3 Takeaways: TF North vs TF South

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI started out our coverage on Tuesday night with a pair of rivals in TF North hosting TF South.&nbsp; Both squads have highly ranked 2027 guards with projectability so this was a great chance to see them go head to head.&nbsp; TF North led most of the game, but TF South made a run in the second half to take the lead until a late push in the last two minutes by TF North put them over the top by a final of 56-54.&nbsp; Check out our <strong>3 Takeaways: TF North vs TF South!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TF North has a Future D1 Backcourt with 2027 Duo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have to start with the stellar play of TF North's sophomore 6'4” guard tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='2323613' first='Demarco' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2698739' first='Dereon' last='Smothers'].&nbsp; They were outstanding in the victory.&nbsp; In the first half it was Smothers who got things going.&nbsp; He is a long and lanky guard that can play both on and off the ball.&nbsp; Shoots it well from three off the catch and moves well to get open before letting it fly.&nbsp; Has burst with the ball in his hands with his broad shoulders attacking the gaps.&nbsp; Excellent passer finding shooters and being a connector on the offensive end as he went for 13 points.&nbsp; King had a big second half scoring 13 of his game high 18 points in the last two quarters.&nbsp; Another big combo with a great frame and length.&nbsp; He poured in four three pointers of his own in the win.&nbsp; Mixed in slashes, post ups, and scored the game winning bucket with seconds remaining banking in a drive to the cup.&nbsp; Very active off ball defender getting steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophomore Dukes Shows Flashes for TF South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have heard good things about TF South 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2328086' first='Amari' last='Dukes'].&nbsp; This was our first chance to see him live.&nbsp; Long and rangy shooting guard that should continue to grow.&nbsp; The first thing that stood out was the way he rebounded on the defensive end consistently throughout the night.&nbsp; Plus athlete that excels in transition slicing his way through the defense for scores.&nbsp; Also threw down a big alley-oop jam.&nbsp; Flashed defensively including swatting a jumper while scoring 7 points.&nbsp; Projectable wing to track long term.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Small College Senior Gems All over Floor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a ton of prospects in this game that project as nice D3/NAIA/JUCO players at the next level.&nbsp; For TF North [player_tooltip player_id='1295554' first='Nasir' last='English'] is a thick bodied shooting guard that is the heart and soul of their team.&nbsp; Plays with swagger and toughness.&nbsp; He hit a couple threes and slashed for 10 points.&nbsp; Also for TF North Norrye Evans was productive as an undersized and strong bodied power forward at 6'3”.&nbsp; Good defender, rebounds well, and plays with a high-motor as he scored 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For TF South 6'6” senior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2461653' first='Eion' last='Ikner'] caught our attention with his long and lanky frame along with never ending energy he played with.&nbsp; He was quick to the offensive glass for multiple put backs en route to 11 points.&nbsp; Rashad Peoples is a scoring combo guard that shot it well from mid-range and three along with showing toughness inside for 10 points.&nbsp; David Nkwogu is an athletic shooting guard that had burst to the rim and was an intense defender.&nbsp; Nick Ford is a really good mid-range shooter.&nbsp; Nkwogu and Ford each had 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->