Thursday’s District Championship Standouts

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top standouts from Thursday night’s district championship action.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="824139" first="DeMarion" last="Shanklin"] (Jennings): The 6’2" 2021 guard scored 32 points in the Warriors’ 59-51 overtime victory over McCluer North in the Class 5, District 6 championship game. The lefty bucket-getter sent the game into overtime with a last-second 3-pointer in regulation. He made four 3-pointers and was a perfect 12 for 12 from the free throw line. He is currently the leading scorer in the St. Louis metro area at 24 points a game.</p> <p>Brennan Watkins (Kearney): The 2021 guard scored a game high 25 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 54-50 victory over Platte County in the Class 5, District 16 championship game. Despite being face-guarded on defense much of the night, the VMI recruit still knocked down five 3-pointers on the night, including four in the first half. All of them were created off the dribble. He is the leading scorer in the Kansas City area.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070084" first="Kyle" last="Pock"] (Bolivar): The 6’7" 2023 standout scored a game-high 32 points in the Liberators’ thrilling 65-63 double-overtime victory over Springfield Catholic in the Class 5, District 10 championship game. Pock displayed his versatile offensive skill package as he got buckets at all three levels while also delivering in the low post and at the free throw line.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="824112" first="Nicholas" last="Kern"]  (Vashon): The 6’6" 2021 guard scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Wolverines to a 76-41 victory over Soldan in the Class 4, District 4 championship game. The VCU recruit displayed his slashing ability while also throwing down some very entertaining dunks in transition.</p> <p>Takhi Chievous (Father Tolton): The 6’4" 2022 wing scored a team-high 19 points in the Trailblazers’ 66-57 victory over Fulton in the Class 4, District 8 championship game. He does a nice job of knocking down the mid-range jumper, but he also stepped out and hit a couple of 3-pointers. He came up with some big shots down the stretch as Tolton fought off a furious Fulton rally in the second half.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1042403" first="Joey" last="Schultz"] (Platte County): The 6’6" combo forward scored a team-high 22 points in the Pirates loss to Kearney in the Class 5, District 16 championship game. He has a nice blend of versatility and high activity. He scored well in the post and he was also wheeling and dealing off the dribble to get buckets and get himself to the free throw line. He was also solid on the defensive end with a couple of nice blocks.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="824163" first="Joseph" last="Hardimon"] (Poplar Bluff): The 6’0" 2021 guard scored a game-high 21 points in the Mules’ 49-42 overtime victory over Jackson in the Class 6, District 1 championship game. He is a physical, slashing guard who plays much bigger than his actual size. His motor is always running at both ends of the floor. He sealed the championship win last night with a steal and transition slam dunk in the closing seconds of overtime.</p> <p>Michael Haggerty (St. Michael the Archangel): The 6’4" 2022 forward had a team-high 21 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots in SMA’s 61-57 victory over KC Southeast in the Class 4, District 14 championship game. He was a force throughout the game as he controlled the action in the paint at both ends of the floor.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991577" first="Zach" last="Howell"] (Springfield Catholic): The 6’3" 2022 guard concluded a stellar junior season with 28 points in the Irish’ 65-63 double-overtime loss to Bolivar. Howell had a very entertaining scoring dual with Bolivar 2023 standout [player_tooltip player_id="1070084" first="Kyle" last="Pock"]. He was knocking down shots from well beyond the 3-point line while also getting some tough buckets inside in a hard-fought championship contest. He was tremendous this season.</p>