Prep Hoops Live: Saturday Highlights (17U)
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There was plenty of action to see on Saturday at Day 2 of the big Prep Hoops Live extravaganza in Kansas City. Here are a few of the highlights from Saturday’s 17U action at the HyVee Arena. Battle of Talented…
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Continue ReadingThere was plenty of action to see on Saturday at Day 2 of the big Prep Hoops Live extravaganza in Kansas City. Here are a few of the highlights from Saturday’s 17U action at the HyVee Arena.
Battle of Talented Bigs
I had the 12:20 p.m. matchup between Mid-Mo Elite and KC Spurs Black circled during the entire week in anticipation of the matchup of standout bigs in 6’9 Luke Northweather Luke Northweather 6'9" | PF Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO of Mid Mo Elite and 6’8 Antwaun Massey of the KC Spurs.
It was a very physical and competitive battle in which both players showed why they are so highly regarded. Northweather is a scoring machine in the low blocks with a variety of moves to get buckets, plus he’s a gifted passer out of the double teams, which he sees many of. Massey is an explosive athlete with a high running motor. He runs the court hard, blocks shots while throwing down some of the most impressive dunks of the weekend.
A pair of point guards who were also impressive in this game were 6’2 I’Ryan Allen I’Ryan Allen 6'2" | PG Ruskin | 2022 State MO of the KC Spurs and 5’11” Isaiah Reams Isaiah Reams 6'0" | PG Mexico | 2022 State MO of Mid Mo Elite. Ryan is one of the top PGs in the KC area. He has a smooth jumper with excellent length and quickness with a high basketball IQ. Reams is a crafty lefty who can blow by a defender off the dribble or change speeds to keep them off balance.
Small School Talents from Missouri
Throughout the day, I was able to get a look at some talented smaller school players from Missouri who are under the radar.
Jaden McCoy Jaden McCoy 6'3" | SG Spokane | 2022 State MO 6’3 DC Kings Missouri: An impressive 2022 wing from Spokane, he is physically strong with the ability to score at all three levels. He was always on the attack.
Caleb Walker Caleb Walker 6'8" | PF Eugene | 2022 State MO 6’7 Missouri Elite: A 2022 post player from Eugene who displayed some good footwork and a nice touch around the basket.
Mason Rumsey Mason Rumsey 6'3" | SG Lafayette County | 2022 State MO 6’2 816 Hoops: A 2022 guard from Lafayette County who will most likely surpass 2,000 points next season. Has a knack to scoring in a variety of ways.
Dalton Collins Dalton Collins 6'1" | SG Rock Bridge | 2022 State MO 6’3 Zoski Elite: A 2022 guard from Fayette who scored 18 points in the game I watched. He has a nice stroke from 3-point range and he will willingly scrap for rebounds and loose balls.
Gateway Shines
The Gateway Basketball Club 17U squad has been impressive throughout the weekend. In the game I watched, they dismantled a pretty talented Alabama Celtics team.
What makes them good is that they have three talented point guards and you can never have enough of those. Brian Taylor Brian Taylor 6'4" | PG DeSmet | 2022 State MO is a 6’4 athlete who can break defenders down off the dribble and wreak havoc on defense. Casen Lawrence Casen Lawrence 5'10" | PG Westminster | 2022 State MO is 5’10 with smooth handles, passing skills and a 3-point stroke. Drenin Dinkins Drenin Dinkins 6'0" | PG South Iron | 2022 State MO is a 6’0 scoring point guard who can create and shoot the deep ball.
There’s talent and versatility at the wing positions. Brandon Mitchell-Day Brandon Mitchell-Day 6'8" | SF MICDS | 2022 State MO is a 6’7 all-purpose player who rebounds well, handles the ball and attacks the basket. 6’2 Nate Straughter Nate Straughter 6'3" | SG Chaminade | 2022 State MO was shooting the 3-ball, 6’6 Brennan Lovette Brennan Lovette 6'5" | SF De Smet | 2022 State MO can cover many spots with is skills and high basketball IQ. 6’5 Preston Golden Preston Golden 6'4" | SG East Carter | 2022 State MO is skilled and explosive. 6’2 Walt Straughter also has plenty of spring.
Up front, 6’7 Isaiah Robinson Isaiah Robinson 6'7" | SF Farmington | 2022 State MO has good length and athleticism to block shots while 6’8 Austin Vick Austin Vick 6'8" | PF Westminster | 2022 State MO has a big body, a solid post game and 3-point range.