Difference Makers Holiday Classic standouts

The annual Difference Makers Holiday Classic took place Saturday at Life Center Academy with a diverse slate of games taking place across the day. See below for a few standouts from the early portion of the event.    Kornegay made the biggest individual splash we saw all day, getting loose for 34 points in a blowout win. The hard-charging forward played with a nonstop motor throughout the contest while wreaking havoc near the rim. He attacked consistently in transition while also bringing consistent activity to the halfcourt setting as a cutter and offensive rebounder, oftentimes before finishing emphatically above the rim. His blend of size, athleticism, motor, and budding skills should make him a scholarship-level target over the remaining portion of the season.     Despite a buzzer-beating loss, Hutson put together a dynamic individual performance while carrying his Garden State squad for much of the game. A jitterbug with the ball in his hands, he was difficult to stay in front of while dancing to his spots offensively. Hutson established himself early on as a pullup threat from beyond the arc, dragging the defense out to be able to capitalize with downhill attacks off the bounce. While known as more of a scorer, he also impressed with some advanced passing reads to spoonfeed teammates for easy looks. Continuing to mature as a true lead guard will give Hutson a chance to earn scholarship-level attention heading into the latter portion of the season.     It was a balanced effort that led Phelps to a narrow win on Saturday afternoon but Bah made a handful of plays throughout the game that made him look like the most intriguing long-term talent of the bunch. After missing the early portion of the season with a wrist injury, he's stepped into an immediate role while attacking consistently from either backcourt spot. A lengthy, quick-twitch guard, he shows promise as a floor-spacer off the catch but really intrigues with dynamic downhill drives that showcase his budding athleticism and natural playmaking feel. The Moorestown Friends (NJ) grad is still a bit rough around the edges, but clearly possesses talent worth investing in at the scholarship level, particularly when factoring in he's still just 17 years old while in the midst of a post-grad year.     Middle took a tough loss to Samuel Fels (PA) but Moore nonetheless managed to stand out with his individual effort. A southpaw Swiss-army knife, Moore played all over the court on his way to a team-high 17 points. He saw time initiating offense at the point of attack while also spotting up on the wings before attacking into space for tough finishes at the rim or smooth passing reads. Moore's versatility at his size makes him an under-the-radar option for area D2 or JUCO programs or a potential steal if he slips to the small-college level.     Favors played a complementary role for Fels, which cruised to a blowout win, but impressed with a translatable blend of skills and physical tools. Working his way to 11 points on the day, the emerging junior stood out with his length and fluid athleticism on the wing while staying consistently active as a cutter and slasher both in the halfcourt and transition. He used his length and quickness to make plays on the defensive end and also flashed a workable shooting stroke out to the arc. He's still putting the pieces together but Favors put himself on the radar as an intriguing long-term prospect to file away for the future.

The annual Difference Makers Holiday Classic took place Saturday at Life Center Academy with a diverse slate of games taking place across the day. See below for a few standouts from the early portion of the event.