Noble Classic: Impact Players Deliver Big Moments Friday Night

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Photo by Johaven Noel</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Session IV of the Noble Classic officially tipped off Friday night at Oak Park High School in Kansas City, setting the stage for an exciting slate of high-level competition. The evening delivered no shortage of action, as fans were treated to a wide range of standout performances across the floor. Established names lived up to expectations, showcasing the skills and leadership that have made them familiar faces, while several emerging talents seized the moment with breakout performances. With the spotlight firmly on them, these players took full advantage of the competition and platform, making a strong impression and adding to an already memorable opening night of Session IV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1593892' first='Donovan' last='Criss'] | 6'6" Wing | Senior | [player_tooltip player_id='2382174' first='Brennan' last=''] (TX)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Criss, the UTEP commit, delivered exactly what was expected in a dominant performance against Little Rock Central. His length and athleticism on the wing immediately stood out in person, creating constant matchup problems for the defense. Off the bounce, Criss repeatedly attacked the rim with confidence, consistently applying pressure and forcing defenders to react. He showed impressive touch finishing through contact, smoothly converting at the basket with either hand, even in heavy traffic.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Beyond his slashing ability, Criss also flashed legitimate shooting range from the perimeter. He looked comfortable and composed knocking down shots in rhythm, particularly in drive-and-kick situations where he was able to step into his jumper with confidence. Throughout the game, he brought noticeable energy, communicating effectively with teammates and helping set the tone on both ends of the floor. Defensively, his length was a major asset, allowing him to rotate quickly, disrupt passing lanes, and provide timely rim protection, rounding out a well-balanced and highly impactful performance.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2939641' first='Isaiah' last='Ward'] | 6'6" Wing | Senior | [player_tooltip player_id='2382174' first='Brennan' last=''] (TX)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ward was the most explosive athlete on the floor in the matchup with Little Rock Central, consistently standing out with his quick-twitch athleticism both with and without the basketball. That burst allowed him to create separation and generate advantages at will, whether attacking off the dribble or cutting into open space. On the defensive end, he was highly active and disruptive, coming away with multiple steals that immediately turned into transition opportunities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In the open floor, he finished above the rim with ease, showcasing his vertical pop, while also demonstrating an advanced ability to maneuver through defenders and avoid unnecessary contact when the lane tightened. In half-court situations, he displayed a confident mid-range game and a strong understanding of how to read and attack different types of help-side defenders as they rotated. His combination of athleticism, feel, and two-way impact made it clear why he has accumulated numerous scholarship offers, including multiple from Power Four programs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Delano Tarpley | 6'10" Forward | Senior | [player_tooltip player_id='2382174' first='Brennan' last=''] (TX)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another UTEP commit, Tarpley showcases a high ceiling thanks to his impressive size and length. He displayed flashes of advanced footwork and patience in back-to-the-basket situations, demonstrating an understanding of defensive leverage and how to attack a variety of coverages. Rather than rushing his moves, Tarpley showed the ability to let plays develop, making smart adjustments based on how defenders played him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensively, he made a strong impact as a rim protector, actively contesting shots, blocking multiple attempts, and altering several others around the paint. His motor also stood out in transition, as he sprinted the floor on multiple occasions, showing the ability to change ends quickly and apply immediate pressure on the defense. With continued development at the collegiate level, Tarpley projects as a player who could really emerge over time, turning his physical tools and flashes of skill into consistent production.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2090498' first='Kain' last='McCaskill'] | [player_tooltip player_id='2556233' first='6'2' last='']" Guard | Senior | Vashon (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>McCaskill's athleticism and explosive speed with the ball were immediately evident from the opening moments of the game. He consistently looked to push the tempo and operate in transition whenever opportunities presented themselves, playing with a strong sense of pace and awareness that kept constant pressure on opposing defenders. His ability to attack quickly forced the defense to react, often putting them on their heels.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Around the rim, Kain effectively used his athleticism to his advantage, frequently playing above the rim and finishing strong through traffic. Whether converting difficult finishes or tipping in opportunities in crowded areas, he showed excellent body control and touch. Additionally, McCaskill helped spark a noticeably more energized Vashon group coming out of halftime. He elevated the team's intensity on the defensive end, setting the tone by pressuring ball handlers and leading the charge in forcing turnovers from opposing guards.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2334961' first='Leon' last='Powell Jr.'] | 6'6" Wing | Junior | Vashon (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the most intriguing prospects from a physical standpoint on Friday was Leon. He possesses excellent length paired with a lean yet sturdy frame, and he consistently plays with a high motor and strong effort. His physical tools immediately stand out, especially when combined with his willingness to compete on every possession.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensively, Powell was very active and impactful, using his length effectively to bother ball handlers and disrupt passing lanes. His anticipation and reach allowed him to create problems for the opposing offense and take away easy looks. On the offensive end, he showed a good feel for the game, regularly finding openings against Melissa's zone defense. He was able to generate scoring opportunities both around the rim and from the mid-range area. With his physical profile and developing skill set, he has significant upside and could become a notable name to watch as he continues to progress through his junior season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jimmy McKinney III | [player_tooltip player_id='2556233' first='6'2' last='']" Guard | Senior | Vashon (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>McKinney continues to serve as the driving force behind Vashon's offense, consistently bringing energy, effort, and intensity on both ends of the floor, and Friday's performance was no exception. His ability to reliably make plays for Vashon stood out, as he showcased his versatility as a scorer by impacting the game in multiple ways.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Beyond his scoring, McKinney demonstrated strong leadership throughout the game, communicating effectively with teammates and helping direct the offense in a variety of situations. Offensively, his game continues to evolve, as he showed the ability to stretch the defense with his shooting while also attacking downhill with purpose. His improved decision-making and ability to read the defense allowed him to create quality opportunities for both himself and his teammates.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2569193' first='Braiden' last='Alford'] | [player_tooltip player_id='2556233' first='6'2' last='']" Guard | Sophomore | Vashon (MO)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Alford consistently stood out throughout the matchup against Melissa due to his impactful two-way performance on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he was extremely active and engaged, regularly applying on-ball pressure and doing an excellent job of anticipating passes to disrupt passing lanes. His quick hands and awareness created problems for the opposing offense and helped generate transition opportunities for his team.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In the open floor, Alford looked especially comfortable and confident. He excelled in transition situations, where he attacked the basket decisively while skillfully avoiding contact, allowing him to finish plays with impressive creativity around the rim. Offensively, he also proved to be a reliable option in critical moments, knocking down several timely and clutch shots that played a key role in keeping Vashon competitive and within striking distance throughout the game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->