Scouting the Stream: Thanksgiving Hoops

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past week saw some of Oklahoma's top programs venture to Illinois and Texas for prestigious out of state tournaments. Dale and Choctaw both had strong performances in Illinois, while the Thanksgiving Hoopfest provided strong tests and lessons for a trio of Oklahoma City programs. Free streaming on Youtube allowed review of Choctaw's and Dale's contests, while box scores were checked out for the Thanksgiving Hoopfest teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dale goes 3-1 at Kevin Brown Tournament of Champions</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After opening the Illinois tournament on Wednesday with a 51-32 win over the tournament hosts the Washington Panthers, the Pirates saw their 43 game win streak snapped On Thanksgiving, after a back and forth battle, large school Hoover's (AL) size advantage along with foul trouble for the Pirates, saw Dale suffer the 72-63 defeat. The next day, Dale bounced back with a 73-48 victory over another Illinois team, St Laurence. That victory set up one more contest on Saturday against another Illinois program, nationally ranked Metamore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midway through the third quarter against Metamore, it looked like the game was slipping away for the Pirates. Down 45-34, senior star [player_tooltip player_id='1367217' first='Dayton' last='Forsythe'] didn't panic and went to work at chipping away at the deficit. He attacked the basket, drew fouls and closed out the third quarter with 30 points. To open the fourth, Forsythe caught an ally-oop and the momentum continued to flow Dale's way. They would rally and force overtime. In that overtime, Forsythe drained back to back dagger threes that extended Dale's lead and allowed them to secure 69-65 victory to go 3-1 for the week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates are already 6-1 on the season, and host Latta tomorrow (November 27th), with two more big tournaments coming up next month. They host their own tournament next week and end December with a trip to Tulsa, where they look to go back to back at the Tournament of Champions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1367217"],"_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_0_evaluation":"After a 49 point performance to cap off the tournament and a dominating week overall, Forysthe took home MVP honors for the event. His game continues to ascend as along with his improved athleticism, he's become possibly the best off the dribble shooter in the state. He consistently drained deep threes over the out stretched arms of defenders. His improved shooting off ball screens or simply pulling when given daylight has made his driving game all the more dangerous.rnrnWhen needed, he can take over games as a scorer, but he always keeps his point guard hat on. Evidence of that is when he fed teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1579596' first='Trayden' last='Chambers'] for a late go ahead score in regulation. The game often flows through Forysthe, and the unselfish senior star often lets it flow right back out to his teammates. Which allows the Pirates to play as one.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2271123"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"It was noticeable in the opening night victory over Preston that Edmonson looked stronger and more comfortable as a scorer. For the past two years he was already a key component of the roster as a player who elevated his teammate's floors with quality passing and understanding of the game. But he's more confident as a scorer as he enters his junior year. And seems to be developing a habit of popping up in the right place, at the right time to make big defensive plays in the backcourt that turn into instant offense for him.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6565153c56d58"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Choctaw sweeps Saturday at 1st Fred VanVleet Classic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellowjackets opened Saturday morning with a run away 71-33 win over Chicago Bogan . It was a slower start, but senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1698329' first='Camden' last='Hyman'] was a spark for Choctaw in the second quarter. Threes and crafty finishes at the rim jump started the Yellowjacket offense. Which lead to transition points and crisp ball movements in their blowout victory. Hyman would finish with 17 points in that contest, in limited minutes due to the blowout nature. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Choctaw would play a second game on Saturday, against the hosts of the event Auburn Rockford (Illinois). While they would eventually win by double digits, the second contest was a much sterner test. At the half, Choctaw only led 32-30. They would pull away in the third quarter, going up 55-42. Eventually winning 72-58. Next up for Choctaw is the start of 6A District play, as they host Southmoore tomorrow (November 27th). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1367216"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Valentine was huge in the win over Rockford, consistently getting inside and creating for his teammates.  The experience of being a four year starter was evident with his improved decision making as an attacker. He can still get to the rim and finish through contact or hit a nifty floater, but the passes are more frequent. Which often set up high quality looks for his teammates. At times some of his one handed passes were a little wild, but it's such a strong step from early high school days as a high volume scorer. Still, when he needs to get a bucket he can go it. Valentine finished with 16 in the afternoon contest, which included a tough contested, patient 18 footer to end the third quarter.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2283661"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The younger brother of Ja'mon, [player_tooltip player_id='2283661' first='Jordan' last='Valentine'] entered this season with the rep of a spot up shooter, who could potentially turn into a u0022Three u0026amp; Du0022 guy as his game expands.  He hit deep shots in both contest, but he showed that there is room for him to make major strides during his sophomore year. Once when ran off the line, he put it on the floor and hit a good floater. Then had his moments turning defense into offense with grabbing boards or a steal, and making good passes ahead. Choctaw is deep with upperclassmen but the sophomore will have a chance to make his mark this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"AJ Ruffin ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Choctaw","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"With size and the athleticism to be versatile for the Yellowjackets, Ruffin kept popping up on the defensive end with the deflections and steals he created. While on the offensive end he seemed to fit in perfectly with the ball sharing theme that allowed them to earn two victories on Saturday. The energy and depth the senior provided was a great sign for a team that has big goals this season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6565153c56e12"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thanksgiving Hoopfest</strong> <strong>Round Up</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putnam City West 64</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Kimball 67</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a poor first half, the Patriots rallied in the second half to only lose by 3 points against an always talented Knights program from Dallas. Junior Kaiden Rayfield played the full game and recorded a 21 point and 14 rebound double double. But he struggled from the line with a 5-12 performance from the charity stripe, which the skilled forward should be more efficient from going forward. District play starts for Putnam City West tomorrow (November 28th) as they host Norman at the Deep End. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglass 44</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haltom City 62</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending Class 4A champs suffered an opening loss to a Texas program that has a senior forward headed to the University of Oklahoma. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1475987' first='Davon' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1796293' first='Jaden' last='Williams'] are both known for their accuracy from deep and reached double figures with 12 and 14 points respectively. But both guards uncharacteristically struggled from long distance. The Trojans will look to bounce back with a home contest against Tulsa KIPP on Friday, before heading to another out of state tournament next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grind Prep 70</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pace Academy 64</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oklahoma City's newest program continued their nationwide schedule at the Hoopfest. Earlier in the week they went 1-1 at an event in Memphis, then on Saturday picked up the win over a Georgia program, Pace Academy. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1434246' first='Carlos' last='Adamson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1343196' first='Cedric' last='Dixon'] led the way with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Adamson also grabbed 8 rebounds, while Dixon went 4-10 from distance. Senior wing-forward [player_tooltip player_id='1482837' first='David' last='Wilson'] suffered an ankle sprain a couple of weeks ago, which has given more opportunities to sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2327615' first='Kristian' last='Payne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1295739' first='Jantz' last='Alsup']. Payne recorded a very impressive 14 points and 17 rebound double double, while Alsup reached double figures with 16 points. Next week will be an opportunity for Grind Prep to compete in their home state, as they'll be at the Joe Lawson Memorial Tournament in Norman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->