Family First Hoops Classic: Late-Night Prospects Make Their Mark

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Photo by Johaven Noel</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final two games of the night once again showcased a deep collection of skilled and talented players, many of whom turned in impressive performances. Both contests were played with a high level of intensity, featuring stretches of back-and-forth action as each team made runs and responded to momentum swings. Coaches also mixed in different schemes throughout the games, adjusting on the fly to counter opposing strengths and exploit matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I continue to break down the event and evaluate individual performances, this piece will highlight a select group of players who stood out in those late matchups and made the most significant impact on the outcome of the games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2332741' first='Nkem' last='House Jr'] | 6'3" Guard | Junior | Douglass (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>House continued to build on what has been a strong junior season, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he set the tone early by doing moving without the ball, cutting decisively against heavy denial defense to create easy scoring opportunities at the rim. As Staley shifted into a zone defense at different points, House adjusted seamlessly, finding open windows on the perimeter and knocking down timely three-pointers.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He also showed a strong understanding of matchups, consistently recognizing when he had a size advantage against smaller guards. In those situations, he was patient and physical, backing defenders down to establish deep position and convert high-percentage looks. On the defensive end, House was equally impactful. He excelled in denial situations, disrupting passing lanes, preventing ball reversals, and creating chaos that made it difficult for Staley to initiate or flow into their offensive actions.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2335385' first='Jackson' last='Smith'] | 6'4 Forward | Junior | Staley (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Smith is another player who has consistently put together strong performances this season, and once again rose to the occasion against top-level competition. He appears to thrive in those environments, embracing the challenge and elevating his play as a result. Defensively, Smith's versatility stands out. He is comfortable switching onto perimeter players and wings, while also possessing the strength and toughness to battle for position on the interior.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In transition, Smith ran the floor hard on every opportunity, turning effort into production with easy baskets around the rim. Within the half court, he showed good instincts by sealing defenders on ball reversals, creating space to receive the ball inside and finish with soft hands. He also stepped out and knocked down a few three-pointers, adding another layer to his offensive game and making him more difficult to defend and account for within Staley's actions. Overall, Smith serves as a key anchor for Staley, providing rebounding, interior presence, and consistent impact on both ends of the floor.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2393527' first='Zuo' last='Kpogba'] | 6'3" Guard | Senior | Douglass (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kpogba turned in a highly efficient performance, showcasing his ability to score effectively both from the field and at the free-throw line. He consistently initiated contact when attacking the rim, allowing him to finish through size while also creating the separation needed to convert tough looks. His strength and balance stood out, as he finished through that contact at a high rate and repeatedly drew fouls in the process.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Even when the ball wasn't in his hands, Kpogba remained active and impactful. He created extra possessions by crashing the offensive glass, tipping balls to himself, and elevating over defenders to extend plays. His explosiveness and nonstop motor helped him stand out among the majority of players on the floor. As his confidence continues to grow and he further understands how to influence the game in multiple ways, Zuo's season appears poised to keep trending upward.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2114720' first='Kenison' last='Stone'] | 6'4" Wing | Senior | Staley (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Although it was challenging for Stone to find an early rhythm, as Douglass keyed in on his movement and offensive actions, he still found ways to impact the game and steadily built confidence as it progressed. Against Douglass' zone defense, he stayed active without the ball, using purposeful cuts and positioning himself as a weakside lob threat within well-executed zone sets. That activity kept the defense occupied and created opportunities even when touches were limited.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stone's rebounding ability also stood out. He is a dynamic presence on the glass, capable of securing rebounds in traffic while also tracking down balls outside of his immediate area. As the game wore on, he began to capitalize on driving and slashing opportunities, finishing through multiple defenders and using his athleticism to elevate above the defense. He also showed flashes of playmaking, delivering a timely pass out of a post-up situation that highlighted his vision and awareness of defensive rotations. On the defensive end, Stone continued to bring consistent effort, using his athleticism and relentless energy to guard every position on the floor and make his presence felt throughout the game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1560903' first='Trent' last='Perry'] | 6'5" Wing | Senior | Link Academy (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Perry immediately stood out with his combination of strength and athleticism, both of which were on full display throughout the evening with several eye-catching plays on both ends of the floor. Defensively, his length and quickness were especially impressive. He guarded the ball effectively, keeping opponents in front of him, contesting shots, and creating disruption by generating tips and steals away from the ball.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His ability to rotate quickly and cover large areas of the floor allowed him to play with an aggressive defensive mindset, dictating the action and never allowing offensive players to get comfortable. In transition, Perry was a force, covering ground with what looked like just one or two dribbles as he went rim to rim and finished with powerful, emphatic dunks. Offensively, he also showed a strong feel for navigating Millwood's zone defense, consistently positioning himself as a lob threat and finishing above the defense with authority.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2223700' first='Amari' last='Barrett'] | 6'4" Guard | Senior | Millwood (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Barrett was clearly Millwood's top performer on Friday night, shouldering the responsibility as the primary ball handler, playmaker, and scoring option. He seemed to be involved in nearly every possession, consistently influencing the game with his poise and skill. As a driver, Barrett regularly beat defenders off the dribble, drawing help-side rotations and using strong footwork around the basket. He showed patience in the paint, pivoting and taking his time to create angles before finishing with controlled lay-ins.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His impact extended beyond scoring, as he repeatedly outworked bigger players on the glass, securing rebounds in traffic and creating extra possessions for Millwood. Barrett's vision and composure when attacking the basket also stood out, as he consistently found open teammates in scoring positions with accurate, well-timed passes. Moving forward, he projects to remain Millwood's primary option and on-court leader as the team progresses through the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1850526' first='Tristan' last='Reed'] | 6'9" Forward | Senior | Link Academy (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Reed's ability to make a significant impact without carrying a heavy offensive load was truly impressive. Serving as the anchor of Link's defense, he controlled the painted area, blocking shots consistently and, at times, emphatically sending them out of bounds. He played with excellent instincts, and the combination of his timing and length created a defensive presence that is rarely seen at this level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Beyond shot blocking, Reed was active on the glass at both ends of the floor. He showed a strong feel for tracking the ball off the rim and used his size effectively to carve out rebounding position. Offensively, he flashed his potential in limited opportunities, posting up with solid footwork, sealing defenders, and finishing powerfully with two hands in traffic. The most striking aspect of his performance was the level of influence he had despite receiving very few designed touches, a quality that often defines a true impact player.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2831214' first='Javier' last='Richards'] | 6'4" Wing | Senior | Millwood (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Richards played a key role in helping Millwood get off to a strong start, providing an early scoring spark that set the tone. His feel for finding scoring opportunities was evident, as he showcased range with his jumper while also finishing effectively around the rim in tight spaces. He did a nice job relocating without the ball, creating spot-up opportunities by moving away from the dribble, and consistently kept the defense honest.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Richards also took advantage of defenders who lost focus, cutting to the rim at the right moments and turning ball-watching into easy baskets. On the defensive end and on the glass, he competed with purpose, using his length to his advantage and showing a willingness to battle inside. He wasn't afraid to mix it up in traffic or fight for 50/50 balls, rounding out a strong all-around performance.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->