FIVE TAKEAWAYS: Hogan Prep (Mo.)- Leavenworth (Kan.)
FIVE TAKEAWAYS: Hogan Prep (Mo.)- Leavenworth (Kan.)
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Hogan Prep continues to show why they are a force in Missouri Class 3 as the Rams ran away with a contest against Leavenworth on Thursday in the opening round of the 23rd annual Leavenworth Tournament.
Hogan Prep led 72-39 at the end of three quarters and cruised to a 76-56 win.
Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at five takeaways from the contest.
Reese Williams a talented forward
There weren’t a lot of highlights on Thursday for Leavenworth (Kan.) in the opening round against Hogan Prep. But most of them were provided by Williams, a skilled 6’6 forward who combines good size with a terrific skill set for a forward. He likes to post up and he combines terrific footwork with a feel for scoring in the paint. But Williams is also comfortable facing up, playing on the perimeter over at at the high post. He is a good ball handler for a post and is a tough match-up for opponents.
Hogan Prep a contender in Class 3
One year after placing third at the Missouri Class 3 Final Four, Hogan Prep appears to be an early season favorite to return this season. They have terrific guard play, have several players who can get buckets, but a lot of their success starts at the defensive end where they bring relentless pressure. Teams that fail to handle it or turn the ball over are going to struggle against the Rams.
Marty Jackson underrated forward
A 6’5 2018 forward, Jackson is slight of build and looks like he would get pushed around in the paint, but he more than holds his own. He brings activity and a big motor to the paint where he often outworks opponents for easy buckets. Jackson is a terrific outside shooter, especially out of the corners, and is a threat to knock down 3-pointers. He had 15 against Leavenworth, but sat much of the game as the Rams played its reserves extended minutes in the one-sided game.
Rodvon Jennings gets buckets
A 5’11 guard, Jennings has been the odd man out through the teams first couple of games, scoring just two points in games against Lincoln Prep and Blue Valley Northwest. But he is a talented scorer and was the teams second leading scorer a year ago averaging more than 10 per game and showed off his ability to put it in the bucket on Thursday. Jennings scored 16 points and had it all working, knocking down several tough mid-range jumpers as well as a 3.
What If? …
What if O’mar Stanley, a talented 6’8 2020 PF, was still at Hogan Prep? Oh boy. The Rams would be a huge favorite to win a Missouri Class 3 state title. Stanley got some burn for Hogan Prep last year as a freshman, but he has grown a ton over the past year, but physically, from 6’5 to 6’8, as well as on the court, transforming into one of the better young prospects in the Kansas City area. Hogan Prep doesn’t have a lot of size and Stanley would have have given the Rams a big man who can also run the floor. He is now at Blue Valley West, who also played on Thursday, and showed off an improved all-around game going for 19 points and 15 rebounds while many of his former Hogan Prep teammates stuck around and watched.