Tark Classic Nike Division: Consolation Semi Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LAS VEGAS — After a full day of winners bracket action in the Platinum and Nike Division at The Orleans Arena, we were able to get to Bishop Gorman high school to see the Nike Division consolation semifinal matchups between Palisades and DeSoto (TX) and Layton (UT) and Liberty (NV). Below are the standout performers from those games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2716619' first='Chase' last='Randall'] | Layton (UT)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randall had his jump shot dialed in throughout Monday night's game and he was a lethal catch-and-shoot option from three-point range. The 6-foot-4 senior wing was really smart and timely with his cuts and it generated a handful of easy buckets at the rim. Randall also displayed some off-catch shooting touch from three-point range as he finished with 16 points and three triples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1945830' first='EJ' last='Popoola'] | Palisades</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-5 wing was, by far, the most naturally gifted basketball athlete and player on the floor during the two evening games at Gorman and his combination of fluidity, explosiveness, length and skill overwhelmed DeSoto from start to finish. With his twin brother sidelined with an ankle injury, EJ took matters into his own hands and scored a game-high 30 points in every way imaginable. The junior was getting to the rim at-will and knocking in balanced perimeter jumpers off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jack Levey | Palisades</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Levey brings an incredible amount of savvy to the point guard position for Palisades and put together an impressive all-around floor game in the win. The 5-foot-11 junior is a crafty ball handler who uses changes of speed and hesitations to get defenders out of position for him to get space for a step-back jumper or allow him to get into the lane where he created for teammates. Levey finished with 10 points, six assists and four rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1724368' first='Karter' last='Miller'] | Layton (UT)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about a guy who does a little bit of everything for his team, it's Layton's Miller. The 6-foot-2 point guard is a well-balanced offensive player who mixes in perimeter and interior shot-making with elite vision and a high playmaking IQ. When Miller wasn't breaking defenders down and getting to the rim or to an off-bounce jumper he was delivering passes with laser accuracy to open shooters. Miller, one of the top-ranked juniors in the state of Utah, was credited with 19 points and eight assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Nic Anderson | Layton (UT)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson flashed his fluid, fundamental and quick shooting mechanics that allowed him to get his catch-and-shoot three off with elite quickness and efficiency. The 6-foot-2 guard is the perfect backcourt mate for teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1724368' first='Karter' last='Miller'] and the duo plays off of eachother with precision. Anderson finished with 17 points and four three-pointers as Layton advanced to the consolation championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='3046527' first='Phillip' last='Reed'] | Palisades</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed is one of the top 2029 prospects out west and the impact he has made through his first handful of high school games is not to be understated. The 6-foot-1 point guard immediately took the reins of the offense and is a lock for 10-plus points and 6-plus rebounds per game. Reed used DeSoto's pressure against them with his poise, ability to play through contact and finish strongly at the rim. Reed scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Tra'Davien Young | DeSoto (TX)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young had one of the most green lights to shoot that we have seen in a while and luckily for his team he makes more field goal attempts than he misses. The 5-foot-10 combo guard is best as a pull-up jump shooter from mid-range and three-point levels of the floor. The senior's quickness - both with his first step and his elevation - allows him to separate from defenders and shoot over the top of contested hands. Young is shot out of a cannon in transition offense and his downhill speed really puts pressure on the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Tyus Thomas | Liberty (NV)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas has bounced back well from an injury that sidelined him much of the spring and summer and his basketball IQ and feel for the game are off the charts. The 5-foot-10 lefty is of the true point guard mold with his pass-first mentality, elite vision, timing and accuracy on his deliveries. Thomas also flashed his jump shooting and floater prowess as he finished with 19 points in Liberty's loss to Layton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->