10 Best: Liberty (Mo.) vs. Shawnee Mission North (Kan.)
LIBERTY, Mo. — The final game of the annual 810Varsity Tip Off classic featured Liberty (Mo.) pulling out a hard-fought win over Shawnee Mission North. MVP: Grant Stubbs (6’6, F, 2020, Liberty). Stubbs brings energy, length and terrific athleticism to…
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Continue ReadingLIBERTY, Mo. — The final game of the annual 810Varsity Tip Off classic featured Liberty (Mo.) pulling out a hard-fought win over Shawnee Mission North.
MVP: Grant Stubbs (6’6, F, 2020, Liberty). Stubbs brings energy, length and terrific athleticism to the floor. He was all over the offensive glass, getting put backs, cleaning up misses and making himself available along the baseline. He can handle it a little in transition, able to take the ball coast-to-coast. He is a strong rebounder, and a versatile def4ender, able to switch from a post to a wing and move his feet in space. Stubbs also shows a nice 3-point shooting stroke.
Offensive Performer: Grant Stubbs (6’6, F, 2020, Liberty). Normally we would select different players for MVP and best offensive performer, but there was really no contest here as Stubbs was the leading scorer in the game by a wide margin. He scored 14 points in the first half, knocking down a 3, getting to the free throw line and showing the kind of motor that makes life difficult for opposing teams.
Best passer: Jermaine Booker (6’2, G, 2020, Liberty). Booker made several highlight reel type assists driving the lane and dropping the ball off for easy lay-ins.
Best rebounder: James Kinder (6’6, PF, 2019, Liberty). A strong, physical interior player, Kinder is an old-school low post player who does most of his work in the paint at the offensive end of the floor. He cleaned up several misses with put backs and was the game’s leading rebounder, hauling in five boards in the first half and finishing with 12.
Best Defender: Alex Roush (6’2, G, 2019, Liberty). The Liberty QB is a role player for the Blue Jays on the hardwood, willing to play his role whether it’s playing tough defense, knocking down an open shot and making a smart pass.
Most Improved: Zach Nelspn (5’11, G, 2020, SMN). Nelson struggled at times with turnovers and shot selection, but he played an aggressive, downhill style of basketball and didn’t back down. He led the Indians with eight first-half points, including six of his team’s 12 points in the second quarter. He is a crafty ball handler and brings a big motor to the floor as well.
Most versatile: KT Harris (6’1, G, 2019, SMN). Harris put points on the board for the Indians, giving SMN some much needed offensive punch, showing the ability to score in a variety of ways. He showed the ability to score in transition got some easy points in the paint and worked hard at both ends of the floor.
Best off the Bench: Michael Harris (6’1, P, 2021, SMN). There wasn’t a lot of scoring off the bench for either team, but Harris came in and provided a lot of solid minutes in the paint as the Indians battled a bigger Liberty team in the paint. Harris is an undersized forward who uses his body and strength well to push players out of the lane and showed good, strong hands, catching passes from teammates and laying it in.
Best Youngster: Kellen Goodwin (6’5, F, 2021, Liberty). Goodwin is a terrific run and jump athlete who came off the bench on Saturday to provide a big spark for the Blue Jays. He runs the floor exceptionally well, can alter shots around the basket and is a good rebounder, able to climb the ladder and secure tough boards.