Breakdown: William Jewell Holiday Classic - Holley Division

*Photo by William Jewell College Athletics   Let's now look at the third and final division, the Holley Division at the William Jewell Holiday Classic. This division features a strong collection of teams with contrasting styles of play, setting the stage for intriguing matchups and highly competitive games throughout the bracket. It also offers players a valuable opportunity to test themselves against high-level competition and showcase their abilities against other standout performers. With the depth of talent in this field, I expect close, competitive contests throughout, with the eventual champion being pushed to the limit.   I will focus specifically on breaking down the first-round matchups, selecting my runner-up and eventual champion, and assembling an All-Holley Division team comprised of the top twelve players in the division.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">First Round Matchups</h3>   Park Hill vs. Van Horn - December 28th, 4:30 PM   Battle vs. Raytown South - December 28th, 6:00 PM   Blue Springs South vs. Winnetonka - December 28th, 7:30 PM   Grain Valley vs. Pembroke Hill - December 28th, 9:00 PM   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Runner-Up</h3>   Park Hill   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Champion</h3>   Blue Springs South   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">All-Division Team</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='2114716' first='Blayne' last='Marshall'] | 6'2" Guard | Senior | Blue Springs South   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Marshall, Blue Springs South's leading scorer, looks to carry his strong early-season form into Liberty as he sets the tone offensively for the Jaguars. He has already delivered several standout scoring performances and plays with a consistently aggressive mindset. Expect Marshall to continue that run, showcasing his versatility as both a downhill driver and a perimeter shooter. He has been particularly effective from deep, knocking down threes both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. His aggressiveness has also led to a high number of fouls drawn, allowing him to pile up points at the free-throw line. On the defensive end, Marshall remains active and engaged, using his instincts to rotate, track the ball, and create steals in key moments.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1850446' first='Chris' last='Ellis'] | 6'2" Guard | Senior | Blue Springs South   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Ellis immediately stands out with his quickness and high activity level, as he consistently finds himself around the basketball and makes the plays necessary to impact winning. Operating as more of a volume scorer, he actively looks for scoring opportunities and applies constant pressure on defenders with his aggressive mentality. Ellis is most comfortable in transition, where his speed allows him to either push the pace with the ball or fill the wing and capitalize on spot-up shooting opportunities. Paired with Marshall, Ellis should serve as a key contributor throughout the weekend and play an important role in the Jaguars' pursuit of a championship.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='2090492' first='Isaiah' last='Caston'] | 6'0" Guard | Senior | Park Hill   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Caston has fully embraced a shift in role this season, transitioning from a pass-first lead guard into the team's primary scoring option. His strong frame, combined with his ability to change direction with the ball, allows him to be effective both in the open floor and within the half-court offense. The most notable area of growth in Caston's game has been his perimeter shooting. His range has clearly expanded, and he is now comfortable pulling up off the bounce into his shot, even against relatively tight defensive coverage. Defensively, his physicality and quickness are equally impactful, as he consistently cuts off driving lanes and forces opposing ball handlers into difficult positions on the floor. Look for Isaiah to lead a tough, competitive Park Hill squad that should be capable of matching up with nearly any team in the division.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='2536441' first='Donnovan' last='Fonville'] | 6'5" Forward | Senior | Park Hill   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Fonville provides balance to the Park Hill attack with his ability to consistently impact the game on the interior. His combination of size, length, and high activity level makes him an extremely valuable presence on the floor. He is shooting a high percentage this season thanks to his ability to generate quality looks around the rim and finish efficiently. Fonville is also expected to be a strong presence on the glass, as his athleticism allows him to outjump most opponents and fight through traffic to secure rebounds. Defensively, he uses his length effectively off the ball, frequently jumping passing lanes to create turnovers that lead to transition opportunities and easy finishes at the rim. Paired with Caston, Fonville should help lead a scrappy, competitive Park Hill squad throughout the division.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1775703' first='Eli' last='Herbert'] | 6'4" Guard | Senior | Grain Valley   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Herbert is one of the premier players in the division, showcasing an elite and multi-faceted offensive skill set that separates him from his peers. He is the best shooter fans and coaches will see all weekend, boasting virtually unlimited range and an effortless stroke he can access in nearly any situation. Herbert serves as the engine for a very solid Grain Valley squad that should be highly competitive throughout the tournament. If he finds a rhythm and heats up — as he has proven capable of doing — Grain Valley has the potential to make a deep run, with Herbert fully capable of taking over games and swinging momentum in his team's favor.</li> </ul>   Mavrick Hawkins | 6'3" Guard | Senior | Pembroke Hill   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Hawkins, the Vanderbilt commit, is another player who belongs in the same conversation as Herbert as the top talent in the division. He immediately stands out with his combination of size and explosiveness from the guard position, creating constant matchup problems for opposing defenses. Offensively, Hawkins is a true three-level scorer who can consistently put points on the board. He also flashes the ability to play above the rim, particularly in transition or lob situations, where his athleticism can energize both his teammates and the crowd. I expect his first-round matchup with Herbert to be a back-and-forth battle, with both players setting the tone and carrying the offensive load for their respective teams.</li> </ul>   Cal Sprott | 6'2" Guard | Senior | Pembroke Hill   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sprott represents the other side of the equation for Pembroke Hill, providing another high-level offensive option alongside Hawkins. His ability to shoot the basketball is impressive, as he possesses deep range and can quickly pull up off the bounce to get to his shot, even when faced with defensive pressure. Beyond his scoring ability, Sprott also shows flashes as a capable passer. He has a strong understanding of player movement and defensive reactions, often delivering timely passes that put teammates in positions to score and impact the game. If Hawkins and Sprott find their rhythm together, the duo has the potential to propel Pembroke Hill deep into the bracket and make them a dangerous matchup for any opponent.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='2334930' first='Brandon' last='Rooks'] | 6'1" Guard | Junior | Battle   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Rooks is another player I would place in the top tier of talent across all three divisions. Physically, he appears to have made significant strides this winter, allowing him to impose his will from the guard position in a variety of ways. An elite shooter, Rooks knocks down a high volume of deep-range threes with an effortless, repeatable stroke. He excels coming off screens and operating within different offensive actions, consistently creating separation and space from defenders. I expect Rooks to have a standout weekend and potentially deliver some of the most impressive performances of the entire event. His play should also draw considerable attention from college coaches in attendance.</li> </ul>   Xavier January | 6'4" Wing | Junior | Van Horn   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>January, a long and athletic wing, is enjoying a strong winter so far and has emerged as the leader of a Van Horn squad that appears significantly more competitive this season. He presents a difficult matchup for opponents, as he can score over smaller defenders while his athleticism and skill make it challenging for bigger players to keep pace with him. Offensively, expect January to play with an aggressive mindset, consistently looking for his shot and getting to his preferred spots on the floor. He is also capable of stretching the defense from beyond the arc, adding another layer to his scoring arsenal. With January leading the way, Van Horn has the potential to be highly competitive throughout the weekend and could pick up a few wins that many may not expect.</li> </ul>   Wendell Edwards III | 6'2" Guard | Junior | Van Horn   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Edwards adds another dynamic element to the Van Horn attack with his up-tempo, aggressive, paint-oriented style of play. He consistently breaks down defenders in both the half court and in transition, using a combination of quickness and power to finish effectively around the rim. His attacking mindset also allows him to generate frequent trips to the free-throw line, as he is adept at drawing fouls and putting pressure on opposing defenses. Beyond his scoring, Edwards impacts the overall flow of the game with his rebounding on both ends of the floor. That ability allows him to control possessions and influence outcomes even when the ball is not in his hands as the primary initiator, making him a key piece in Van Horn's overall approach.</li> </ul>   DJ Coleman | 5'10" Guard | Junior | Winnetonka   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Coleman has emerged as a rising name around the Kansas City area early this season, continuing to lead the way for Winnetonka. He consistently creates plays on both ends of the floor with his quickness and ability to change speeds effortlessly. Coleman can go end to end in just a few dribbles, using his speed to apply constant pressure on defenders, especially in transition. Offensively, he is a willing and capable passer who regularly sets up teammates for quality scoring opportunities. He also features an efficient left-handed shooting stroke and has shown the ability to knock down timely three-pointers in crucial moments. On the defensive end, when Winnetonka applies pressure, Coleman sets the tone and intensity, frequently forcing turnovers and disrupting opposing guards.</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1850450' first='Antonio' last='Fowler'] | 6'3" Wing | Senior | Winnetonka   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Fowler has been a familiar name in the area for several years and has played a major role in elevating the Winnetonka program in recent seasons. Paired with Coleman, the duo forms a potent one-two punch capable of impacting the game both inside and out. Fowler's size and strength allow him to be effective on the interior when needed, while also giving him the ability to attack off the bounce and initiate contact at the rim. He complements that physicality with a reliable scoring touch, knocking down shots from the mid-range and extending his range beyond the arc, forcing defenders to make difficult choices in how they approach him. In addition to his offensive production, Fowler has provided strong two-way value, contributing on the glass and generating steals, further solidifying his impact for Winnetonka on both ends of the floor.</li> </ul>

*Photo by William Jewell College Athletics