Family First Hoops Classic: Who Stole the Show Early on Friday?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Photo by Sam Lance</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night marked the opening of the Family First Hoops Classic, kicking off the weekend with a slate of exciting and competitive matchups. Several high-level programs took the floor, including a strong showing from teams out of Oklahoma, many of whom delivered impressive performances. The gym was filled with recognizable names throughout the evening, creating an outstanding showcase for both individual talent and program depth. From start to finish, the atmosphere reflected the quality of basketball on display. With play continuing all day Saturday, the level of competition is expected to remain intense as the weekend unfolds. In this article, I'll break down the top players who stood out on Friday night and highlight what they did particularly well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1552344' first='Nate' last='Muriithi'] | 6'5" Forward | Senior | Putnam City North (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Muriithi delivered an impressive performance Friday night, immediately making his presence felt with his physicality and versatility. From the opening moments, he imposed himself on the game, using his strong frame to create advantages in a variety of situations. He was effective scoring inside the paint, but also showed the ability to attack from the wing in face-up scenarios, keeping defenders off balance. Nate finished through contact consistently and displayed a strong feel for finding openings, even when facing multiple defenders around the basket.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One area where Muriithi truly stood out was on the offensive glass. He pulled down several key rebounds on that end, repeatedly creating second-chance scoring opportunities for his team. He also proved to be a reliable lob threat on multiple possessions, a dimension that stretched Blue Valley North's defense and forced them to account for him at all times. On the defensive end, Muriithi's impact was just as notable. His ability to guard wings while also protecting the rim with timely shot blocking added another layer to his overall game and underscored his value on both ends of the floor.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>CJ Duson | 6'0" Guard | Senior | Blue Valley North (KS)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Duson was instrumental in keeping Blue Valley North competitive during the early stages of the game, especially as Putnam City applied consistent pressure. He made his impact felt defensively, generating steals and deflections that quickly turned into transition opportunities for both himself and his teammates. Offensively, Duson demonstrated a strong ability to get downhill, finishing at the rim with either hand, while also making well-timed cuts that led to easy scoring chances.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He was particularly effective in transition, where he played with poise and a high basketball IQ. Running the offense with control, Duson showed a clear understanding of when to push the pace, when to advance the ball ahead, and how to put teammates in positions to succeed. In the half court, he stretched the defense with multiple made shots from deep, while also thriving in actions that allowed him to read the floor and make the right decision. Overall, his all-around play and feel for the game were key factors in Blue Valley North's early success.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2437536' first='Devion' last='Gillispie'] | 6'2" Guard | Sophomore | Putnam City North (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gillispie stood out with his smooth, fluid style of play and his long, rangy frame on the perimeter. He consistently scored from all three levels throughout the night, showcasing a dynamic and well-rounded offensive arsenal. His shooting stroke looked effortless, and he was able to get his shot off quickly, making him a constant threat from beyond the arc. In the mid-range, he was equally effective, pulling up decisively and always appearing comfortable and in control.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As a slasher, Gillispie added another dimension to his game. He displayed impressive dribble pickups, maneuvering around and through defenders with ease before finishing with soft touch on floaters in the lane. His ability to blend skill, length, and scoring versatility provided an element that no other player on the floor could replicate, making him a uniquely impactful presence in the flow of the game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Will Davis | 6'8" Wing | Junior | Blue Valley North (KS)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>It took Davis some time to find his rhythm Friday night, but once he did, he clearly showed why his upside is so intriguing. His momentum began on the defensive end, where his energy and awareness allowed him to disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers. Those defensive plays fueled his offense, giving him opportunities to get out in transition and play to his strengths.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In the open floor, Davis's long strides and effective ball handling helped him glide to the rim for easy finishes. In the half court, he showed a willingness to operate out of the mid-post, where he used solid footwork or faced up to create advantages off the bounce. Defensively, his versatility stood out as well. He was able to guard multiple positions and seamlessly switch across different actions, making him a valuable piece against a tough Putnam City North offensive attack. He punctuated his performance with a couple of highlight dunks, elevating over defenders and finishing with authority.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Joc Mitchell | 6'3" Guard | Junior | Booker T. Washington (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hands down, Mitchell was the most physically gifted player on the floor Friday night. An elite athlete on both ends of the court, he pairs that explosiveness with a powerful frame that allows him to overwhelm opponents. Around the rim, he is a high-level finisher, particularly off two feet, where his strength and bounce make him difficult to stop. In transition, he consistently pushed the pace, often making his speed and power look effortless as he covered ground.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of Mitchell's greatest strengths is his ability to hang in the air as a finisher, adjusting mid-flight and changing hands when necessary to complete plays through traffic. He also flashed legitimate shooting range, knocking down a few catch-and-shoot threes from deep with good lift and a smooth, confident release. Mitchell is the type of player who can take over a game in just a few possessions, and that ability makes his overall impact for Booker T. Washington especially significant.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1850523' first='Oscar' last='Patterson'] | 6'4" Wing | Senior | Cardinal Ritter (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Patterson was hard to miss on Friday night and, at times, served as the driving force for Cardinal Ritter — especially early in the game when the momentum leaned in Booker T. Washington's favor. He possesses tremendous length on the wing, which he consistently leveraged on both ends of the floor. His motor stood out as well, as he repeatedly sprinted the floor in transition and seemed to play without wearing down.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His ability to finish above the rim was a major factor, as defenders struggled to contain him once he built momentum attacking the basket. Against Booker T. Washington's zone defense, Patterson found success operating around the free-throw line, where he faced up and knocked down multiple mid-range jumpers using a variety of releases and fades. On the glass, he made his presence felt by tracking down rebounds outside of his immediate area, displaying strong effort and a relentless pursuit of the ball. Defensively, his length allowed him to disrupt passing lanes and deter opponents from initiating offense in certain spots, further highlighting his all-around impact.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2277651' first='Mason' last='Matulis'] | 6'6" Wing | Senior | Booker T. Washington (OK)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He proved to be a very underrated athlete whose size and length paid dividends throughout the evening. His shooting ability stood out, as he knocked down multiple three-pointers in a variety of situations — whether in transition or coming off movement away from the ball. He did a great job navigating different actions, using off-ball screens to create clean looks and capitalize on defensive lapses.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At times, he also took advantage of mismatches, using his size against smaller defenders to establish position and finish effectively around the rim. On the defensive end, his length was especially valuable within Booker T. Washington's zone. It allowed the defense to cover more ground, close gaps quickly, and limit ball movement, ultimately taking away scoring opportunities and disrupting the flow of the opposing offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2701096' first='Rashon' last='Wright'] | 5'11" Guard | Junior | Cardinal Ritter (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wright added another important dimension for Cardinal Ritter with his ability to create plays from the perimeter. He stretched the defense by knocking down timely three-pointers, forcing defenders to respect his range, while also attacking closeouts and generating offense off the dribble. His quickness and ability to slash through gaps in the defense consistently put pressure on Booker T. Washington, causing them to scramble to recover.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>That combination of shooting and downhill playmaking made Wright a difficult matchup and gave Cardinal Ritter a valuable spark. Overall, the performance was an encouraging one and should provide Wright with confidence as he continues to build momentum moving forward.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->