Championship Scouting: 17U Title Game i4 vs Pro Skills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I4 defended the OKC home turf to come away with the 17U title for the PrepHoops' Oklahoma State Tournament. They're a balanced squad with seemingly a different player stepping up each victory. While they led for most of the title game, Pro Skills from Tulsa did push them late. Making I4 have to value the ball and hit free throws to ice the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Title Game MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2423499"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1cccdbc1e6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was hard to pick just one prospect from I4. Brown was a rock in the middle of the title game contest. It was impressive to see the big man still running the floor, carving out space around the rim and grabbing rebounds. Even stepped out in the mid-range and hit from there. He is a certified "hoss" down low. Strong capper for an impressive spring. Which showed he has fully recovered from a knee injury that slowed his junior high school campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Impact Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>I4 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2382094' first='Bo' last='Barber'], 6'6 2027, Crossings Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With pin point three point shooting and showtime dunks in transition, Barber made a big time impact all weekend long for i4. Even looked to have improved as a passer with some the passes he was flinging around the court. Over the last year, the Crossings Knight has become one of the top PRODUCERS in Oklahoma's Class of 2027. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2408760' first='Isaiah' last='Thompson'], 6'4 2027, OKC Storm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big time game and big time weekend for Thompson. Caught a NASTY body in transition during the semifinals. While also shooting it consistently well throughout the weekend. There's always been intrigue around the lanky and athletic wing, and it appears he's turned the corner to be a true force during his final year of high school basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140726' first='Brody' last='Parks'], 6'4 2027, Bishop McGuinness</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a good title game for Park, as he did hit a bit from distance. His three point shooting is one of his trademark traits. But it's not his only way to impact winning. He's started to fill out his frame over the last year, and was more physical with finishes around the rim and competing on defense. Even with some moments of rim protection thanks to his long arms. Promising "3 and D" potential at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140736' first='Drew' last='Eckel'], 6'3 2027, Crossings Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The glue man for i4, Eckel saw a little action as he continues to make his recovery from a knee injury that ended his junior high school season. It was good to see Eckel still has a good three point shot as a floor spacer. As he rounds back into full health, expect him to be a valuable piece who impacts winning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ProSkills Tulsa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2948324' first='KD' last='Nichols'], 5'10 2027, McLain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ProSkills might not have come away with the title, but the north Tulsa guard continued to prove he's a competitor. Nichols is a quick and strong athlete, who flashed the ability to finish above the rim. While also having outstanding handles and poise. Is a tough cover because he can blow by defenders to the rim, or stop and pop in the mid-range. After a breakout junior campaign, Nichols proved himself one of the top lead guards int he 918. Now with a year left of high school, he could become one of the better guards in all of Oklahoma. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2834325' first='Zhacari' last='Jackson'], 5'10 2027, Berryhill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson was a key part of ProSkill's tough minded, "heart over height" backcourt. His speedy play would turn defensive rebounds into lay ups. While also being able to play under control in the halfcourt by playing off of two feet. And having his own equally effective mid-range game. Loved the effort he showed on Saturday when he made a hustle play to save two points by racing back and poke out the ball as an opponent went for a transition layup. Had moments of good feel as a transition passer and out of ball screens. 918 gem, who has previously been undercovered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2805584' first='Kamren' last='Boone'], 6'6 2027, Pro Skills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big weekend for the Tulsa Memorial big man. Was on the rims with dunks. Had great timing as a rim protector on defense and rebounder on both ends of the court. Even looked more confident and stronger with some of his post moves on the low block. Also had a face up drive leading to a spin and score out of the high post. A late bloomer, there's still untapped potential that the right JuCo could unlock for the long armed post prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->