MICDS Tip-Off Tournament: Top Teams

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri was in the house on Monday for the first round of the MICDS Tip-Off Tournament. Here is a look at the four first-round winners; which were Lift for Life, MICDS, Francis Howell Central and Westminster Christian.</p> <p>The scores for the four first round games:</p> <p>Lift for Life 65 St. Charles West 50</p> <p>Westminster Christian 48 St. Dominic 45 (OT)</p> <p>MICDS 67 Metro 35</p> <p>Francis Howell Central 55 Riverview Gardens 45</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Lift for Life</strong></p> <p>The Hawks entered the week with a tournament championship already under their belt as they won the Metro East Lutheran Thanksgiving Tourney title last weekend in Illinois. Lift for Life is small, but they are quick and deep and will apply full court pressure for the entire game. They feature a bevy of Class of 2020 guards in 6’1" [player_tooltip player_id="824158" first="Barcus" last="Jackson"], 6’2" [player_tooltip player_id="824122" first="Demarcus" last="Sanford Jr."], 6’2" Rico Singleton and 6’2" Tevon Wiley. The lone senior in the starting lineup is 6’3’ forward Dakari Gray, who plays much bigger with his high motor around the basket. The Hawks will play ten different players to keep the pressure up, plus should regain the services of 6’5" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822930" first="Corey" last="Sparkman"] and 6’3" 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="822911" first="Demarius" last="Haywood"] soon.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>MICDS</strong></p> <p>The Rams are a team on the rise with a tall and talented young team without a senior in the rotation. They have excellent length with four players who are 6’7" in the starting lineup. It starts with 6’7" 2022 Brandon Mitchell-Day, who plays every position on the floor, including point guard. [player_tooltip player_id="824141" first="Jack" last="Pronger"] is a 6’7" 2021 forward who can shoot the 3-pointer and attack the offensive boards while 6’7" 2021 wing [player_tooltip player_id="824175" first="Nick" last="Roper"] is an emerging talent with 3-point shooting range and three-level scoring ability. The top inside player is 6’7" 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="824154" first="Aaron" last="Hendricks"] while 6’1" 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="824164" first="Hasani" last="Spann"] is instant offense with his 3-point shooting.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Francis Howell Central</strong></p> <p>The Spartans are a solid team that will play good defense with a number of players who are capable of facilitating the offense. The top player is 6’1" 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="824149" first="Myles" last="Estrada"], who scored 16 points in the victory over Riverview Gardens. He is an excellent 3-point shooter who can also score in the paint and drop dimes. Gabe Dickerson is a 5’10" 2020 point guard who is quick and can get into the lane while 6’2" 2020" forward Logan Scott and 6’2" 2020 forward Jonathon Gardner are capable ball handlers and playmakers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Westminster Christian</strong></p> <p>The Wildcats have some excellent young talent on the roster, but the leader of the pack is 6’3" 2020 forward Brennan Orf, who came through with some big inside buckets in the overtime period. He has a nice power game in the paint. The top young prospect is 5’10" 2022 point guard Casen Lawrence, who has slick handles and a nice 3-point shot. Other good young talent in the fold is rangy 6’3" 2022 Caleb Thompson, 6’0" 2022 guard EJ Williams, 6’0" 2023 guard Kobi Williams and 6’7" 2022 forward Austin Vick.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Remaining Schedule</p> <p>Wednesday, December 4 (Semifinals)</p> <p>MICDS vs. Howell Central, 6:45 p.m.</p> <p>LIft for Life vs. Westminster Christian, 8:15 p.m.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Friday, December 6</p> <p>Championship Game, 8:15 p.m.</p>