Prephoops OK State: 17U Saturday Standouts

The 17U division at Solid Rock got off to an early start on Saturday morning, with action on all four courts for pool play. It will heat up even more tomorrow with bracket play, for now here's a glimpse at a few of the prospect that made noise on Saturday.    The John Marshall scoring guard is closing out his summer strongly. During a big comeback victory for his Icon squad, it was early shooting from Kpgoba that kept his squad afloat. Then he hit big shot after big shot from the mid-range and beyond the arc. In past viewings, he's shown good ability to be a smooth operator getting downhill. If this shooting performance was any indication of the steps he's taken this summer, Kpogba looks set for a breakout year with John Marshall.     Buckingham buried an open triple early on in his second game of the day, and that seemed to propel him to a complete and efficient offensive performance. He made the right reads on ball screens, pitching it to open teammates. Knocked down open jumpers and even looked more fluid and stronger on drives to the rim. The rising junior has grown a tad and is starting to more resemble his older brother who just finished up a very productive senior year at Casady. Crossings Christian has need for more scoring punch to make a run in a top heavy Class 4A, and perhaps Buckingham is ready to step into a bigger role as a junior.     The lanky wing from Kansas is starting to become a forceful two way player. He's comfortable as a spot up threat in the mid-range and three. While also flying around everywhere on defense, getting pieces of jumpers and protecting the rim. Ford has the profile of a late bloomer that makes the right college very happy with an inside-outside defender, who also pops up with timely scoring.     Small town hooper, gave buckets all game long against athletic competition. Plays to his size by being confident and strong with the ball. Which means he didn't get flustered by ball pressure. Flash of good passing and vision, but DNA appears to be that of a scorer. Good finisher at the rim, has surprising nimbleness to spin away from defenders or avoid those that tried to take a change. Effective in the 8-15 foot range for an old school mid-range game. Expect Westrope to be an absolute bucket this winter for his Western Oklahoma small town program.     The playmaker for Team Oklahoma in a pair of Saturday wins. Quick and a handful to keep out of the paint, Cobb has a good layup package. With either fancy finishes or even surprising strength (must be that Edmond North weight program) for his small frame to power through for "And 1" finishes. Also a good distributor on those drives, especially kicking to open shooters. Add in some good energy and timing on defense, and Cobb left his fingerprints all over his team's two wins.     DBA split their games on Saturday and Sanchez made a positive impact in both. He's capable around the rim with scoop finishing and other ways to survive in the paint. A willing passer on those drives as well. While also mixing in a mid-range game and the occasional willingness to fight for rebounds. Good solid all around base for the guard from Texas.

The 17U division at Solid Rock got off to an early start on Saturday morning, with action on all four courts for pool play. It will heat up even more tomorrow with bracket play, for now here's a glimpse at a few of the prospect that made noise on Saturday.