Noteworthy Performers of the MHT - Not in the Title Game

The Omaha Metro Holiday Tournament concluded with two familiar foes, a rematch between defending Metro Tourney Champion Millard North against the defending Nebraska State Tourney Champion Bellevue West. The game turned out to be as advertised with the Mustangs outlasting the Thunderbirds in a double-overtime thriller. However, while the tournament played out true to form for the most part, and the "usual suspects" ([player_tooltip player_id="890479" first="Saint" last="Thomas"] (MN), [player_tooltip player_id="773431" first="Chucky" last="Hepburn"] (BW), [player_tooltip player_id="773443" first="Hunter" last="Sallis"] (MN), [player_tooltip player_id="890468" first="Frankie" last="Fidler"] (BW), [player_tooltip player_id="890461" first="Jadin" last="Johnson"] (MN)) all lived up to expectations in their two teams’ runs to the title game; there were a few quality hidden performances along the way during this 2020 tourney that seek recognition. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/23-brocaille.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1110866 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/23-brocaille-248x300.jpg" alt="" width="248" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="890580" first="Daniel" last="Brocaille"] SF Junior 6’5 Papillion-La Vista South In the tournament’s most competitive game, until the aforementioned title game, Brocaille (#23 pictured) almost willed his Titans to an upset quarterfinal win over hosting Omaha Central High School. Though PLVS would ultimately fall in overtime 63-56 to the Eagles, the 6’5 junior was the best player on the floor this day; playing fearlessly against an athletic and aggressive Omaha Central defense all night long. Daniel (the 16th ranked junior in Nebraska according to Prep Hoops) scored a game-high 28 points, completing an unheard of FIVE old fashioned "and 1’s"; and fell just one rebound shy of a double-double with 9 boards. Brocaille used his strong frame to angle his way to the basket with tough drives and showed great touch on both his midrange and interior spinning finishes after often corraling hard-fought offensive rebounds, as well as converted on 7/8 from the charity stripe. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/24-domm.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1110871 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/24-domm-262x300.jpg" alt="" width="262" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="958185" first="Dom" last="Humm"] PG Senior 6’0 Millard West Humm (#24 pictured) showed tremendous leadership and pace in his Wildcats’ 54-44 victory over cross-town rival Millard South in the second round of the MHT. The currently #30 ranked senior in Nebraska according to Prep Hoops "let the game come to him" early, never forcing the issue but rather reading the times to pass, create for others, or shoot very efficiently. Humm was constantly in communication with his head coach, and seemed to be an extension of that on the floor. He used his strength to explore the paint and also drilled 2/3 shots from behind the arch. Humm is a "point guard first-scorer second" throwback that has several NAIA and NCAA D2 programs surveying his play. [player_tooltip player_id="890602" first="Gage" last="Stenger"] CG Junior 6’1 Millard South In that same contest against [player_tooltip player_id="958185" first="Dom" last="Humm"] and Millard West; it looked as though [player_tooltip player_id="890602" first="Gage" last="Stenger"] (not pictured) was on his way to leading his Patriots to one of the only road wins in the 2020 MHT’s Covid high seed hosting format. Millard West had trouble containing Stenger when he was on the floor. However, staying on the floor became a game long issue as the currently 25th ranked junior class (Prep Hoops) guard was saddled with fouls early and often. Gage played with tremendous confidence, especially in his passing abilities. The 6’1 combo guard found perimeter teammates on kick-outs for three, or was hitting senior big man [player_tooltip player_id="946021" first="Jack" last="Cooper"] with precision post and back cut entries. Though not a blur, Gage is deceptively fast and ended the evening with 16pts and 7 assists. His foul trouble however proved to seal Millard South’s fate. Gage received his fourth foul in the third quarter with his Patriots ahead. By the time he re-entered the fray starting the fourth frame, MIllard West was already ahead for good. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/4-denim.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1110872 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/4-denim-233x300.jpg" alt="" width="233" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="890463" first="Denim" last="Johnson"] CG Senior 6’1 Omaha Central Johnson (#4 pictured), the #5 ranked senior in Nebraska according to Prep Hoops, was four minutes of game action from not being on this list. His Eagles headed midway into the final quarter of the MHT semifinal game against Millard North with the result very much up for grabs. Ultimately, Millard North would go on to prevail, but Johnson’s efforts were noticeable to all. Demin shined in both that semifinal affair as well as in, the already mentioned in this article, quarterfinal battle with Papillion-La Vista South. Johnson scored a team high 20 points in that overtime win to advance to meet up with Millard North; going 7/10 from the floor and a perfect 6/6 from the foul line. He backed that effort up with another 20 point performance against the Mustangs the very next evening. The former Omaha Benson Magnet High School transfer has transitioned in well with his new school and teammates. The guard is constantly around the ball. Whether defending like a pesky nat, bringing the house down on an "off straight vert" reverse two handed jam, or tracking down loose balls and turning them into midrange finishes. He is an explosively athletic, high energy player who is getting recruitment interest for many junior colleges and some recent four year (NCAA D1 and D2) interest. As his game evolves he will need to extend his range from three more consistently, but Johnson will be playing collegiately somewhere next fall to be sure.