Arch Elite Showcase: Friday Night Standouts
Prep Hoops Missouri was in attendance at the Arch Elite Showcase on Friday night at the Center of St. Louis Sports. Here are some of the standouts from the first night of action:
Donyae McCaskill 6’2″ Knights Basketball Academy 17U: The dynamic 2019 wing player from Vashon had the most impressive play of the night with an ridiculous windmill dunk in transition that got a wow from everyone. He is a physical beast who can get to the basket whenever he wants with his strength and explosiveness to finish at the rim. He scored an easy 22 points in his team’s first pool play victory.
Sekou Delembe 6’8″ Gateway 17U: The 230-pound 2018 power forward was a force in Gateway’s victory of Arsenal Hoops. He opened the game with three offensive rebounds and a three-point play, which set the tone for his dominant night. He finished with close to 20 points and 20 rebounds as he played with a high motor to go along with his physicality. He rebounded out of his area on both ends. It was an impressive performance.
Sofara Rasas 6’4″ Arsenal Hoops 16U/17U: The lanky 2020 wing player from St. Mary’s had a very busy and productive day as he played two games at the 17u and 16U levels. In his first game, he played 17U and scored a team-high 16 points against Gateway. He is very athletic and did an excellent job of slashing to the rim for buckets in the halfcourt and in transition. He also displayed an improved 3-point stroke.
E.J. Bellinger 6’4″ Gateway 17U: A smooth scoring 2019 wing from Fort Zumwalt South who had 18 points in a victory over Arsenal Hoops. He had a quiet first half as he let the game come to him, but he erupted for 15 points in the second half as he scored on 3-point jumpers, slashing drives and a dunk in transition. He ability to score at all three levels makes him tough to defend.
Steven Wright 6’5″ Knights Basketball Academy 17U: A hard working 2019 forward from Webster Groves who scored a game-high 25 points in his team’s first win in pool play. There’s not a lot of flash to his game. Just a lot of activity and athleticism around the basket, which makes for a lot of production. He is an excellent finisher on the baseline and he’s tough to keep off the offensive glass, where he got buckets.
Xavier Drummond 6’4″ Arsenal Hoops 16U: A good-sized 2020 wing from Parkway North displayed his usual drive and high motor on both ends of the court. What was really on point was his 3-point shooting, which has become a much improved part of his game. He made five of them on Friday night, each on high-arching rainbows off the catch. He also scored on a couple of coast to coast drives.
Javon Fultz 6’3″ St. Louis Shooting Stars 17U: An athletic 2019 wing from Hazelwood East who consistently made plays for his team on both ends of the court. He was a resourceful offensive player who got buckets on drives, offensive rebounds and in transition. He just played hard and got things done against bigger opponents.