The Best: Muskogee vs Jenks
The final in the Large School portion of the Bedouin Shrine Tournament was contested between Muskogee and Jenks. For much of the fist half Muskogee had control of the game, but was only up by one point at the half. Jenks took advantage of this in the second half. They took control of the game and forced Muskogee to play from behind. Late in the fourth quarter Muskogee tied it at 51, but Jenks composed themselves and finished off the game with a 55-53 victory.
MVP: Ike Houston 2020 Jenks Guard
Ike Houston was the name that was pronounced tonight so much that it got stuck in your head. He played well throughout the first half hitting big shot after big shot. He got quiet in the second half but still had a huge impact on the game. He forced Muskogee to turn the ball over on multiple occasions and hit the game-winning free-throws. Houston will be fun player to watch over the next couple years and will make Jenks a dangerous team to face.
Offensive MVP: Brooks Haddock 2018 Muskogee Guard
Brooks Haddock was quiet by his standards tonight, but still led Muskogee in scoring. Jenks keyed on Haddock and forced him to hit shots while tightly guarded all night long. Haddock has one of the smoothest shots in the state and is hard to stop. He scored 13 points against really tough defense. If Muskogee could of found a way to get him the ball more in open positions, he could have went off. Haddocks will be a player to keep an eye on as he could have a big game at any point because of his shooting abilities.
Defensive MVP: Blake Seacat 2018 Jenks Guard
Blake Seacat had a great tournament this week. He performed at a higher level than he has in the past. His improvement is obvious on the court with his performance. He used his length on the defensive side of the game to disrupt shots. He played tight defense throughout the night. He pestered the other teams and forced them to make dumb mistakes and turn the ball over. Seacat finished the game with 8 points.
Best Aspect of the Game:Jenks Manager recognition
The best part of the championship game that was tightly contested actually had nothing to do with basketball. The Bedouin Shrine recognized the Jenks manager, who has special needs, with an award. The crowd cheered as he was recognized with the special presentation. It showed that some things are bigger than basketball in one of the best feel-good moments of the season.
The Best Prospect: CJ Parks 2018 Muskogee Forward
CJ Parks was the most physically dominant player on the court. He has good size and length that gives him an advantage from the start. He uses his advantage well too. He finishes at the rim with balance showing off his athleticism. Parks struggled offensively today showing that he is still raw in that aspect of his game, but played well in critical moments for Muskogee. Park’s development will be intriguing to watch as Small Schools should keep an eye on him.
Best Under the Radar Player: Eli Harris 2018 Jenks Guard
Eli Harris is the most athletic player for Jenks. He is often the playmaker and depended upon to make plays but tonight he played a different role. Tonight Harris played an under-the-radar game if you looked at stats. However, he did exactly what Jenks needed him to do tonight. He provided leadership when needed. He played tough defense throughout the night and still was decent on the offensive side of the ball. He finished the game with 5 points.