Film Room Heroes: August 4th
In this article:
A new Friday series for August and September, that takes a look back at Oklahoma AAU’s programs games from a busy July! This week, an Oklahoma Impact-Cubit Elite 2024 contest at the Grind Region Finals and a RSE 2024 game…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA new Friday series for August and September, that takes a look back at Oklahoma AAU’s programs games from a busy July! This week, an Oklahoma Impact-Cubit Elite 2024 contest at the Grind Region Finals and a RSE 2024 game from the GASO were broken down.
Want to see your team or players featured here? Send a message on Twitter to @PrepHoopsOK or email samduren@gmail.com with a link to a FULL game video from July.
A spring breakout prospect, early on the stretch forward took advantage of the defense sagging off of him by burying a top of the key open three pointer. After that, he spent a large of the portion of the game battling around the rim on both ends of the court. With his long arms and activity level, he racked up a surprising number of deflections and blocks. Once he secured a defensive rebound or recorded a steal, Alston was comfortable taking a dribble or two before passing it ahead and running the floor hard himself. While he’s willing to battle around the rim on both ends, he needs to improve his efficiency at finishing at the rim. Some of that comes down to adding strength to his frame as he matures, but it’s an important area to watch as Alston works to become a college level prospect.
The game watched from the GASO was not one of Henderson’s better scoring performances. While he was active in getting to his spots in the mid-range, his jumper wasn’t falling at his usual proficiency. He did finally break through with a great iso move, that left the defender in a blender, and him nailing a 12 foot turnaround. In the second half, RSE pushed it more in transition and Henderson’ dynamic finishing ability and even some good passing instincts were showcased. When the 2024 combo guard isn’t focused on just scoring on drives, he has sneaky good vision and creation ability. His ability to get downhill can create hockey assist type opportunities for his teammates from three.
In Impact’s victory, the athletic and aggressive guard was all over the court. Feasting on transition opportunities, that he often created. But he wasn’t just looking for transition points, his overall game was scrappy. Williams used his long arms to be competitive around the rim against bigger foes on the defensive end. Then his good quickness made him a constant threat off the bounce in the halfcourt.
Ky Kougl
Ky Kougl
A glue guy for RSE, Kougl set the tone early when he established him deep on the block for a good post up opportunity. That was a preview of what to come, as the Deer Creek Antler lived around the paint. He was ferocious on the offensive glass, getting put-backs for himself. And even on one possession alone he grabbed three offensive boards. Kougl consistently found himself in good spots around the rim to score and draw fouls. His finishing dropped off a little in the second half, but the motor and blue collar mentality, combined with understanding his role as a battler has him primed to be a key part of Deer Creek’s attempt to make it back to the State Tournament.
The scrappy lead guard reads the game outstandingly, especially on the defensive end. He has a great understanding of where to position himself in transition and on help defense. Fitzgerald often pops up to take a charge or grab a loose ball. Offensively, he does a great job of keeping the ball moving. Always looking to pitch it ahead or make the extra swing to an open teammate. He even he had a great assist out of a ball screen situation, where he had the patience for the defender to fully commit before rifling a great pass in a tight window.
Josiah Thomas
Josiah Thomas
Thomas first caught the eye when he grabbed a defensive board and had the end to end speed, to confidently go coast to coast. He quickly followed that up with a steal and great assist to a teammate. He has good speed for the high school level, and did a good job for a 2025 playing up in 17U against ball pressure. Also when he an opening in the halfcourt, he looked smooth hitting an one legged floater from about 8 feet out. Looks like he’ll have a chance to be an effective change of pace for Moore this winter, with the chance to grow into more.