Mehlville vs. DeSmet: The Best Of…
The Mehlville Panthers took on the DeSmet Spartans in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament on Monday night at Lafayette High. Prep Hoops Missouri was on hand to watch the No. 1 Panthers defeat No. 2…
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Continue ReadingThe Mehlville Panthers took on the DeSmet Spartans in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament on Monday night at Lafayette High. Prep Hoops Missouri was on hand to watch the No. 1 Panthers defeat No. 2 seed DeSmet 68-55 to win the championship.
Here is a look at the Best Of from Monday night’s Coaches vs. Cancer Championship Game:
MVP: Lamontay Daugherty (Mehlville) – The 6’7″ 2020 forward had a huge performance with 25 points to lead all scorers. He has really come into his own as an impact player over the past few weeks. He dominated the offensive glass with putbacks and constantly got to the basket off the bounce and finished over the top of smaller defenders. His size and versatility were on full display during one dominant performance.
Best Passer: Dylan Branson (Mehlville) – The Panthers’ leading scorer was more of a facilitator on Monday night as he dropped some impressive dimes to set up teammates for wide open looks from 3-point range. His court vision is excellent and at 6’5″, he can see over any defender and hit a teammate with a pinpoint pass.
Best Slasher: Jeremiah Walker (DeSmet) – The 6’2″ 2021 guard can really get his offense going off the bounce. He is very good when he is getting downhill, but he can also change directions with escape dribbles and spin moves to get to the basket. He is also a good finisher in traffic with layups and floaters.
Best Low Post Player: Davion Bradford (Mehlville) – The 7’0″ Kansas State signee was a pillar of strength inside as he went against DeSmet’s twin towers of Yaya Keita and Sekou Gassama. He established post position very well and had some tough moves and finishes around the basket. He passed well out of the double team and showed some much improved footwork.
Best Shot Blocker: Sekou Gassama (DeSmet): In a game full of excellent rim protectors, the 6’10” 2021 forward gets the nod here. When he entered the game in the first quarter, he promptly blocked two shots and altered another one. He has excellent length and good timing to block shots without fouling.
Best Defender: King Waller (Mehlville) – The powerfully built 6’2″ 2020 guard is a bulldog as an on-ball defender with physical strength and the footwork to keep ball handlers in front of him. An excellent player on the football field, Waller brought that kind of physicality to the basketball court as he hounded DeSmet’s young guards.
Best Young Prospect (2022): Brian Taylor (DeSmet): The 6’2″ point guard is a long and rangy athlete who handled the ball well and had some impressive takes to the basket. He has a nice pull up mid range jumper and some explosive athletic ability. He had one chase down block when he pounded the ball off the glass and got the crowd to their feet. He has a big upside.
Best Young Prospect (2023): Justin Duff (DeSmet): A 6’3″ freshman is getting his feet wet at the varsity level with minutes in some big games. He has good size and a nice stroke from 3-point range. He can handle the ball and has a nice feel for the game.