Community Christian Classic Day 2 Standouts
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With the first in season tournament weekend underway, there’s a buffet of outstanding basketball all over Oklahoma. On Friday, it gave an opportunity to check out a group of smaller classification teams at Community Christian’s 3rd Annual Tournament. With match…
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Continue ReadingWith the first in season tournament weekend underway, there’s a buffet of outstanding basketball all over Oklahoma. On Friday, it gave an opportunity to check out a group of smaller classification teams at Community Christian’s 3rd Annual Tournament. With match ups between hosts Community Christian against Tulsa KIPP and a potential Class 4A area preview type match up in Heritage Hall against Anadarko.
In the afternoon contest, Community Christian led wire to wire. While in the first semifinal game, Anadarko looked poised to do the same, as they consistently led by double digits for much of the contest. But in the final frame Heritage Hall was able to create transition points, hit clutch threes and finally a go ahead free throw to set up a championship tilt against another top Class 4A team, Weatherford. It was the senior duo of Kyle McLaughlin and Orie Walker Orie Walker 6'3" | SG Heritage Hall | 2023 OK who hit big shots from deep and got out in transition to spark the come from behind win for the Chargers. Walker hit the free throw to complete the 49-48 comeback, with another free throw late being wiped out by a lane violation.
Boxy Wallace
Boxy Wallace
The best player on the court for the afternoon consolation contest, Wallace stood out in a multitude of ways. He’s comfortable with taking shots from well beyond the arc, while also stepping into pull ups. In transition he displayed his explosiveness with a game capping slam. He was best as a driver attacking off the wing, taking advantage of opponents overplaying him after draining threes.
There were good promise as a passer, as within in the flow of the offense he made strong one handed passes, with good velocity to open teammates. But on drives, his playmaker skills were lacking in this viewing. Once downhill it seemed a lock he was going to the rim to attempt to finish himself, even in heavy traffic. There was even a time in transition he would’ve done well to pitch it ahead to an open teammate but instead was focus on attacking the rim himself. Right now off this one game, he grades closer to a two guard with a good scoring repertoire, but there’s the potential with improvement to his playmaking skills for him to become more of a modern combo guard.
It was not the best shooting day for the freshman sharpshooter. Even though he had some clean looks, it wasn’t till the fourth that a bomb from beyond the arc finally fell for him. Despite the poor shooting, the rest of his offensive game looked well drilled. He’s a heady passer, especially finding teammates with cross court passes. While watching him off the ball, Edwards moves with purposes and is a willing screener. Which helps set up open looks for teammates, but he understood how to screen in a way that would lead to him popping open himself.
There were also small moments of struggling with the physicality and pace of the high school game with a couple turnovers. The poor shooting and miscues were obvious growing pains that except for maybe a handful of “phenoms”, prospects have to work through. Edwards will be a freshman to keep tabs on as his game continue to develop.
Rayden Churchill
Rayden Churchill
Also a standout on the gridiron, the big body guard was the Warriors’ most effective player on the night. He was a versatile scorer with the ability to knife and bully his way through defense on drives. Or set up in the post, and hit fadeways. There were even good moments of patience where he drew the defense’s attention on posts ups, and then was able to swing it around to the open man. If Friday’s evening contest was an indication of Churchill’s usual game, he’ll be one of the more effective scorers in the small school ranks this winter. On defense he didn’t quite have the same level of patience and feel, with some over aggressive play that led to foul trouble.
One of the top athletes in Oklahoma, he flashed at moments in transition and had a particularly acrobatic drive and finish. In the slower pace game, he struggled to find his rhythm. And was not effective at attacking the zone Heritage Hall played for much of the half. His quiet day could’ve been redeemed as in the final seconds he got open for a midrange jumper but unfortunately missed. The upside remains there for Owens, but the next step will involve him becoming more effective in half court settings and not allowing his game to become muted.