Riverside Survives at Milwaukee Academy of Science
MILWAUKEE — Talent means a lot in the game of basketball. But nothing outweighs experience.
Going on the road against a young, star-driven Milwaukee Academy of Science (12-7) team, Milwaukee Riverside (13-5), led by a senior backcourt was able to hold off the up and coming squad.
Carlos Curtis – 2018 – G – Milwaukee Riverside
Two early fouls slowed Curtis’ production down in the first half. After that, he took over down the stretch to will Riverside to a victory.
In crunch time, Curtis got to the rim time and time again to keep the Tigers ahead. When there was a big shot to be had, it was Curtis taking it. The East Tennessee State commit is so difficult to keep out of the paint. At 6-foot-2, Curtis has the handles, strength, and quickness to get wherever he wants on the floor. His body control in traffic is just outstanding as Curtis can hang and finish even as he’s going to the ground.
East Tennessee State commit @CarlosCurtis23 bringing the THUNDER!#wisbb pic.twitter.com/6L1KWJE53x
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) February 8, 2018
In isolation sets, Curtis usually owns his defender. He simply sizes his man up or even lulls him to sleep before exploding to the rim. The point guard skills continue to improve as well. Curtis realizes how much attention he receives. Teams consistently try and pack the paint against him, but now Curtis has the vision and awareness to make them pay with the pass.
Curtis finished with 17 points, doing most of his damage in the second half, during Tuesday’s win.
Darius Hannah – 2020 – PF – Milwaukee Academy of Science
Hannah had 13 points and five blocks in the loss.
Love the shot blocking ability of this 6-foot-7 forward. Hannah has some ridiculous length, which helps, but most impressively, he blocks and alters shots without fouling. Hannah doesn’t leave his feet until his man does, plays the vertically rule extremely well, and can even come away from the rim to defend people if he gets caught up in a switch.
Offensively, Hannah is just scratching the surface. He can put the ball on the ground a bit and will sometimes even bring it up the floor in transition. If he can get to his left hand, Hannah can slash from 12-15 feet and has decent touch in traffic. If left open, Hannah can step out and shoot the basketball from 3-point range as well — although it’s not a shot he necessarily hunts.
Recruiting has been a little slow, but expect Division 1 programs to closely monitor Hannah and his hhuge upside after seeing him on the Adidas circuit this spring.
Montrell Jacobs – 2018 – G – Milwaukee Riverside
Junior colleges should be flocking to Riverside to try and land this kid. Jacobs is having a breakout year already, but the shot the lights out and took things to another level on Tuesday.
Jacobs exploded for 27 points, going stretches where he’d knock down 3-4 shots in a row from the outside. Jacobs wouldn’t miss in the first half, pouring in 17 points to help Riverside stay afloat with Curtis on the bench. A deadly 3-point shooter, Jacobs loves spotting up in the corner or the wing. On the ball, if he’s not hounded, Jacobs is fine with pulling up after one dribble and letting it fly. He’s also a guard that can score with his momentum going away from the rim, showing off a nice step back jumper.
2018 guard Montrell Jacobs went OFF for 27 points vs. Milwaukee Academy of Science. #wisbb pic.twitter.com/KXIPmU0Ttt
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) February 8, 2018
While he’s an instant offense type guard, Jacobs does have some value on the other end. Jacobs had a couple of huge blocks at the rim, coming over from the weak-side and sending the ball off the glass with authority. Jacobs can play above the rim on offense as well. In fact, Riverside will toss him alley-oops, which he’s routinely finished this season.
A little undersized, Jacobs could benefit greatly by going the JUCO route and showing he can put up numbers against bigger, stronger athletes. However, he did say a few Division 1 programs are expressing interest this season.
Kaleim Taylor – 2020 – PG – Milwaukee Academy of Science
When all is said and done, this might be the No. 2 prospect in Wisconsin’s 2020 class.
Taylor didn’t have his best stuff, but when you can score 25 points and have your team in position to win late against one of the top teams in the Milwaukee City Conference, there are a ton of players who would kill for that kind of “off night.” A fearless guard, Taylor remained relentless and aggressive all night and willed his team back from a nine-point second half deficit.
The all-around package that Taylor provides will be very intriguing to high major programs. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard is very strong and explosive on the ball. Taylor is a bully with the ball in his hands. If he can’t get by people, Taylor has no problem going through defenders. Taylor really impressed against a fast, athletic defense by getting to the rim in just one or two dribbles max from the top of the key.
2020 PG Kaleim Taylor (@Kaleim_Taylor4) scored 25 points vs. Riverside. pic.twitter.com/1f46T8CTca
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) February 8, 2018
Taylor can be an excellent fit in a lot of systems. He’s an uptempo guard, but Taylor makes really good decisions in the pick n’ roll and was still able to find open jumpers and drives to the rim against the zone.
After scoring eight quick points to start the game, including two 3-pointers, it probably made Taylor over-confident. He slowed down until late in the game, forcing the issue too much which resulted in turnovers or wild drives in traffic. Still, in the two games we’ve seen him this season against city powers Riverside and Washington, Taylor has had some big time moments against older, Division 1 prospects. A gamer with three-level scoring capability, there’s not enough high major attention coming Taylor’s way yet.
UNLV has extended an offer to the sophomore guard. Iowa, Wisconsin, and others have been expressing interest this season.