Five Takeaways: Alton Tip-Off Classic
St. Mary’s defeated host Alton 75-67 to win the championship of the Alton Tip-Off Thanksgiving Classic for the second consecutive year. Here are five takeaways from the final day of the tournament.
St. Mary’s thrives without its floor general: What made the Dragons 4-0 record and championship more impressive is that they played without stellar 2019 point guard Yuri Collins, who is one of the best in the class in the state. Without Collins to run the show, the Dragons utilized a variety of ball handlers who did a nice job of keeping the ball moving with the points mounting up in a hurry.
St. Mary’s will be a Class 4 state contender: The Dragons won 24 games and lost a overtime heartbreaker to eventual state champion Vashon in the sectional playoffs. With Collins out, new coach Bryan Turner leaned on his senior standouts Antonio Burks, Yahuza Rasas, Dominic Mitchell, Miles Jones, Lavell Harris and Donavanne Austin to take the tournament title. When Collins returns in the next week or so, look for the Dragons to be a prime contender with its talent and experience to take that next step.
Dominic Mitchell emerges as a big factor: 6’3″ 2018 wing Dominic Mitchell of St. Mary’s emerged as a prime scoring threat throughout the tournament. A versatile combo forward with an old-school game, the MICDS transfer spent last season making the adjustment to his new team. In the early part of the season, Mitchell displayed impressive scoring chops from different parts of the floor. He scored 26 in the opening game and 22 points in the championship game against Alton, including four 3-pointers. He can score in the paint, off the drive and his perimeter shooting has really improved.
Kobe Smith can really score: Ritenour’s Kobe Smith has a chance to be one of the leading scorers in the St. Louis metro area this season. The 6’4″ 2018 wing can score from just about anywhere on the floor. He displayed athleticism and excellent shooting range from 3-point territory. He had a high of 31 points in Ritenour’s victory over O’Fallon on opening night. Smith also has a green light in the Huskies’ up-tempo offense.
Aaron Brookins is a hidden gem: The 6’2″ 2018 guard of Carnahan is an impressive talent who can do a lot of things. Brookins scored 22 points in Carnahan’s consolation final against O’Fallon. He is a long, wiry player who is very skilled on the perimeter with his handle and jump shooting. He is also a dangerous player from the mid-post area where he displayed some nice moves to get to the basket, as well as a pull up jumper.