The Jump Showcase: Standout Guard Play
The season has just started, and Marc Rowe dived into creating another platform for the talent in the state of MS. The Jump Showcase lived up to the expectation as players across the state went up against their peers, leaving…
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Continue ReadingThe season has just started, and Marc Rowe dived into creating another platform for the talent in the state of MS. The Jump Showcase lived up to the expectation as players across the state went up against their peers, leaving all in attendance enjoying a day full of hoops. Here are some guards that stood out
Jimmy Sheriff, III (5’11/SG/’23)
School: Forest Hill HS
Instagram: dathooper_tray
Twitter: @JimmySheriff13
Jimmy was one of the most complete players throughout the day. He is listed as a SG, and even though he stands 5’11, he is a player that can fill it up. He is a lefty that can stroke the rock and create off the bounce for himself and his teammates. He is one of the few players I saw who can carry his team with his offensive ability. He is a difference-maker on a team that has a lot of potential. He did not list any offers when he completed the player profile, but he is a player that may be getting overlooked due to his size. I saw a player that can operate on and off the ball, plays hard-nosed defense, makes others around him better, has a good feel for the game, and does whatever it takes to win. I saw the caliber player that helps build a winning culture, and someone could get a steal with Jimmy.
Terry J. DrakeHe finished the game w/ 20pts.
Pepper Wilson (6’0/PG/’26)
School: Hartfield Academy
Instagram: pepper_wilson3
Pepper was hands down one of the best pure shooters that I saw throughout the entire day. He can fill it up from behind the arc and does not need much space to get his shot off. He is a threat every time he crosses half-court and has defenders scrambling to get out with high hands every time he catches the ball. He stayed locked and loaded, and his feet were always set. As a freshman starting on varsity and logging heavy minutes, he was very impressive. He is only going to get better as he continues to work on the things that lead up to being able to get his shot off, such as cutting, being the screener and popping out of the ball screen action, and creating his shot off the bounce. He is a skilled guard that showed a lot of promise and could emerge as one of the best shooters in the state. Maybe what I am about to say is a result of his youthfulness, but I would like to see Pepper take a few more shot attempts than what he settled for in the match-up against Murrah. He is lethal from behind the arc, and Hartfield is a better team when Pepper is looking for his shot.
Terry J. DrakeHe finished the contest w/ 11pts.
Javin Cooper (5’8/PG/’24)
School: Murrah HS
Instagram: 1k.javinn_
Twitter: @Javincooper3
Javin was absolutely sensational in the match-up against Harfield. He is a score-first PG that came out looking for his shot early and often. He set the tone early as he was aggressive off the bounce using his speed to get by the Hartfield perimeter defenders. Javin was consistently in the paint, causing the defensive collapse and exploiting the holes in Hartfield’s defensive rotation. He can score the rock from all levels and is a nightmare with the rock in his hands as he is a skilled ball-handler and a prolific iso scorer. He is a floor general that functions as a triple-threat player that contributes as a shooter, passer, and driver and is productive in all facets on the offensive end of the floor. He was one of the most difficult players to defend, while at the same time, he is a good on-ball defender himself.
He finished the game w/ 27pts*
Terry J. Drake*There was a discrepancy in his points as one book and the classic’s stat keeper had 27pts while another book had 24pts.
Jakobi Thompson (6’2/CG/’24)
School: Provine HS
Instagram:solo.kobii
Twitter: @solo.kobii
I have put ink on Jakobi before, so I knew what I was in store for when Provine took the floor. Unfortunately, what I was looking for wasn’t unleashed until the second half, as Jakobi seemed to be cruising along the first sixteen minutes of play. However, as the old saying goes, the tale of two halves is what I encountered when it came to Jakobi’s game. He came out in the second half, was a lot more aggressive, and was the dominant scorer I was looking for the entire game. He showed that he can get his own shot off the dribble, has a nice mid-range game, can score from behind the arc, and was one of the best playmakers throughout the entire event. As much as I rave about his scoring prowess, he defended well and even stepped up and took a charge. He is still sitting on no offers, but I am confident he can find a home at the next level.
Terry J. DrakeHe finished the game w/20pts.
Elijah Isom (5’8/CG/’24)
School: Ocean Springs
Instagram: 228.Marv
Twitter: @Elijahisom
Elijah came ready to play, and it showed early with his level of aggressiveness. He provided an early spark for his squad as he scored early and often, even making some tough shots in the process. He was tough in the open court and was putting pressure on the rim as he was getting by defenders with a quick burst off the bounce. He is an explosive lead guard that showed early that he could score, and as the game went on, he showed his ability to facilitate the offense. There is no question about who has the keys to the Ocean Springs squad, and his basketball savvy, mental toughness, and physical resolve will undoubtedly be able to carry Ocean Springs this season.
Terry J. DrakeHe finished the game w/ 18pts.
Damarion Winston (6’2/PG/’24)
School: Yazoo City HS
Instagram: glizzzy.winston
Twitter: @DamarionWin02
Damarion is another player on this list that is a score-first PG. He was extremely tough off the bounce and was able to get to his spots with ease. He had the entire toolbox open, and everything he brought out was working. The middle game, the trey-ball, the handles, and the burst was all on display and working. Needless to say, he is armed with a crafty scoring arsenal and produces at a high level. One thing that separated Damarion from others at his position was his production on the glass, as he is a very good rebounding guard.
Terry J. DrakeHe put on a show for all in attendance and had a stellar game finishing w/ 21pts.
Dorian McMillan (6’3/SG/’24)
School: Pascagoula HS
Instagram: Doriandagoat
Twitter: @Doriandagoat1
Dorian had an impressive showing, even though it may not look that way if you base it on point production. He has positional size and a skillset to make him an extremely tough player to deal with when the ball is in his hands. He was at his best when he was attacking off the bounce and getting to the cup, where he finished some, and other times he dished to an open teammate. Pascagoula is a well-rounded team with balance across the board, and Dorian’s playmaking and shotmaking skills help Pascagoula stay committed to the type of style they wish to play. He has the ability to definitely do more in all categories, but his team wins because of Dorian being the unselfish player that he is.
Terry J. DrakeIn the game against Yazoo City, he finished w/ 12pts.