Ten Best: Park Hill (58), Raytown (54)
Ten Best: Park Hill (58), Raytown (54) LIBERTY — In the first of three championship games at the William Jewell Classic on Friday, Park Hill won its second tournament championship of the season, defeating Raytown, 58-54. Scouting report Raytown: This…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTen Best: Park Hill (58), Raytown (54)
LIBERTY — In the first of three championship games at the William Jewell Classic on Friday, Park Hill won its second tournament championship of the season, defeating Raytown, 58-54.
Scouting report
Raytown: This is the third time we have seen Raytown play this season and they have to be in the conversation as one of the Kansas City area’s top teams. They have a pair of good guards in Marcus McGee and Bryan Blanks, a nice wing player in Isiah Burton and one of the tougher 1-2 punches in the paint in Mason Fair and Devin Drew. They’ve put together a nice season already, and while Park Hill had the size to match them inside, most high school teams won’t.
Park Hill: There’s not many teams in the Kansas City area that has more talent on paper than Park Hill. The squad has four high level interior players, two of whom are contributing off the bench, and several talented guards as well. This is the second tournament they’ve won already this season, and it might not be the last.
MVP: Ronnie Bell (Park Hill). Bell, left, was officially named the Most Valuable Player of the Patterson Division by William Jewell event staff after a 17 point performance in the championship game. It is the second time this season Bell has earned an MVP trophy after earning the award following Park Hill’s championship of the Liberty North tournament in early December.
Best offensive performance: Isiah Burton (Raytown). A long rangy wing player, Burton had it working in the first half scoring 14 points to lead his team to a four-point lead at the break. He finished with 18 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. Burton is a versatile offensive player and showed off the different ways he can score in this one. He hit two 3-pointers, scored in transition and also showed off the ability to get to the basket and finish.
Best defensive performance: Mason Fair and Devin Drew (Raytown). Helped keep Park Hill 2019 Roman Wilson scoreless until late in the fourth quarter when the 6’9 big man scored five key points. Fair and Drew are a tough, physical 1-2 punch in the paint for Raytown.
Best shooter: Ronnie Bell (Park Hill). Was 3 for 7 from 3-point range and 4 of 5 from the free throw line. Bell can really dial it up from long distance, has a quick release, good balance and gets nice elevation on his perimeter jumper. He has the ability to be an elite shooter.
Best rebounder: Ronnie Bell (Park Hill). There is a reason he was the MVP. Not only did he pour in 17 points, but Bell was all over the offensive glass, finishng with a game-high five offensive rebounds and eight total.
Best passer: Dru Smith (Park Hill). An athletic guard, Smith is terrific at setting up his teammates and getting other players involved. He finished this contest with three assists.
Best underclassman: Roman Wilson (Park Hill). Long, rangy big man with terrific athleticism that is still learning the game. Wilson was quiet throughout most of this one until the final few minutes of the game when he scored five crucial points to help Park Hill seal the win. He’s one of the best big man prospects in the state.
Name to remember: Nic Zeil (Park Hill). A 6’5 2019 post player, Zeil is a strong, physical player that likes to bang down low. He’s got some good big men playing ahead of him this year, but has a bright future with the Trojans.
Best match-up: Devin Drew (Raytown) vs, Chester Graves (Park Hill). These two were going at it early in the game. Graves is among the state’s premier football recruits with offers from a host of Power 5 programs, while Drew is among the Kansas City area’s top 2018 football prospects. Both bring that same mentality to the basketball court and love to get physical in the paint.