Mustang Holiday Classic Semifinals

<p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <p>The Semifinals tilts at the Mustang Holiday Classic brought close match ups, and big time performances from prospects from Classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 and even 2025!</p> <p><strong>Mustang 53 Carl Albert 41</strong></p> <p>Carl Albert is breaking in five new starters from last year’s state tournament team but for large stretches of the game, they controlled the contest with disciplined offense and gritty defense. Timely shooting from sophomore Hutch Russell off the bench and turned a first quarter deficit into a halftime lead. Russell is part of a very intriguing sophomore class of Titans, along with the strong and athletic Quincy Hopkins and long, tall and bouncy forward Jayden Mott. Along with junior guards [player_tooltip player_id="1211255" first="Jordan" last="England"] and Trayshawn James, Carl Albert as a team and their players individually are just scratching the surface of their potential. Unfortunately for the Titans, the inexperience on their roster showed as the game progressed.  Their offense stalled out in the second half, and they were unable to separate in the third quarter, which would prove costly. </p> <p>Mustang junior [player_tooltip player_id="967377" first="Jacobe" last="Johnson"] is one of the top players in the state but he failed to get into a rhythm for the first 16 minutes. Because of his struggles, Carl Albert was able to harass elite senior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id="955384" first="Ethan" last="Scott"]. Whatever was said in the Bronco locker-room worked wonders for Johnson, as he came alive in the second half. What makes Johnson stand out on the court is his elite athletic ability. With the ball in his hands, he’s quick and strong. Those traits give him the ability to get where-ever he wants to on the court. The football-basketball standout hit jumpers off the dribble and mixed in powerful drives to get Broncos offense rolling. Johnson’s performance opened up the floor for Scott and the rest of the Mustang shooters. </p> <p>In the final frame, Mustang scored 26 points, coming one point shy of matching their total from the first 24 minutes of the game. While the mix of shooters around Johnson are crucial, the dynamic athletic ability Johnson posses as a 6 foot 3 bully guard, is the key to unlocking their offense and the team’s overall potential.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Putnam City North 54 Southmoore 50</strong></p> <p>On Monday it was the folly of youth, as a young Panthers team came out flat and had to scramble all game for energy. The miraculous full court shot by [player_tooltip player_id="1068574" first="Zander" last="Baker"] forced overtime, an eventual win and new life in the Mustang Holiday Classic. In their Tuesday game, it was the benefit of youth as they came out with intensity and built an early lead that they nursed all game against Southmoore. Still, behind superb shooting from senior [player_tooltip player_id="1164887" first="Ethan" last="Clark"] and junior [player_tooltip player_id="1170047" first="Ryan" last="Guerrero"], the Sabercats were able to rally and even briefly held the lead in the fourth. Clark has had back to back big scoring games for Southmoore, and is often in the right place at the right time to score and help his team. </p> <p>Many teams as young as North might have folded after giving up the lead for the first time. But perhaps youth played a key role in the fearlessness of the Panthers.  As they responded with fire and charged right back ahead and closed out the game, giving the young blood of the Panthers another big test tomorrow, with a date against tournament hosts, Mustang. </p> <p>6 foot 6 freshman Kaidon Rayfield joins freshman guards DJ Stephens and Anthony Leonard to form key parts of not just their youth movement, but the whole Panther team. Stephens and Leonard particularly log heavy minutes for North, while Rayfield flashes big time upside thanks to his mobility at his size. Leonard has a good frame given his youth and has shown flashes of becoming a dynamic driver. While Stephens is a skilled all around guard, that is comfortable as a spot up option. But when given the opportunity to expand his role, he excels as a smart ballhandler and plays within himself. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>