Mustang Holiday Classic: MVP & First Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A look back at the top performers from last week's loaded Mustang Holiday Classic field. With [player_tooltip player_id='1068566' first='CJ' last='Smith'] leading Putnam City North to the championship and earning MVP offers, along with 5 other standouts earning first team honors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1068566"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The MVP of the tournament, it was a fitting cap to the year of 2022 as Smith went from a good player in the Class of 2023 to one of Oklahoma's best. Over the three games he averaged 20 points on a blistering 62% from the field. This was through a combination of knocking through threes and also using his size and athleticism to get to the rim or create quality looks in the midrange.rnrnSmith has always had u0022D1u0022 upside and over the course of the past year the light has fully came on for him, making him not only a D1 talent but also. D1 producer. Right now his recruitment is falling victim to being in Oklahoma. If he was a prospect with the same physical traits and senior year production, in Dallas, Houston or Kansas City, Smith would be entertaining much more interest from low to mid major programs looking for unsigned seniors. Especially as he has excellent academics, which could open up interest from Patriot and possibly Ivy league programs. Hopefully the amazing start to Smith's senior year continues and his recruitment gains momentum.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Kejuan Payne","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Putnam City North","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another athletic and efficient scorer, Payne was extremely impressive all three days for North. He's a key component of their defense with his intensity and athleticism. The athleticism manifests in blocked shots, deflections and on the offensive end, dunks. While he starred in his role as a defender, it was also his ability to efficiently score in the mid-range that elevated his status as a college prospect. Payne earned a u0022JuCou0022 offer and while he has strong academics, he's the type of athletic and hungry prospect who could flourish with a year or two in the JuCo ranks before finding a home at a four year college.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1391441"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The skilled scorer for the Broncos is enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign.  He opened the tournament with 19 points in a win over Pocola and went on to average 13.7 for the three games. What was impressive about his scoring was his ability to attack off the bounce. Right now he's still gangly, seemingly all long arms and legs. But his handle is becoming tighter and he's playing stronger through contact. He's even battling more on the defensive end, using his size to his advantage to be more impactful.  The signs are there that in the next few seasons, Miller could have the deepest u0022bagu0022 in the state when it comes to ways to score.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1372127"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A newcomer to the Hornets, Holdman is one of the more athletic guards in the state. When he gets downhill, he plays well through contact with his combination of strength and explosiveness.  For the tournament he averaged 14 points a game, as Booker T Washington went 2-1, finishing in third place.rnrnWhat is holding the athletic power guard back as a prospect is lapses in intensity. He's often the most athletic player on the court, but lacks the assertiveness to take over. In the semifinal match up vs Mustang, he kick started a second half rally attempt for the Hornets, which had trailed by double digits the entire game. It started when he showed his explosiveness by finishing a dunk through contact in half-court. The power dunk brought swagger and intensity to himself and his teammates. If that attitude and action becomes more common for Holdman, he would be one of the best players on the east side of Oklahoma.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1211255"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"England averaged 16 points for the tournament for Class 5A contenders. His biggest scoring outburst came in a semifinal match up with 24 points against one of the top defenses in the state, Putnam City North. In that game, England was unstoppable in the second half, while he had his usual gritty scores at the rim. He also was on fire knocking down off the dribble shots in the midrange and from deep. In their opening round victory over Southmoore, he also scored key points in the second half. Against a tough Booker T Washington team, he was subdued in his offensive point.rnrnFrom watching England so far this season, it's consistency that separates him between u0022goodu0022 and u0022greatu0022. If the senior league guard more often channels the energy and intensity he showed in second halves against North and Southmoore, the Titans will have a strong chance to win it all in 5A.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1170047"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"After a slow start in the opener, Southmoore's senior leader turned it on to help the Sabercats lead them to back to back wins over Class 6A foes. In those two victories, Guerrero averaged 17.5 points per game, going 4-7 from beyond the arc in both. Always a strong spot up threat, Guerrero showed his range extended to a few feet beyond the line, and had moments of looking better when putting the ball on the floor to score himself or create for teammates.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b0a333576e2"} /-->