The Best Of (Tournament Recap)

Through the Prep Hoops Missouri Magical Stream Machine, we were able to take a look at all of the tournament action from around the state last week.  Here is a look at the “Best Of” from last week.

Best Player: Animu Mohammed (Greenwood) – The 6’5 All-American candidate came up with another masterpiece in Greenwood’s 74-72 victory over Kickapoo in the championship game of the Willard Tournament. Animu finished with 43 points and 13 rebounds. He did his best work in the fourth quarter when he willed his team back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. He has the ability to get his teammates involved, but when it’s time to take over, he will take it up a notch.

Best Shooter: Bryce Gelle Bryce Gelle 6'3" | SG Clever | 2021 State MO (Clever) – There were a lot of good shooting performances last week, but we’ll give the nod to the 6’3 2021 guard who made 15 3-pointers at the Clever Tournament, for an average of five per game. He also averaged 29 points in the tournament.

Best Passer: Jace Trimble (Platte County) – The 5’10 2022 point guard was excellent in the Pirates run to the Savannah Tournament championship. His court vision and passing was top shelf as he dropped dimes from all over the court and with both hands.

Best Athlete: Najee Williams Najee Williams 6'3" | SG Truman | 2021 State MO (Truman) – The explosive 6’3 2021 guard turned in At least two or three highlight reel plays at the Phog Allen Invitational. The best play came in the first round when he basically jumped over a defender to deliver a baseline dunk.

Breakout Performer: Tyree Goolsby (Battle) – The 6’4 2023 forward was one of the top players at the Sullivan Tournament as he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds for the tournament. With top player Cachao Gianquinto Cachao Gianquinto 6'3" | SG Battle | 2021 State MO sidelined with an injury, the kid stepped up big as he showcased his skills and athleticism around the basket.

Best Low Post: Sam Thompson Sam Thompson 6'10" | PF Francis Howell | 2021 State MO (Francis Howell) and Luke Northweather Luke Northweather 6'10" | PF Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO (Blair Oaks) – The talented bigs looked strong in leading their teams to tournament titles. The 6’10 260-pound Thompson had 29 points and 10 rebounds in Howell’s victory over St Dominic in the finals of the Troy Tournament. He used his size and strength to lean on the Crusaders in the post. The 6’9 2022 Northweather utilized his versatile skill set and low post game to dominate as the Falcons won the championship of the Tri-County Tournament. He averaged more than 20 points a game in the tournament.

Best Bench Players: Allen Matney (Clarkton) and Justin Gittemeier (NE Cairo) – The 6’1″ 2022 Gittemeier was excellent in the Cairo’s victory over Slater in the championship game of the Glasgow Tournament. He came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points. Not only did he provide scoring, but he also played with great energy. Matney, a 2022 lefty was very productive off the bench for Clarkton at the Gideon Tournament, where he led the team in scoring in at least two games. He shot it well from distance and could score well inside. Camden Bennett of St Joe Lafayette was also very productive off the bench as well.

Best Game-Winners: Luke Green (Boonville) and Tryce Floyd (Albany) – Both players hit dramatic 3-pointers at the buzzer to give their teams one-point victories. The 6’2 Green hit his shot to defeat Southern Boone 62-61 in the semifinals of the Tri-County Tournament. Floyd’s shot gave Albany a 48-47 victory over Platte Valley at the Albany Tournament. The irony is that both players made their game winning shots after two pump fakes.