Friday Night District Championship Standouts

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top individual performers from Friday’s big night of district championship action from around the state.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Helias</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Desmond-White.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1211221" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Desmond-White-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070093" first="Desmond" last="White"]: The 6’2" 2023 guard scored a game-high 21 points in the Crusaders’ 61-44 victory over cross-town rival Jefferson City in the Class 6, District 7 championship game at Warrensburg. He’s an electric bucket from all three levels, but he also rebounds, plays defense and makes plays for others.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/50DE96EA-39F3-4077-AA4C-718DB4BD3FEC.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1225819" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/50DE96EA-39F3-4077-AA4C-718DB4BD3FEC-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1180102" first="Malcolm" last="Davis"]: The 6’1" 2022 guard scored 20 points in the victory over Jefferson City on Friday night. The sturdy shooting guard is an excellent 3-point marksman who is also a very resourceful offensive player who can create off the dribble and get himself to the free throw line.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Bolivar</h5> <h5> </h5> <h5> </h5> <h5><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lukas-Gabani.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1257106" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lukas-Gabani-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a></h5> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="1180797" first="Lukas" last="Gabani"]: The 6’8" 2022 forward scored a game-high 17 points in the Liberators’ 46-38 victory over Parkview in the Class 5, District 6 championship game at Willard. He was a force inside as he used his size to dominate with his scoring and rebounding. He scored 11 points in a big-second half as he powered inside for buckets and was mobile and tenacious on the offensive boards. He played like the biggest player on the floor, which was most impressive.</h6> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/45E74B2B-84EF-4432-B10E-82362D012050.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1222521" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/45E74B2B-84EF-4432-B10E-82362D012050-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070084" first="Kyle" last="Pock"]: The 6’7" 2023 standout scored nine points in the victory over Parkview, but his floor game was most impressive on Friday night. He is capable of putting up big numbers every night, but he is also Bolivar’s point forward and main playmaker. His ball handling, passing and decision-making were most important to combat a smaller Parkview team that applied full-court pressure for most of the night.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>MICDS</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/3C576E37-A458-4B8A-BA88-E36ACC5E398C.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1217908" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/3C576E37-A458-4B8A-BA88-E36ACC5E398C-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1161296" first="Marcus" last="Coleman"]: The 6’2" 2023 guard scored a career-high 25 points in the Rams’ 60-36 victory over John Burroughs in the Class 4, District 6 championship game at University City. I was in attendance at this game and he was impressive in leading the Rams after they fell behind early 9-0. He’s physically strong enough to score in the paint and he can get buckets at all three levels. He knocked down four 3-pointers, including a pair of triples in third quarter to help break open a close game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/2739681B-B4F3-4F07-B240-397887C66C59.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1202469" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/2739681B-B4F3-4F07-B240-397887C66C59-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="984509" first="Brandon" last="Mitchell-Day"]: The 6’8" 2022 Dartmouth recruit scored 15 points in the victory over John Burroughs. He has a major presence on the defensive end with his shot blocking on the back line, which gives his teammates the confidence to guard aggressively on the perimeter. He was at his best on offense when he was attacking on the drive or getting the ball down low. He is a versatile playmaker on the perimeter where he can handle the ball and find the open teammate with the pass.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Fair Grove<br /> <br /> </h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="985424" first="Devin" last="Carroll"]: The 6’4 2022 guard scored 41 points and added nine rebounds and four assists in Fair Grove’s victory over Versailles in the Class 4, District 10 championship game. He displayed his smooth lefty shooting stroke with five 3-pointers. He dominated in all facets of the game in addition to his potent offensive burst.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Springfield Catholic </h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/E146A0AC-570E-47F9-AF12-5807281BEF1B.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1223338" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/E146A0AC-570E-47F9-AF12-5807281BEF1B-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991577" first="Zach" last="Howell"]: The 6’5" 2022 guard scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Irish past Rolla in the Class 5, District 5 championship game. Not only does he scored and knock down long 3-pointers, but he plays a very solid overall floor game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Staley</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/FA2E8F25-665F-4C6E-A407-4F51571E88BD.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1219705" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/FA2E8F25-665F-4C6E-A407-4F51571E88BD-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070094" first="Kyan" last="Evans"]: The 6’1" 2023 point guard scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Falcons to a victory over Liberty in the Class 6, District 8 championship game. He is capable of controlling the game in so many areas. He has deep shooting range along with the athleticism and quickness to penetrate in the lane.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/434865C4-0671-495B-9544-29F86233D032.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1221241" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/434865C4-0671-495B-9544-29F86233D032-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Kaden Fish: The 6’6" 2023 forward scored 19 points in the victory over Liberty. The Big Fish really asserted himself inside in the second half as the Falcons pulled away after holding a four-point lead at halftime. He is physically build and strong around the basket, but he is also explosive with good footwork. That makes him tough to handle around the basket.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>St. Charles West</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/6D5D6C95-5529-4A8D-935D-358EA5231C23.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1401114" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/6D5D6C95-5529-4A8D-935D-358EA5231C23-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1070111" first="Barry" last="Thomas"]: Th 6’1" 2023 guard scored a game high 19 points to lead the Warriors to a 40-34 victory over Orchard Farm in the Class 4, District 7 championship game.  With his team trailing, he took over the game in the second half with his ability to attack the rim to score and get to the free throw line. The talented University City transfer has been on fire since becoming eligible in late January as he averages close to 20 points a game. He’s very quick and he loves to slash to the basket and score on the move.</p>