Eight Intriguing Prospects: Davenport West (74) vs. Geneseo IL (44)
ROCK ISLAND — A competitive game for four minutes was blown wide open by an efficient Davenport West attack, as the Falcons were in control nearly wire-to-wire in a dominating win over Geneseo, 74-44, on Saturday afternoon at the 24th annual Genesis Shootout. The win gives Iowa a 2-0 edge over Illinois in the Shootout, as Davenport Central beat Riverdale in the opener.
West shot 78.9% (15-19) from the floor in the first half, while limiting Geneseo to 40%, en route to building up a 38-20 halftime lead. A large majority of the Falcons offense came inside the paint against a much smaller Geneseo team. They were able to score at the rim routinely, whether that came in transition or the halfcourt, and Geneseo simply had no answer for the length and athleticism of the Falcons on either end of the floor.
Davenport West was led by Trey Sampson, who had a game-high 26 points. Ten Falcons scored in the win, and they shot 61.7% from the floor as a team. Brett Erwin added nine points and eight rebounds, and Jalen Smith and Aaron Gilliland each had eight points.
Geneseo was led by Isaiah Rivera, who had 22 points in the loss. Ty Johnson was the only other player in double figures, finishing with 11.
Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
Davenport West | 17 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 74 |
Geneseo IL | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 44 |
Davenport West: Trey Sampson 26, Brett Erwin 9, Jalen Smith 8, Aaron Gilliland 8, Jamil Haymond 6, Kenny Clay 5, Balene Mitchell 4, Malik Westerfield 3, Quenton Dempsey 3, Drew Loving 2
Geneseo IL: Isaiah Rivera 22, Ty Johnson 11, Jarron Nordstrom 5, Jacob McConnell 4, Colton Garcia 2
6-8 F Trey Sampson (Davenport West, 2018)
A 6-8 combo forward who has really started to come in his own, Sampson put together a huge game for the Falcons. He had 20 first half points, and showed the ability to score in a variety of ways. He got to the free throw line after attacking from the wing. He scored on post touches, showing impressive footwork and finishing ability. He knocked down a 3. In all, he was dominant. He has great length and is a good athlete, which provides some versatility on the defensive end. His jumper is a little flat, but he’s a fine shooter. He’s a good passer, especially out of the post, and he rebounds at a high level. Would be a really nice player for a D3 school, and could turn into a D2 player as he cleans up and hones his skill set.
6-8 C Brett Erwin (Davenport West, 2018)
The 6-8 big man got into a bit of foul trouble in the first half, which limited his stat line, but he still finished with nine points and eight rebounds in the blowout win. Almost everything he does on post touches is done with the left hand, and he’ll need to develop his right hand if he wants to turn into a major player. But he has great hands, rebounds at a high level and finishes around the rim. He’s a mobile big man who runs the floor and can move his feet on the defensive end, and uses his length to block or alter shots. He’s an intriguing player for area JuCos to be looking at.
5-8 PG Kenny Clay (Davenport West, 2018)
The diminutive point guard does a great job of getting his teammates involved, both in transition and in the halfcourt. He has tremendous vision and passing ability, dishing out seven assists for the Falcons. He does a nice job looking ahead to push the tempo when the opportunity presents itself, but he also made some great passes in the halfcourt setting, squeezing passes into tight spaces. He’s among the better guards I’ve seen at making entry passes into the post. He’s a capable scorer with a great first step that he uses to blow by defenders, but he’s at his best when he’s setting his teammates up.
6-4 SF Isaiah Rivera (Geneseo, 2020)
Rivera is one of the most highly regarded players in Illinois’ 2020 class, with Prep Hoops Illinois ranking him No. 4. He’s a big-bodied, physical wing with strength and athleticism to burn. At 6-4, he can play a number of spots, and defend a number of positions. His body control around the rim was incredibly impressive. He can contort his body in ways to avoid the contact, while also still finding a way to finish. His jumper is streaky but he gets good rotation on his shot and consistency should come with more repetition. He handles the ball well and can make plays for his teammates. There are a lot of tools here, and it’s clear to see why he’s on the radar of several Power 5 programs.
6-0 G Balene Mitchell (Davenport West, 2018)
Mitchell is a role player alongside the Falcons’ “Big Three” and he provides lots of athleticism on the wing. He’s a solid defender, especially on-ball, with good lateral movement and length. He competes on the glass, runs the floor for transition buckets and can occasionally break down a defender and get to the rim.
6-3 PF Ty Johnson (Geneseo, 2019)
Johnson was the only other quasi-threat Geneseo had besides Rivera in this game. He showed the ability to score effectively inside with either hand. He’s an undersized four who could turn himself into a stretch four with some work. He knocked down a 3 in the game, but showed lots of hesitation with open looks throughout the contest.
5-11 PG Jalen Smith (Davenport West, 2018)
A compact, big and physical point guard, Smith serves as a quality backup for Clay. He proved to be a capable shooter from the arc, knocking down both of his attempts. He keeps the ball moving on the offensive end, and on defense he makes life difficult for opposing guards, routinely picking them up full court and making them work.
6-4 F Aaron Gilliland (Davenport West, 2018)
Gilliland came off the bench to provide eight points and four rebounds. He’s a quality mid-range shooter who competes on the glass and works on the defensive end of the floor. Has good size and can knock down open looks.