Big 12 Classic: More Top Performers

<p>We finish off our Big 12 Classic Coverage by running through some of the other top performers from the big showcase event. Here are more names earning high honors....</p> <p><strong>Donavhan Cain</strong> of Cretin-Derham Hall (6’2 2022).   Cain got hot in the second half and his play gave the Raiders a chance.  It was short lived but Cain had a run making about four shots in five attempts that included several threes and that scoring explosion gave the Raiders hope.  Cain is a combo guard but with [player_tooltip player_id="850701" first="Tre" last="Holloman"] playing, we see Cain off ball.  This was a good example of Cain’s potential as a scorer as he had 19 points highlighted by five threes made. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1143875" first="Gabe" last="Jobe"] of Edina (5’10 2022).  In looking at the highlights it continues to amaze me how defenders don’t jump to Jobe immediately after he pitches or passes the ball, or is moving behind the play away from the ball.  This isn’t a pass and stand kind of guy.  Jobe instantly moves to be a threat and looking at the highlights, that is exactly what he was in helping Edina beat East Ridge as Gabe scored 23 points.  Continues to use ball screens to score as well anybody too. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958777" first="Kyle" last="Johnson"] of DeLaSalle (6’2 2022).  Teams are going to put their top two defenders on Chavis and Whitlock, so then who do you guard Johnson with?  Your third guard/wing?  A big?  Whatever the choice it’s not a good one for mos teams.  The first word that comes to mind when talking about Kyle is tough.  There is a toughness to this kid that allows him to win a ton of battles.  His offensive game has really advanced with Johnson maturing in strength, agility, and in IQ, this is a great third creative offensive option.  I could see him continuing to explode and having an outstanding MIAC career.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1143864" first="Devin" last="Newsome"] of South St. Paul (6’2 2022).  Newsome is one of the strongest guards in the state of Minnesota and I love how he uses that strength to create space.  Because Newsome is so strong teams often have to use a bigger player on him (for his strength and because SSP is a smaller team and he is usually the second tallest guy on the floor) and those bigs often can’t move with Devin, and despite being taller, most aren’t as strong.  Devin is able to body guys to get leverage and then move off of that into various shots.  Had 24 against a physical Waconia team. Made 8 of 9 foul shots and grabbed six boards. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962199" first="CJ" last="O’Hara"] of Hopkins (6’4 2023).  CJ gives the Royals the ultimate multi-tool player that they can plug in.  Coach Ken Novak Jr can have him defend the other team’s top wing and lock that player down, and O’Hara can do it.  He can then slide down and guard a bigger player because O’Hara is physical, 6’4, and plays hard.  He rebounds (had 7), CJ can score (had 17 points), and he can produce those points on or off ball.  He can also push the ball.  Can do many things that a team asks him too.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1167554" first="Hayden" last="Tibbits"] of Wayzata (5’10 22023).  What a luxury Wayzata has right now having both Tibbits and [player_tooltip player_id="1220414" first="Myles" last="Barnette"] as ball handlers.  The last game I saw Wayzata it was Barnette that stepped up in half two, against the CDH Raiders it was Tibbits.  Hayden had the score on the high ball screen as well as the baseline line-up attempt, both scores late, both scores before the help could arrive.  Key buckets for Hayden and his team, he had a dozen points for the game. </p>