Walkertown/Mount Tabor – Recap/Standouts
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With the Frank Spencer Holiday Classic going on this week, I had a chance to tune into the first semifinal matchup between Mount Tabor and undefeated Walkertown. The game started with Shamarius Peterkin Shamarius Peterkin 6'3" | CG Mount Tabor…
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Continue ReadingWith the Frank Spencer Holiday Classic going on this week, I had a chance to tune into the first semifinal matchup between Mount Tabor and undefeated Walkertown. The game started with Shamarius Peterkin Shamarius Peterkin 6'3" | CG Mount Tabor | 2025 State NC going early, but it was a sloppy quarter overall as both teams felt each other out. 2 Will Koonin Will Koonin 6'3" | CG Mount Tabor | 2026 State NC free throws late in the quarter made the end of quarter score 10-4 in favor of the Spartans.
Jaylen Wilkerson Jaylen Wilkerson 6'0" | CG Walkertown | 2024 State NC got a bucket to start the quarter and then a Kadyn Turner-Scott Kadyn Turner-Scott 6'2" | CG Walkertown | 2026 State NC FT cut it to 12-9. The game sped up at this point, as buckets were traded back and forth and both teams started running. Turner-Scott made a couple shots including a three to tie it at 20-20, but a crazy Khamari Snell +1 retook lead for Mt Tabor, which ended up being for good. A couple of Koonin buckets pushed the lead out to 28-21, and the teams went into half at 29-24 after another Turner-Scott 3.
Peterkin turned it back up early in the second half, getting involved and making plays on both ends. Walkertown called TO after a Jadon Blair layup made it 37-27 and stretched the lead out again. At this point, Joah Shay Joah Shay 5'8" | PG Mount Tabor | 2024 State NC got involved, being sidelined with foul trouble in the first half. His first 3 came to make it a 19 point game. Wilkerson kept hitting shots to keep Walkertown around. Shay had 11 in the third quarter, including off dribble 3, then a pick 6 layup 5 seconds later. 62-41 end of third quarter as both Wilkerson and Shay made shots, but Peterkin had a driving slam to finish the quarterthat stole the show.
Koonin and Campbell Scurry both had buckets to get the lead out to 69-44 early in the fourth, and it got to 30 as Jadon Blair dunked it home for the exclamation point. The final was 82-54 as Mt. Tabor put an end to Walkertown’s undefeated start and headed to the championship game.
Peterkin motored along all night long, dropping in 16 points in the victory. He showed off elite athleticism, both getting downhill and getting above the rim, making some highlight plays on both ends of the floor. He can be a shot blocker and a rebounder defensively. Offensively, he likes to either get to the rim and get on it or knock down mid-range pull up jumpers. He’s for sure a next level player, and his basketball career will depend on what he decides to do for football.
Wilkerson knocked down some tough shots, especially in the second half, trying to get his team to stay in contention. He can score from multiple areas of the floor, but really likes the off the dribble jumper. He was automatic attacking in transition and getting to that spot this afternoon, as his jumper was pure. He can be a solid defender as well, with less than ideal size to play off the ball but with good instincts.
Jadon Blair
Jadon Blair
Blair started slow but got really involved on both ends of the floor as the game went along to end with a game high 21 points and 12 rebounds. He’s strong and really physical around the interior, as he looks to get dump-offs and play around the rim on offense. Relentless on the glass on both ends, as he looks to get easy put backs or clean up other team’s misses. Liked his burst at certain points in the contest, showcasing how good of an athlete he is (he’s a top safety in the 2025 class as well).
Koonin is a smart, heady playmaker that ran the show well when Peterkin was out of the game, and shared duties while they shared the floor. He consistently made the right play, attacking the paint and either getting fouled, scoring, or finding his teammates for good looks. Showed prowess as an offensive rebounder in this game as he continually stuck his nose in to try and get second opportunities.
Turner-Scott went quiet in the second half, but part of that was due to the Spartans looking to get the ball out of his hands. He had a nice first half, scoring 10 points on a couple threes and drives to the basket. He’s got a smooth stroke, and is not afraid to fire it from downtown either off the catch or off the dribble. I like what he brings to the table as a secondary scoring option for Walkertown, and there is still a lot of room for growth.
Shay, the PWO commit to Auburn, had an electric third quarter today as he put up 11 quick ones in the latter part of the quarter. He knocked down 3 threes, showcasing a brilliant looking, quick shot that he can get off in no time and not be affected by contests. Also super pesky as a defender which he tries to use to make up for the extreme size disadvantage. Can get lower than you and make it hard to beat him on the dribble.