Locust Grove Invitational: Day 1 Early Games: Top Performers
Ace Gilliam HEIGHT 6'0" POS PG CLASS 2026 Ace Gilliam School: Glenpool Ace Gilliam had a hot start to the game with 10 points in the first half. Unfortunately for his team, that is what he ended with. He impacted…
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Continue ReadingAce Gilliam
Ace Gilliam
Ace Gilliam had a hot start to the game with 10 points in the first half. Unfortunately for his team, that is what he ended with. He impacted the game in other areas outside of the first half scoring though. He had multiple rebounds, a block, and played solid perimeter defense. With his scoring, he knocked down a three pointer, had a great cut and finish, and shot 5/6 from the free throw line. He looked good for someone that is a freshman. He flashed his potential in the first half and over time he will continue to get better. Confidence is not an issue for him and that will continue to benefit him. If I did not know that he was a freshman from looking, I would have thought he was a junior with the confidence that he plays with and his skills.
Chief Selfridge
Chief Selfridge
Chief Selfridge is a sophomore but did not look like it. He made scoring look easy, as he finished with 15 points. His scoring came in different ways. He had a steal and finished through contact in transition for an and-one opportunity, another steal and score in transition, he scored inside, knocked down a couple of free throws, and hit a three pointer off of the dribble. Scoring was not the only thing he did to help his team on offense, as he had a rebound and full-court pass for an assist, another play that he drove the gap and dished to an open teammate after the defense collapsed, and some other times that he found the open man. On defense, I recorded four steals for him, as well as him forcing a turnover with great on-ball defense. There was another play that he forced a jump ball, too. He impacted that game in a variety of ways and looked impressive, especially for a sophomore. Until I looked at the roster, I thought he was an upper classman with how he played.
Cale Winfrey
Cale Winfrey
Cale Winfrey showed his ability to score against Glenpool. He made a living scoring inside the arc. It started off with him doing a finger roll, scoring inside when open, driving from the corner and finishing over a defender. It then continued by him scoring over a defender again and getting a steal and finishing in transition. He made five free throws in this game and finished the game with 23 points. His impact went beyond the scoring, as he grabbed several rebounds. I recorded seven rebounds, with four of them being offensive rebounds. His team lost, but it is hard to imagine any scenario where it was his fault in this one.
Jackson Welch Jackson Welch 6’7″ | SG Inola | 2024 State OK had a solid game, despite barely playing the second half. In the first half, he scored 13 points and ended the game with 16 points. He made four three-pointers in this game, had a great drive that he did a fake before finishing with a reverse layup, and then the rest of his points came from offensive rebounds. He had a putback on one of them and then the other one he drew the foul and made both of the free throws. In the game, he had a steal and assist on one of the plays and had a good pass to a cutter on another play. My favorite play from him was when he jumped out of bounds to save the ball, repositioned himself in bounds, and then got the ball back and made the three. It was a good game from him, despite barely playing the second half.
Highlights
Aidan Clark Aidan Clark 6’6″ | SF Inola | 2026 State OK is one of those players that will leave it all on the court and showed that he was willing to do whatever it takes to win. I have 12 points recorded for him, with all of his points coming from in the paint. These came in a variety of ways, as he scored with putbacks, finishing in transition, and him using his size to clear out space to finish. He is a player that reflects solid size and muscle. He knows how to use it to his advantage and that helped him, not only with scoring, but also with rebounding. He had several rebounds and also had a block in the game. He was hustling for loose balls and showed that he is not afraid to dive on the floor. He is a player that is not afraid to do the dirty work or do what it takes to help his team win. He is one of those players that will box out to allow his teammate to get the rebound. Him being a freshman is scary with how impressive he already is.
Highlights
Elijah Thomas
Elijah Thomas
Elijah Thomas is quick and has a lot of athleticism. He was fearless and relentless throughout the whole game, despite the score. He showed the ability to pull-up, as he pulled up from mid-range with a semi-turnaround move to drain the jumper. He made bank by driving to the rim and finishing several times. He ran in transition multiple times, where he would finish at the rim or draw the foul. Not only was he scoring, he was looking to make plays for his teammates. He would drive and kick to open shooters. He had a few rebounds during the game, including one where he grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in without landing. It was a difficult game for his team, but he showed the athleticism that is helping him get offers in football by Arkansas and Oklahoma State. With him only being a sophomore, this should be a bright spot for the team as he continues to develop.