Brothers in Beef

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being a big person myself, I always have a special place in my heart for those thick bodied players who get things done on the court. Here is my annual salute to my young Brothers in Beef. Here are a dozen of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1430278,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Langden-Kitchen.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Langden-Kitchen.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1430278" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1161302' first='Langden' last='Kitchen'] (Westran): The 6'7" 250-pound forward will be headed to Northwest Missouri State on a football scholarship next season. In the meantime, he has been enjoying an excellent basketball career which has seen him eclipse the 1,500-point and 1,000-rebound mark. He has been a physical force in the paint in leading Westran to a 19-3 record and a No. 8 ranking in the latest MBCA Class 2 state polls. He led Westran to the championship of the Sturgeon Tournament last week after scoring 19 points in the finals against Salisbury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1167327' first='Jack' last='Gogue'] (Richmond): The 6'8" 265-pound 2023 forward is a multi-sport standout who just gave a commitment to New Mexico State to play football next season. The big lefty has been a dominant force in the paint with his size and shooting touch around the basket. He has also continued to expand his game as a ball handler and 3-point shooter, which makes him even tougher to stop. He led the Spartans to the championship to the Richmond Winter Classic last weekend, which included a 40-point performance in the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1452068,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/Iziah-Purvey-Webster-Groves-2024.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/Iziah-Purvey-Webster-Groves-2024.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1452068" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1259025' first='Iziah' last='Purvey'] (Webster Groves): A solidly built 6'4" 2024 forward who is a matchup problem with his physical strength and versatile skill set. He can operate in the low post with his ability to score and pass out of double teams. He has also spent a lot of time facilitating offense as a point-power forward with his handles and playmaking ability. He is also a solid 3-point shooter. After helping the Statesmen to a Class 5 state title last season, he is averaging 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1471047,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/5B53A880-A1B2-4AA7-91F7-15508B5D887D.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/5B53A880-A1B2-4AA7-91F7-15508B5D887D.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1471047" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Demetris Phillips (Lutheran St Charles): The big-bodied 6'5" 2023 forward has been putting up some impressive numbers as a senior this season. The big lefty can muscle defenders around in the low post while also being able to handle the ball and make plays on the perimeter. He is currently averaging 21.5 points and 10.7 rebounds a game while shooting 61 percent from the field. His physical size and skill level make him a very tough cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1499510,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/9716F4F2-243D-414A-8DD1-05BFB1E451EC.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/9716F4F2-243D-414A-8DD1-05BFB1E451EC.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1499510" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maurice Magruder (Macon): A physical 6'2" wing guard who can impact the game at both ends of the court with his strength and activity. He can score in the paint on tough drives to the basket and offensive rebounds and putbacks. He also has the quick feet and quick hands to guard on the perimeter and the physicality to defend taller players in the post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1161300' first='JD' last='Tate'] (Spokane): A 6'8" 2023 small-school standout who they like to call "Big Country" in the SWMO area. He is a load in the low post when he establishes his position as he is very difficult to move. He finishes well inside with a tough drop step and he uses the glass well. I also like how he can rebound out of his area. He is a double-double whenever he steps on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1775208,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/FF69268A-4822-4476-A8CF-BF11663874DB.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/FF69268A-4822-4476-A8CF-BF11663874DB.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1775208" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1427997' first='Ko'Terrion' last='Owens'] (Charleston): The 6'2" 2024 forward is an undersized post player who plays big and produces big inside for a Charleston team that is trying to repeat as Class 3 state champions. He has good strength and footwork to outmaneuver bigger players in the post on a regular basis. He can also handle the ball on the perimeter when he is needed. He is currently averaging 13.3 points and 7.6 rebounds a game while shooting better than 60 percent from the field for the top-ranked Bluejays in Class 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1485155,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/FA4F09C1-C312-454A-A644-C5071C84B3DA.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/FA4F09C1-C312-454A-A644-C5071C84B3DA.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1485155" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1419872' first='Brock' last='Camp'] (Hickman): The 6'6" 240-pounder is a standout tight end on the Kewpies football team as well as a very skilled power forward on the basketball court. He has a very effective game in the low post with jump hooks, drop steps and turnaround jumpers. He is also very comfortable on the perimeter as a ball handler and playmaker. He can pass the ball well and hit the open perimeter jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cade Limback (Lafayette County): A 6'5" 330-pound multi-sport standout who earned All-State honors in football as an offensive lineman and in track and field in the shot put. On the basketball court, he is the anchor in the middle for the xx, which are currently 18-2 and ranked No. 5 in the MBCA Class 2 polls. When he asserts himself in the low post, he is moving people around like furniture. He catches well and he has a nice shooting touch around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1709845,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/FD241E68-3740-4C44-8237-0C27A2034D08.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/FD241E68-3740-4C44-8237-0C27A2034D08.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1709845" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaliel Boyd (St. Mary's): The stocky 2023 guard is following up on a tremendous football campaign on the football field with a strong senior season in basketball. He has good strength and quickness with the ability to score. He can also hit the high-arching 3-pointer. He is currently averaging 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range. On the football field, he led the St. Louis area in interceptions for the Dragons' Class 4 state championship team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1500133,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/3AC3C603-34EA-45B1-B51B-F84C7F0BD0AF.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/3AC3C603-34EA-45B1-B51B-F84C7F0BD0AF.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1500133" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1070099' first='Ethan' last='Wiley'] (Battle): The 6'5" 2023 power forward has been a physical force around the basket for the past three seasons as a varsity starter for the Spartans. He is an excellent rebounder who works overtime to get excellent position and he has the strength to hold it against anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trey Porter (Greenville): A 6'5" 2024 big bodied center who has an incredible set of hands. When he gets his hands on the ball, nobody is going to take it away from it. He makes tough catches in traffic on rebounds and when he gets it in the low post. He finishes well off the glass and he makes good use of pump fakes inside. I'm also very impressed with his ability to make the outlet pass. After he grabs the rebound, he turns and gets that ball out quickly to start the fast break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->