty plays with a high motor, which enables him to impact the game at both ends. He loves to run the court and those rim-runs usually result in transition dunks or putback slams. He stays active around the rim and he has a nice left-handed touch around the basket. He has been very consistent during the past month.</p>