Westminster Jamboree: Top Standouts

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri was in the house at Westminster Christian Academy to check out the preseason jamboree, which featured four excellent programs in Vashon, Chaminade, Kirkwood and host WCA. Three of the four teams in the event were Final Four participants last season as Vashon and WCA met for the Class 4 state championship while Chaminade finished third in Class 6.</p> <p>The four teams met each other in a round-robin format consisting of short 12-minute scrimmages. Based on just what I watched during those scrimmages, here is a look at the top standouts from the Westminster Jamboree.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070097" first="Kobi" last="Williams"] 6'3" Westminster: The athletic 2023 guard was getting it done at both ends of the court. He made a number of impact plays on defense, including a big blocked shot at the rim, several deflections and a dart into the passing lanes for steals and transition layups. He is a versatile offensive threat who hit the open 3-pointer, slashed to the basket and also posted up smaller guards with his size. And he does it all within the framework of the team.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1362685" first="Kennard" last="Davis"] 6'6" Vashon: The 2023 wing is the one experienced player back from the Wolverines' state championship team from a year ago. He displayed his ball handling and playmaking skills on the perimeter, which will be important this year as the Wolverines will be breaking in new guards. He is a capable 3-point shooter who also created and hit some tough shots off the dribble. I like the turnaround jumper off the baseline. He also had a few big chase-down blocks where he pinned the ball on the glass to start the fast break.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1161297" first="Nilivan" last="Daniels"] 6'3" Chaminade: The 2023 guard had a dynamic performance against Vashon in the opening game in which he scored 13 points. He hit a pair of 3-pointers while also slashing in the lane to get a couple of buckets. He is a talented offensive player, but he also plays with a lot of grit as he turned in many nice hustle plays as he chased down loose balls and rebounds for his team. He is a very skilled player with a blue-collar style of play.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="985432" first="Austin" last="Vick"] 6'8" Westminster: The 2022 post player played with a lot of strength and authority in the minutes that I watched him. He fits in so well in his team's motion offense because he is a big who can stretch the defense with his 3-point shooter and he can really pass the basketball. He also showed some toughness by rebounding in traffic and taking the contact. He posted up strong inside and scored with both hands.</p> <p>BJ Ward 6'0" Chaminade: The 2023 point guard is the consummate floor leader for the Red Devils and he displayed those leadership chops at both ends of the floor. He is a ball hawk on defense who really moves his feet and gets his teammates going at that end. He used his physical strength well to handle the ball and against intense pressure and get to his spots and get his team into offense. He was also bullying his way into the lane off the dribble while making a perimeter shot.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1269935" first="Christian" last="Hughes"] 6'1" Kirkwood: The 2023 guard is poised to have a breakout season in 2021. He is very athletic and he knows how to create and make shots off the dribble. He is very resourceful. He is also very fearless as he will attack the basket and take to any defender at any size. He also displayed a nice pull up jumper with excellent elevation to shoot over defenders.</p>