Impact transfers produce holiday championships
There have been a number of excellent transfers that have been making a big impact around the state of Missouri this season. This was quite evident during the holiday tournaments last week when some of those newcomers came up big for their teams that won championships. Here is a look at those impact transfers.
Xavier Ball (Hazelwood Central): The 6’7″ 2018 transfer from Texas has been a big addition to the Hawks with his size and versatile skill set. Ball scored a game-high 24 points in the Hawks’ 67-61 victory over St. Mary’s in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament. His 3-pointer from the wing with less than two minutes to play broke a 56-56 tie and gave the Hawks the lead to stay. Ball averaged nearly 15 points a game in the tournament.
Rich Johnson (Lee’s Summit West): Another transfer from Texas, the 2019 guard had a tremendous run in leading the Titans to the championship of the William Jewell Classic Cardinal Division. Johnson scored 26 points in the Titans’ victory over Raytown in the semifinals. He followed up with 28 points in a 66-60 victory over Liberty in the championship game. Johnson was 10 for 15 from the field, including four 3-pointers.
Yor Anei (Lee’s Summit West): The 6’10” 2018 transfer from Kansas was a pillar of inside strength in the Titans run to the William Jewell Classic championship in the Cardinal Division. In the finals against Liberty, Anei had 16 points, five rebounds and five blocks in the Titans’ 66-60 victory. The Oklahoma State signee is one of the most imposing rim protectors in the state.
Jaron Thames (Trinity): A transfer from Atlanta, the 6’4″ 2019 wing led the Titans to the championship of the MICDS Holiday Tournament. Thames scored a team-high 15 points in a 60-39 victory over Duchesne in the championship game. Thames had a breakout performance in Trinity’s 71-48 victory over No. 3 seed Francis Howell in the quarterfinals. He scored a game-high 25 points, including a scintillating 16-point performance in first quarter where he knocked down mid-range jumpers, 3-pointers, driving layups while dropping three nice dimes in the process.
Parker Long (Sikeston): A transfer from Alabama, the 6’1″ Long played a huge role in the Bulldogs’ run to the St. Dominic Tournament championship. With top player Fred Thatch out with an ankle injury, Long was one of the players to step up with big plays and increased scoring. In the championship game against Fort Zumwalt West, Long scored 16 points and made five 3-pointers, including the game-winning trey with four seconds left to give the Bulldogs a 65-63 victory.