Pattonville Tournament: Wednesday Standouts (2018/2019)
Prep Hoops Missouri was in attendance at the Pattonville Tournament on Wednesday night. In the semifinals, Whitfield defeated McCluer while Jennings rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat Trinity to set up a rematch of last year’s championship game when Jennings edged Whitfield for the title.
Here is a look at some of the top Class of 2018 and 2019 standouts from the second day of the tournament.
Kyle Younge, Jr. 5’10” Jennings: The 2018 point guard scored a game-high 31 points in the Warriors’ comeback victory over Trinity in the semifinals. Younge is a real gamer. He loves the action of high pressure situations and can really take over the game. With his team trailing in the fourth quarter, he went to work with 3-pointers, drives to the basket and transition buckets to bring his team back. He’s tough and fearless and loves the big moment.
Torrence Watson 6’5″ Whitfield: The Mizzou recruit scored 28 points in the Warriors victory over McCluer in the semifinals. He started a little slow on offense in the first half, but as the game wore on, he willed himself on the game as he attacked the basket relentlessly while knocking down a couple of 3-pointers. He also displayed a nice game in the low post where he can use his size to shoot over smaller defenders.
Amechi Ramsey 5’9″ Whitfield: The 2018 combo guard scored 26 points in the Warriors semifinal victory over McCluer. He has the ability to score in several different ways. He can shoot the ball from distance, but he has the ability to drive and finish at the basket with his speed and quickness.
Jordan Brown 6’5″ Jennings: The 2018 forward is a long and wiry performer who scored 13 points in the victory over Trinity. He came big in the fourth quarter with nine points to help spark the Warriors’ late rally. He is skilled an athletic with the ability to knock down an open 3-pointer. He is also a very good offensive rebounder who slashes into the open spots for put backs.
Darrian McBride 6’4″ Hazelwood East: The 2018 forward scored 16 points in the Spartans victory over Maplewood in the consolation bracket. A solidly built young man, McBride is a bull in a china shop who plays a physical brand of basketball. He loves to seek contact every time he drives to the basket. When he gets there, he did a nice job of finishing.
Jaron Thames 6’4″ Trinity: A transfer from Atlanta, the smooth 2019 scored 16 points in the Titans’ loss to Jennings. He opened up the game with a nice 3-pointer from the wing. In the second half, he did most of his damage around the basket as he scored in transition and finished well on the back end of the press.
Michael Horton 6’6″ Hazelwood East: The bouncy 2018 forward scored 10 points in the Spartans victory over Maplewood. He is a little raw offensively, but I liked him because he plays with a lot of zeal and activity, especially when it comes to rebounding.