2018 State Farm Holiday Classic championship: Rock Island vs. Kenwood player evaluations
Rock Island and Kenwood battled buzzer-to-buzzer in the State Farm Holiday Classic finale, which included a buzzer-beater to force overtime.
The Rocks came away with a 71-67 win while the Broncos believe they’ve found a holiday tournament home after bouncing around the past several years.
Here is what several key contributors showed from both teams in the championship game.
ROCK ISLAND
JaMir Price (2019, G, 6-foot-2) – 21 points (6-11/1-2/8-9), 3 rebounds, 2 assists 1 steal
The Bradley recruit showed he is comfortable with the ball in his hands late in the game. Price hit all four of his free-throw attempts in overtime and scored 14 of his points in the second half or overtime. He didn’t shoot it from the perimeter but passed up a good shot for a better shot. He is quick and his motor doesn’t stop on either end of the court.
Taurean Holtam (2020, F, 6-foot-4) – 17 points (5-12/2-3/5-9), 4 rebounds
Haltom showed some inefficiency scoring in the first half but tightened it up, including going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter. He showed good energy in crashing the glass and confidence in his shot, despite a slow start. When facing an open shot, he rose with confidence and hit a pair of treys.
Solomon Gustafson (2020, F, 6-foot-7) – 14 points (7-9/0-0/0-0), 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Gustafson was fearless going against 6-foot-8 Seryee Lewis (2020) and showed more energy early on than his opponent. Gustafson used great footwork to get in position to crash the offensive glass, which led to several stick backs. He ran the floor well and challenged Lewis on the defensive end. The next step in his game will be developing a consistent jump shot and adding strength.
Jordan Rice (2021, G, 5-foot-8) – 8 points (2-6/2-5/2-2), 2 assists, 1 rebound
Rice is a quick guard that is a skilled ball-handler and can go against pressure. He was confident in his 3-point shot. His development over the next couple of years will be key as he needs to add strength and become a more versatile player as his role expands.
KENWOOD
Seryee Lewis (2020, F, 6-8) – 20 points (9-13/1-1/1-1) 7 rebounds
Lewis was the most consistent player on the court and his efficiency showed. He was dominant in the post, showing skilled moves and strength. He overcame early hiccups boxing out in the first half to secure seven rebounds. He didn’t show an much of an offensive threat beyond the post but he didn’t need to. However, he sent the game to overtime after a timeout with a corner 3-pointer. Lewis holds offers from Yale, Brown, Columbia, Saint Louis, Southern Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, Western Illinois and Milwaukee, among others according to Verbal Commits.
WATCH: Seryee Lewis ties the game at 60 with one second left to send @KenwoodSports and @RockyHoops to overtime in @sfclassic LSB title game. @michaelsobrien @joehoopsreport pic.twitter.com/zw2e5MjGdl
— Aaron Ferguson (@Sports_Aaron) December 30, 2018
Roland McCoy (2020, G, 6-foot-1) – 17 points (7-11/3-6/0-0), 2 rebounds
Like Lewis, McCoy was efficient with scoring. He is athletic enough to get to the rim her pull up for a mid-range jumper, and then he can hit a 3-point catch-and-shoot opportunity. McCoy got sharper as the game went on, going 5-for-7 in the second half and overtime and 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
Artese Stapleton (2019, G, 6-foot-1) – 14 points (7-17/0-3/0-0), 3 assists, 2 steals
Stapleton struggled offensively while showing a limited scoring ability. He missed on all of his perimeter shots and looked to drive. One thing that is troublesome is he didn’t get to the free throw line despite driving. Stapleton was active as a passer and showed quick hands defensively by getting a pair of steals leading to run outs. His only scholarship offer, per Verbal Commits, is to Lewis University.
Darnell King (2020, F, 6-foot-5) – 8 points (4-4/0-0/0-3) 5 rebounds, 1 block
King picked up his third foul with 2.2 seconds left in the first quarter but played key minutes in the second and third quarters without fouling. Though he would eventually foul out, King was strong on the glass and added a life offensively.