RUN Showcase: Regional Blue Chips

Welch’s combination of size and shooting ability makes him a college ready prospect as a wing/hybrid type forward.  His outstanding wingspan and country type grit gives him some ability to mix it up downlow, while having one of the quickest releases in the state supports his ability to stretch the floor. More than just a catch and shoot specialist, the Inola Longhorn looked fluid and confident when quickly getting his shot up while off the dribble. He already has a couple regional small college offers, Welch should be a no brainer for any program looking to floor spacing and versatile size.

Alston remains the most interesting when he’s operating as a stretch forward type, popping off ball screens or setting up off the ball. While he did plenty of that at the RUN Showcase, the Destiny Christian Wildcat also showed he was willing to get his nose dirty while mixing it up around the paint. He’s not the most fluid or strong athlete right now, but he is developing the grit that along with his size can make him be an effective inside-outside threat. And should be a fun recruit for a program that is good at developing post prospects with shooting touch.

This past Saturday was a showcase for Loper’s improving offensive game. He particularly went to work off the dribble with a combination of patient finishing or setting up defenders to gain separation on mid-range fadeaways. In past viewings, Loper had profiled as an all around, “jack of all trades, master of none” type guard. His defensive pride and solid positional size as an active defender are still there but this performance indicated he is developing more to his scoring bag. And the lefty could be set for a huge winter this year with a bigger scoring role for Westmoore.

The skilled lead guard has spent his prep career in Michigan, but will now be at the controls for what is shaping up to be a talented roster for new Oklahoma City based program Grind Prep. On Saturday he showed off a tight handle, good vision and textbook shooting form, indicating the foundation of a good all around guard.  Camp settings are often helter-skelter and Adamson never looked sped up or out control.  With a competitive schedule that starts next month, he looks to be a priority watch to further gage how Adamson does in structure.

Gaich first caught the eye in May at a local event. His activity level, long wingspan and quick second jump marked him as a name to watch going forward. On Saturday, those same traits turned him into a prized recruit for regional small colleges that value upside. He was offered by Northwestern Oklahoma State and Allen County because they see the longterm vision of him as a rim protector and a rim running threat on offense. He was eager to shoot and attempt off the dribble moves, and there does seem to be some potential to be developed on that front, but he’s still currently very raw. If Gach sticks to his current strengths of playing hard and attempting to dominate the paint on both ends of the court, his recruitment will continue to skyrocket.

Brown continues to be one of the most consistent performers in Oklahoma. He’s going to carve out space on the glass, set strong screens, establish deep on the block and surprise with being a little more nimbleness than expected as a roll man and when blocking shots at the rim. He’s the type of prospect that looks like he’ll get every possible last ounce out of his natural ability, due to his blue collar nature. Brown even has reliable soft touch in the 6 feet to 12 feet range. Regional programs looking for a culture setter, physical grinder around the rim would do well to target the Collinsville senior.